More land is being unlocked across Queensland for explorers to identify future resources projects and jobs with the announcement of successful tenderers for minerals and coal tenders in the state’s world-leading North West Minerals Province and the Bowen and Surat basins.
Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said unlocking land for resource exploration – whether it is to uncover coal, gas or minerals – is vital to continuing resource development, whether it’s for mining jobs or royalties to fund our hospitals and schools.
“Exploration is essential for Queensland to keep up with the world’s thirst for tech minerals and our own manufacturing sector’s ongoing need for high-quality base metals,” Dr Lynham said.
“New coal deposits offer energy security and a long term economic future for all Queenslanders.”
Junior explorer Red Metal Limited will soon be able to seek out new zinc, lead, copper and silver deposits across 400 km2of land located 250 km north of Mount Isa.
Another four companies – Denham Coal (a wholly owned subsidiary of Pioneer Coal), Queensland Coal Investments Pty Ltd, Enex Togara Pty Limited and Wandoan Holdings Pty Limited will soon be able to commence exploratory work over 369 km2 total of land in the Bowen and Surat basins. These areas are located near Moranbah, west of Mackay, Blackwater west of Rockhampton and Taroom, west of Maryborough close to existing mines or mining leases.
All explorers have to negotiate land access agreements and fulfil all existing environmental and Native Title requirements before they are granted exploration permits.
The new land release and exploration injection follows a year of good news for the North West Minerals Province, including the completion of the $800 million Northern Gas Pipeline from Tennant Creek in the Territory to the Isa, the opening of Dugald River zinc mine and the re-opening of the Lady Loretta zinc mine.
