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Expressions of Interest open for Queensland critical minerals facility

Expressions of Interest open for Queensland critical minerals facility

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open for a Managing Contractor to deliver what’s said to be an Australian-first processing facility for critical minerals like vanadium.

The state-owned Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF) will be a purpose-built testing and demonstration facility located at the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park in Townsville.

Queensland Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said delivery of the new facility reinforces the state’s commitment to the critical minerals industry in North Queensland.

“Once operational the facility will enable North Queensland to leverage their abundant critical minerals and rare earth elements to secure local supply and meet the growing global demand,” said the Treasurer. “There is already interest from companies in using the facility, and opportunities for jobs, new manufacturing and processing supply chains and investment to North Queensland is expected follow.”

Initially, the facility will focus on vanadium processing and will have the capacity to expand over time to process other critical minerals like cobalt and rare earth elements.

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Vanadium has many uses, including to create a reliable and safe renewable energy storage solution which can be used in large-scale batteries.

“Vanadium is used in redox flow batteries, which have a much greater capacity to be scaled up than other battery technology,” added the Treasurer. “That means this Common User Facility has the potential to play a major role in the delivery of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan.”

The Managing Contractor of the project will be responsible for engaging the consultants, suppliers and trade contractors necessary to develop and construct the QRCUF and may choose to undertake some of the works directly.

The EOI will close on 15 May 2023, with the QRCUF expected to commence operations in 2025.

Following the EOI, the Queensland Government will select a shortlist of respondents to go to a Request for Proposal later in mid-2023.

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