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31 July, 2024

North West mines to share in $30 million from state government

The funding is supposed to help the region in the wake of Mount Isa's expected job losses.

By North West Weekly

Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said $30 million will go towards three mining projects in the North West to boost the region’s economy.
Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick said $30 million will go towards three mining projects in the North West to boost the region’s economy.

The state government says a $30 million package will fast track the development of one of the largest copper mines in Australia, as well as phosphate and vanadium projects scheduled for construction, providing about 1000 new jobs across the $500 billion North West Minerals Province.

The funding, called the Mount Isa Mining Acceleration Program, is part of a $50 million package to support Glencore workers and the Mount Isa community following the announced closure of underground copper mining operations at MIM in July 2025.

The state government announced this week that its package would provide $20.7 million to expedite the Harmony Gold Eva Copper Mine Project, which is set to be one of the largest copper mines in Australia.

The project, which is about 95 kilometres north-east of Mount Isa, will generate about 800 construction jobs as well as 450 operational jobs during its expected 15-year operational life.

It was also announced that a $5.7 million allocation would assist the North West Phosphate Paradise South Mine, which is about 130km north-west of Mount Isa, to commence construction about six months earlier than expected.

The open cut mine is forecast to extract about two million tonnes of phosphate ore each year and will generate 74 immediate jobs, with 492 construction jobs and about 245 mining operations jobs set to be created by 2026.

The state government also said that $2.3 million would be allocated to the Vecco Critical Minerals Project at Julia Creek, which will extract vanadium and high-purity alumina that will support downstream battery production in Townsville.

With construction set to commence this year, the Vecco mine is expected to employ about 274 workers from 2026.

Treasurer Cameron Dick said expediting these projects would provide more job opportunities for North West workers.

He said, upon completion, the three were expected to generate about 1000 long-term mining jobs and about 1600 jobs during the construction phases.

“The government has selected these projects to support the people of Mount Isa by providing jobs sooner and diversifying industries and skills across the region,” he said.

“These investments will help unlock opportunities months and years sooner.”

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