Northwest Mineral, Oil Mine Proposal Gets Green Light

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations The Honourable Jarrod Bleijie
  • Queensland's Coordinator-General has declared QEM Limited's Julia Creek Vanadium and Energy Project a 'coordinated project'.
  • QEM Limited is proposing a greenfield vanadium and oil shale mine approximately 16 km southeast of Julia Creek.
  • Proposed $1.096 billion critical minerals project could create almost 1200 jobs in Northwest Queensland during construction and operation.

A proposed major project that could expand the critical minerals industry in North-West Queensland has gained coordinated-project status.

QEM Limited's proposed $1.096 billion Julia Creek Vanadium and Energy Project would see a greenfield vanadium and oil shale mine along with processing facilities approximately 16 km southeast of Julia Creek, in the McKinlay Shire local government area and within the Julia Creek / Richmond Critical Minerals Zone.

The project aims to produce 10,571 tonnes per annum of high-purity vanadium pentoxide and 313 million litres per annum of transport fuel such as diesel and aviation fuel, over a 30-year mine life.

QEM Limited proposes to refine high-purity vanadium pentoxide on-site and then transport it to Townsville for downstream domestic processing into vanadium electrolyte, which is a key component in the manufacture of vanadium flow batteries.

The project is predicted to create up to 600 jobs over the two-year construction period, and approximately 588 jobs during the mine's operational phase. QEM Limited expects that at least 35% of the operational jobs will be residential, based in Julia Creek or nearby towns. Pending approvals, construction on the project would begin in early 2028, with the commissioning and operational phase expected to begin in late 2029.

The declaration allows the Coordinator-General to facilitate environmental approvals from the Queensland and Australian Governments and involve stakeholder and community consultation processes.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the project aligns to the Queensland Government's agenda for new and expanded mining opportunities across the State.

"This declaration is another example of how Queensland is now open for business under the Crisafulli LNP Government," Mr Bleijie said.

"Regional Queensland is the engine room of our economy and the Queensland Government is focused on creating an environment for growth."

"Through the delivery of timely approvals and the coordination of major projects, the Crisafulli LNP Government will drive new job-creating projects throughout Queensland."

With the wealth of vanadium deposits contained within the McKinlay Shire Council, Mayor Janene Fegan said she recognises the major role this infrastructure project plays in expanding the region's critical minerals industry capabilities for generations to come.

"Projects like these will bring about the opportunity of economic growth that benefits all communities in our region, and we are looking forward to it being sustainable," said Mayor Fegan.

Queensland Coordinator-General Gerard Coggan noted the importance of developing Queensland's critical minerals industry and promoting domestic fuel security through projects like these.

"Delivering major projects is a key priority of the Queensland Government," Mr Coggan said.

"The Office of the Coordinator-General will oversee the project evaluation by all government agencies, requiring an environmental impact assessment with community consultation."

QEM Limited's Managing Director Gavin Loyden expressed the Company's commitment to develop a major long-term project in the North West Minerals Province.

"The dual-commodity nature of our project seeks to address two urgent needs: long-duration energy storage and domestic fuel security.

"The adoption of vanadium flow batteries is accelerating around the world, and Queensland is uniquely positioned to establish a 'pit to battery' manufacturing value chain. QEM Limited will expand its participation in this value chain by processing its vanadium pentoxide into vanadium electrolyte for long-duration batteries," Mr Loyden said.

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