The assessment of a proposed $242.2 million vanadium mine in North West Queensland is one step closer to the finalisation of the terms of reference for an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), the Queensland Government announced.
In particular, the Richmond-Julia Creek Vanadium project is being planned for a site 45 kilometres north of Richmond in the North West Minerals Province.
The project’s sponsor, Richmond Vanadium Technology (RVT), anticipates that over the course of 25 years, the project will generate up to 100 construction employment and 200 permanent operational jobs.
Earlier, the Queensland Government committed $75 million to the construction of an Australian first vanadium and critical minerals demonstration facility at the Townsville State Development Area as part of its support for the growth of the Queensland vanadium sector.
The state has also granted funds for the construction of Vecco Group’s first large-scale commercial vanadium flow battery electrolyte manufacturing facility in Townsville.
“Queensland’s North West Minerals Province is one of the world’s richest mineral producing areas and will support Queensland production of critical minerals for the global renewable energy sector,” Deputy Premier Steven Miles said.
He continued by emphasising that the Richmond-Julia Creek Vanadium project is one of the exciting ideas for the growth of the North West Minerals Province and supports both the Queensland Battery Industry Strategy and the historic Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan of the Palaszczuk Government.
Meanwhile, Resources Minister Scott Stewart said Vanadium is sought after globally for the manufacturing of goods like redox flow batteries that may be constructed on a huge scale to power homes and businesses for extended periods of time.
“There are huge opportunities to grow production of critical minerals in the North West Minerals Province and our investment in Copperstring 2032 and the Queensland Resources Common User Facility will support companies like Richmond Vanadium Technology,” Minister Stewart remarked.
In response to the terms of reference, which call for a thorough analysis of social, economic, and environmental implications, the government said that RVT will now create a draft EIS.
