BRISBANE, Queensland, Aug. 17 -- The Queensland Department of the Premier and Cabinet issued text of the following statement:
JOINT STATEMENT
Treasurer, Minister for Energy and Minister for Home Ownership
The Honourable David Janetzki
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training
The Honourable Ros Bates
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development
The Honourable Dale Last
* Up to 200 construction jobs and 60 ongoing roles in North West Queensland supported by one of the first investments from the Crisafulli Government's strengthened $250 million Queensland Critical Minerals Fund.
* $20 million investment will unlock one of Queensland's biggest untapped critical mineral deposits.
* TheCrisafulli Government is open for business and delivering more jobs and better services through a stronger economy after Labor's saw anti-mining policies result in missed opportunities and stalledinvestment.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering hundreds of jobs in North West Queensland, with the first investment from the expanded $250 million Queensland Critical Minerals Fund set to unlock one of the State's biggest copper-sulphide deposits.
This year's Budget is strengthening the foundationsforQueensland's critical mineralssector, with anadditional$100 million funding tocapitalise on opportunities which the former Labor Governmentfailed todevelop.
TheboostedQueensland Critical Minerals Fundisacceleratingextraction,processingand exporting ofhigh-qualitycritical mineralsto the world, driving investment in new projects and reopening old minesto process critical minerals from tailings.
The launch of the Delivering Queensland's Critical Minerals Future 2026-2030 strategy is also positioning the State for the next phase of development to meet global demand and respond to restructuring of global supply chains.
Aeon Metalsis one of the first companies to be backedby the expanded fund, witha $20 million investment for its Walford Creek Project.
Thesite isroughly350kmnorth-west of Mt Isaandcontainsanestimated 75 million tonnes of mineral resources like copper, cobalt, zinc, lead,silverand nickel.
The investmentis being led by Queensland Investment Corporation andwillhelpAeon Metalscomplete feasibility studies and resource expansion drilling.
It'sanother example of how the Crisafulli Government is backing regional Queensland and unlocking critical minerals opportunities which went to waste during Labor's decade of decline.
Further investment opportunities to unlock Queensland's critical minerals and deliver more jobs for regional Queensland will be a major focus of the Premier's Trade Mission later this month, with meetings planned with high-level government officials and private investors scheduled.
Treasurer and Energy Minister David Janetzki said this was another example of how the Crisafulli Government is backing regional Queensland.
"The North West Minerals Province is one of the richest mineral producing regions in the world, potentially holding $700 billion in critical minerals,"TreasurerJanetzkisaid.
"Further unlockingcritical mineralsopportunities, which went to waste during a decade under the former Labor Government,will help deliver even more benefittoQueensland's economy.
"Projects like Walford Creek languished under Labor, but the Crisafulli Government is determined to ensure Queenslanders reap the benefits of our natural resources."
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Batessaid the investmentwas another example of the Queensland Critical MineralsFundputtingthe state at the forefrontof the internationalcritical minerals industry.
"The world wants our critical minerals, and bringing these projects to lifewill ensure we make upfor the years Labor wasted by failing toproperly capitaliseon our opportunities," Minister Bates said.
"Critical minerals projects have the potential to transformQueenslandand create the jobs andlong-termeconomic growthin our regionswhich were neglected during Labor's decade of decline."
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Lastsaid Queensland was well positioned to play a leading role in supplying the critical minerals neededfor allied nations to protect their sovereignty and global supply chains.
"Queensland has 51 of the world's critical minerals resources in our backyard and projects like Walford Creek show the scale of the opportunity," Minister Last said.
"TheNorth WestMinerals Province is one of Australia's great resource regions, and this investment is about turning more of its mineral potential into producing projects.
"Walford Creek has the potential to supply the copper and cobalt needed for advanced manufacturing, defence, and technology which is increasingly important for nation's looking to secure their global supply chains.
"The Crisafulli Government isbacking our resources sector to attract investment, get projects moving and create long-term jobs and economic opportunities for regional Queensland."
Aeon Metals Executive Chair Paul Harrissaid the investment will allow them to progress the required studies to begin mining.
"This funding will support key development activities including feasibility studies and resource drilling, as we progress the project towards a final investment decision," Mr Harris said.
"Walford Creek hosts one ofQueensland's largest undeveloped copper-sulphide systems and we look forward to unlocking its potential and delivering long-term value for Queensland through future investment, jobs and economic activity."
Unlocking Queensland's critical minerals will capitalise on the state's natural advantages, driving investmentdelivering long-term economic prosperity for Queenslanders.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT:Joe Hill 0408 962 453
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
