A $39 million expansion project is taking shape at Mount Carbine tungsten mine, with 17 Queensland-based contractors and suppliers getting in on the action so far.

Owner EQ Resources (ASX: EQR) approved the project in June to double the Far North Queensland operation’s crushing capacity while streamlining and automating materials handling functions.

Earthworks are nearing completion, concrete works have been completed in key areas, and the structural steel frameworks for the new wet screen and secondary crusher are in place.

Group investor relations and communications manager Rosalyn MacNeill said the wet-screen chute had been installed on its supporting structure and installation of the wet screen itself would be the next major step in the upgrade.

“This represents visible progress from design through procurement and now into site construction on the $39 million expansion project, which is designed to increase crushing capacity from approximately 1 Mtpa to 2 Mtpa while improving materials handling, plant efficiency and future feed flexibility,” she said.

“The project is progressing safely and in a timely manner.”

Among the businesses working on the expansion project are Cairns-based Dawson Engineering, which is taking care of structural, mechanical and piping installation works.

Emerald-based MCC Group won the earthworks and civil construction contract, while Gladstone’s Thomas Manufacturing is covering conveyor supply and fabrication.

Mareeba’s FNQ Filters is supplying hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, while Northern Switchboard Solutions and Gentec (based in Townsville) are handling the electrical switchboard and generator packages. Townsville-based Thorburn Australia is undertaking the complete electrical and control-system design.

Ms MacNeill said the miner was pleased to be working with an extensive group of Queensland contractors and suppliers across Cairns, Mareeba, Townsville, Gladstone, Emerald and Brisbane.

“The project has engaged over 17 Queensland-based suppliers and vendors to date—14 supplying goods and equipment and three providing services—across both large construction packages and smaller specialist requirements,” she said.

“The Queensland businesses form part of a broader Australian supplier network supporting the expansion, with EQR seeking to source goods and services domestically wherever practicable.”

She said the project would undergo staged commissioning, with project acceptance targeted for the quarter ending March 2027.

Meanwhile, the company shared a milestone on social media this week as the Mount Carbine ore sorting plant passed 2 million tonnes of feed processed.

This was achieved over six years from the beginning of sorting operations in 2020 through to the current configuration based on Tomra XRT (X-ray transmission) sorters.

Key figures:

• 527,443 tonnes processed in 2024 — the highest annual total recorded
• 288,668 tonnes processed during 2026 as at August 24.