Townsville to welcome Australia’s first critical minerals facility
Mineral processing and infrastructure solutions company Sedgman has been appointed managing contractor for the delivery of a critical minerals processing facility in Queensland.
Queensland has access to some of the world’s richest critical mineral-producing areas, with the North West Minerals Province assessed to hold deposits worth $500b.
Sedgeman will work closely with the Queensland Government to develop the design and construction program for the Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF).
The QRCUF will accelerate the development of commercial mining projects in the State, promote investment in advanced mineral manufacturing opportunities and support supply chain and industry development.
Mining companies will be able to trial mining processing techniques, demonstrate project feasibility at scale and provide product samples to accelerate commercial development opportunities.
Queensland Treasurer and Trade and Investment Minister Cameron Dick says the common user facility will ensure the state has a strong mineral future.
“This facility will prepare Queensland for the future of clean energy production through the critical minerals the world needs,” he said.
“This facility will enable smaller mining companies to prove up their product and develop new opportunities for vanadium mining in Queensland.
“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.”
Located at the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park in Townsville, the facility will support the growth of the State’s emerging critical minerals sector.
It’s expected to be operational for vanadium processing in 2025, with capacity to expand over time to incorporate other critical minerals such as cobalt and rare earth elements.
Sedgeman managing director Grant Fraser commented on the facility.
“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 resources driven industries required for our energy transition,” he said.
“We will now begin to engage other Queensland companies to bring this state-of-the-art facility to life.”