Industry forum hears of critical role for rare earth minerals

An industry forum sponsored by Infrastructure Project Solutions has heard Queensland’s rich resources of critical minerals and rare earths could put the state at the centre of global efforts to tackle climate change.

Queensland’s rich resources of critical minerals and rare earths could put the state at the centre of global efforts to tackle climate change, an Infrastructure Association of Queensland forum has been told.

The IAQ Townsville Industry Breakfast Forum was proudly sponsored by Infrastructure Projects Solutions, with our Director Sascha Kurz among the key forum panel members.

A major focus of the event was the recently announced Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF), a mineral processing hub funded by the State Government to trial a range production processes for commercialisation of Vanadium, along with other critical minerals and rare earths.

Critical minerals are used in solar panels, turbines, batteries and other renewables technology and it is estimated that Queensland could be home to more than $500 billion worth of critical minerals projects.

IPS has been appointed as the Principal’s Representative on the QRCUF project to provide management support and oversee the Managing Contractor on behalf of the Queensland Government – an exciting role for our business.

Forum speakers included Scott Stewart MP, Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals, and David Proud, General Manager of Sedgman, which is leading the design and construction of the Townsville demonstration facility.

Mr Scott highlighted the huge opportunities in the Queensland resources sector, particularly in the North West Minerals Province, which would supply critical minerals the world needed for decarbonisation endeavours such as clean energy storage.

The Minister also provided an update on other key infrastructure projects, including CopperString, wind energy, gold mining in Ravenswood and the Broadmeadow Coal Mine.

Meanwhile, Mr Proud told guests the QRCUF would help to accelerate the development of commercial mining projects, promote investment in advanced mineral manufacturing opportunities and enable the development of supply chain and supporting industries.

He also outlined the extensive local and regional Queensland procurement opportunities arising from the project, including subconsultants already appointed and future subcontractors for construction of the QRCUF.

Read more about our role in this project and work in resources sector here.



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