- The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments investing to pilot a critical minerals and rare earth elements research centre in Mount Isa.
- Focus on building national capability in critical minerals research and processing.
- Investment vital to boosting the nation’s ability to process critical and strategic minerals.
The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments, along with the Mount Isa City Council, will invest nearly $1 million to pilot a critical minerals and rare earth elements research centre in Mount Isa.
The research centre would focus on building national capability in minerals research and processing through metallurgical testing, piloting and treatment of critical minerals and rare earth elements.
Facilities like the proposed research centre will be vital in boosting Australia’s ability to process critical and strategic materials.
The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments will deliver $241,250 in funding respectively to conduct a feasibility study, while Mount Isa City Council will contribute a further $482,500, creating an overall budget of $965,000.
The funding has been allocated through the Albanese Government’s Critical Minerals National Productivity Initiative (CMNPI).
The CMPNI has enabled states and territories to bring forward feasibility studies into common user mineral processing facilities through the co-funding support.
The Crisafulli Government has funded the project through Critical Minerals Queensland to support the implementation of the State’s recent Delivering Queensland’s Critical Minerals Future 2026-30 Strategy. Minister for Resources Madeleine King said mining was at the heart of Mount Isa and was about adding value to our world-leading resources.
“Mining is at the heart of Mount Isa, and this project is about exploring how the region can build on its proud mining history and play a bigger role in Australia’s critical minerals future,” Minister King said.
“Developing facilities like the proposed Mount Isa research centre will be crucial to growing Australia’s ability to process more of our mineral resources here at home, adding value to our world-leading resources and creating opportunities for local jobs and industry.
“The Albanese Labor Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda is about making more things here, creating more jobs, and ensuring regional communities like Mount Isa share in the economic opportunities our natural resources provide.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Resources and Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm said the funding agreement demonstrated the Albanese Government’s commitment to the State’s regional industrial centres.
“This funding agreement demonstrates the Albanese Government’s commitment to Queensland’s regional industrial centres like Mount Isa,” Assistant Minister Chisholm said.
“Supporting further industry in regional Queensland will help ensure towns like Mount Isa and Cloncurry remain can continue to thrive and seize on the vast opportunities made available through our plan for a Future Made in Australia.
“For decades, resources mined and refined in North West Queensland have powered Australia’s economic development. This is the first step to the next stage of the region’s development and its place in Australia.
“We are proud to be working closely with our states and territories, which is a core part of our government’s Critical Minerals Strategy.”
Queensland Acting Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Tony Perrett said the Crisafulli Government was accelerating the extraction, processing and export of high-quality critical minerals to the world and driving new investment into projects and infrastructure.
“With an estimated $700 billion worth of critical minerals in the North West Minerals Province, Queensland is attracting global interest in developing the industry,” Minister Perrett said.
“This funding is about making sure we have the processing and refining capabilities we need, in the right locations, to build strong supply chains.
“The Crisafulli Government continues to demonstrate its commitment to Queensland’s critical minerals industry opening the Mackay Resources Centre of Excellence Flexi-Lab and the Queensland Resources Common User Facility to prove and scale up downstream minerals processing.”
Mount Isa City Council Mayor Peta Macrae said economic diversification and attracting new industries remained key priorities for Council.
“This feasibility study is an important step in exploring how we can build on our established mining expertise and infrastructure to support critical minerals research, innovation, and advanced processing capabilities right here in North West Queensland,” Mayor Macrae said.
“By working together with the Australian and Queensland Governments, we are laying the groundwork for opportunities that could deliver lasting economic benefits for our city and the wider region.”
