Plans to develop a $75 million common-user critical minerals processing facility in Townsville have taken a leap forward with Sedgman appointed managing contractor.

The state-owned facility is intended to be operational for vanadium processing in 2025, with capacity to expand over time to handle other critical minerals like cobalt and rare earth elements. 

“This facility will enable smaller mining companies to prove up their product and develop new opportunities for vanadium mining in Queensland,” State Treasurer Cameron Dick said.

“The efficient production of vanadium, used in redox flow batteries, could supercharge Queensland’s renewable energy industry.

“As the only facility of its kind in the Asia-Pacific, the facility will also position Queensland at the forefront of innovation and commercialisation to drive advancements in manufacturing, defence, and scientific research.” 

The Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF) will be located at the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park (pictured at top of page).

Sedgman, a CIMIC Group company specialising in mineral processing, is to work closely with the State Government to develop the detailed design and construction program.

Managing director Grant Fraser said Sedgman would now begin to engage other Queensland companies to bring the state-of-the-art facility to life.

“We see the Queensland Government’s initiative to develop a critical minerals common-user facility as a vital step in ensuring Queensland and Queensland companies stay at the forefront of the technology development essential to develop new resource-driven industries required for our energy transition,” Mr Fraser said.

“Minerals processing is at the heart of what we do, and we are pleased to bring our expertise to this unique project based in regional Queensland.”

The QRCUF is expected to accelerate development of commercial mining projects in Queensland, promote investment in advanced mineral manufacturing opportunities, and support supply chain and industry development.

Related: Federal Government beefs up critical minerals backing

“Queensland has some of the world’s richest mineral-producing areas, with major deposits of copper, lead, zinc, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, graphite, vanadium and rare earths,” Resources Minister Scott Stewart said.

“This supply, coupled with the global embrace of sustainability is driving interest in our state and pushing the clean energy transition forward.

“North Queensland in particular is undergoing a great period of change and development as we embrace the opportunities of the renewable energy transition.

“Delivery of this facility, as well as Copperstring 2032 and other initiatives in the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy, will help accelerate resources opportunities to carry us into a new century.”

The State Government has committed $245 million under the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy to unlock new opportunities and support exploration of critical minerals in the North West Minerals Province.