Industry to boost Queensland resources investment

The Queensland Government has opened a targeted expression of interest (EOI) to gain industry input on the next tranche of resources exploration across the state.

The EOI process will ask companies to nominate land for exploration in infill areas adjacent to existing coal and gas tenures to identify areas with resource development potential.

Queensland Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last says the Queensland Government is committed to attracting new investment in the state’s resources.

“Maintaining a strong pipeline of exploration protects the future of Queensland’s resources sector, which returns billions of dollars to Queenslanders,” he said.

“We’re asking industry to tell us where they are interested in exploring, which will inform our decisions over future land exploration releases.”

The process is also open to companies to express an interest in exploring an area with identified vanadium resources near Julia Creak in northwest Queensland.

The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has welcomed the EOI process as a positive move to encourage new investment in Queensland resources projects.

QRC chief executive Janette Hewson says the decision follows recommendations on improved land access from both the QRC and its exploration arm, the Queensland Exploration Council (QEC).

“The move will encourage existing producers and explorers to apply for nearby ground and aligns with QRC’s recommendation to reduce the regulatory burden on the resources industry to support project expansion,” she said.

“Opening up land next to existing coal and gas tenures will help provide opportunities for continued investment and the potential for extending the life of resources projects in Queensland and using existing infrastructure already in place.”

The QRC has announced it will lodge a submission to the Queensland Government’s review of the land release process for the resources sector.