Queensland’s Minister for Resources is focused on securing investment in the state’s critical minerals industry to support demand for electric vehicle batteries and more.
Resources Minister, Scott Steward, is participating in week-long meetings in the US to secure partnerships with government and industry representatives.
The foundations for this mission were laid in June this year at the World Mining Congress where Stewart, alongside Queensland Government officers, met with some of the world’s most influential governments and government investment banks.
Meetings continued in Sydney last month at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) which marked the official start of engagements with the US Government.
The mission will advance talks to secure investment into Queensland’s critical minerals sector.
The Queensland delegation will be accompanied by North America Trade Commissioner, Viki Forrest, and will meet with senior government officials and specialist resource industry investment firms in Washington, DC, and New York City.
Strengthening international connections aligns with important objectives under the $245 million Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy (QCMS) that will maximise economic opportunities and position Queensland as a global leader.
Ahead of the trade mission, Minister Stewart gave a behind the scenes tour of the Critical Minerals Queensland (CMQ) office in Townsville.
CMQ, which is reported to be a cornerstone of the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy, will actively contribute to the development, growth, and success of Queensland’s critical minerals.
It will be a dedicated office to identify opportunities in the industry and foster discussions with proponents, investors, community members, and researchers.
“As demand continues to surge for the critical minerals needed to build wind turbines, solar panels and storage batteries, Queensland will be at the forefront of the next global resources boom,” said Stewart.
He added the CMQ office will play a key role in strategy delivery.
“We want Queensland to be a global leader, supplier and manufacturer of critical minerals, and this trade mission to the US, along with the establishment of CMQ, and the $5 billion CopperString 2032 project will help get us there,” said Stewart.
“In the North West Minerals Province alone there is potentially $500 billion of critical mineral deposits which CopperString will help unlock.
“These opportunities are all under threat from the LNP and their cuts plan – they don’t support progressive coal royalties – which means they will cut CopperString.”
In other news, the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has announced Sally Stannard as its new Director-General.
The post Trade mission underway for QLD critical resources appeared first on Trailer Magazine.