$650m NQ project is closer to reality
A MULTIMILLION dollar refinery has been declared a ‘prescribed project’, which would support thousands of jobs and “kickstart a new age in industry” in North Queensland. Queensland Pacific Metals plans to build the battery metals refinery in the proposed Lansdown Eco-industrial Precinct south of Townsville.
A Queensland minister can declare a prescribed project if it is of large economic and social benefit to Queensland or a region and gives the Coordinator-general power to intervene, if necessary, in state and local government approval processes to ensure timely decision-making for the project.
If financed, the company wants to begin construction of the proposed Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub in 2022 with the possibility of production commencing in late 2023. Government-backed financier the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility is assessing whether to fund the $650m project, which would process materials for export to Korean companies for use in electric vehicles.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the project’s declaration would support North Queensland.
“The TECH project has the potential to provide a massive boost to Townsville and regional industry,” Mr Miles said.
Mr Miles estimated the project would create about 800 construction jobs with an estimated 1700 jobs, including 300 highly-skilled advanced manufacturing jobs at the facility during its operational phase with an additional 1400 jobs in support industries.
“Now that the prescribed project declaration has been made, the Queensland Coordinator-general can work with project proponent (QPM) to ensure all necessary project approvals are obtained in a timely manner,” he said.
The actualisation of the Lansdown Eco-industrial Precinct would be a major milestone for the city with the project expected to become Northern Australia’s first environmentally sustainable advanced manufacturing, processing and technology hub.
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said the precinct was positioned to spur economic growth and job creation across the region for decades to come.
QPM managing director Stephen Grocott said the facility proposed to process 1.5 million tonnes of ore each year to produce chemicals used to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles. “We will do this in a sustainable manner with industry leading low carbon emissions, zero process liquid discharge and no tailings dam,” he said.
Previously Grocott said the company was working to secure its debt and equity financing needed to reach a final investment decision.
Minister for Resources Scott Stewart said the government had committed $12m to support rail and road infrastructure to develop the Lansdown precinct and assist projects such as the TECH.
“Lansdown and projects like TECH will kickstart a new age in industry that will create jobs that Townsville and North Queensland is ready to take advantage off,” he said. The proposed Lansdown precinct sits nearby other major infrastructure including the Haughton Pipeline duplication water security project and Copperstring 2.0 power transmission project.