The Queensland government has opened an Australian-first critical minerals processing facility in Townsville, designed to accelerate project development, attract international investment and generate regional jobs.
The Queensland Resources Common User Facility, backed by a AU$146.1 million budget commitment, provides companies with access to specialised equipment to test and scale downstream processing techniques.
By allowing businesses to validate mineral extraction methods without building costly individual demonstration plants, the hub aims to significantly reduce technical risks and build investor confidence.
Initial operations will focus on vanadium processing, with plans to expand into cobalt and rare earth elements over time.
Foundation customer Vecco Group will be the first to utilise the trial site, using it to validate its process for converting vanadium-bearing ore into high-purity vanadium for use in battery manufacturing.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last stated the opening demonstrates that Queensland is serious about growing a globally competitive critical minerals sector.
“Queensland has enormous critical minerals potential, but having the resource in the ground is only the beginning,” Last said.
“Projects need confidence that a process will work at scale, the capability to test and refine, and investment to take a project from concept to commercial reality.”
Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole praised the project as a major victory for Townsville, highlighting the city’s skilled workforce, established infrastructure, and potential to serve as a processing powerhouse.
“This facility is more than just concrete and steel, it is about making sure that the benefits of Queensland’s critical minerals boom are felt right here in Townsville, with more local jobs, stronger businesses and new opportunities for the next generation,” Poole said.
MITEZ CEO Maria James added that the facility reinforces processing capabilities along the Mount Isa–Townsville corridor, helping to secure regional supply chains and create long-term economic opportunities.
With demand rising for resources essential to advanced manufacturing and defence technologies, the new common-user infrastructure aims to keep value-adding processing within Queensland, strengthening Australia’s sovereign capability while boosting local employment across North Queensland.
