The Queensland state government has opened a state-of-the-art minerals processing facility in Mackay to put the state in the critical minerals fast lane.
The Flexi-Lab facility supports testing, innovation, research, development and skills training across the resources sector. It will help Queensland create more value from its resources and new opportunities for the region.
The lab is located at the Resources Centre of Excellence’s Stage 2 Future Industries Hub and will allow researchers and innovators to test, prove and refine mineral processing techniques for a range of critical and strategic minerals.
Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said: “Flexi-Lab gives industry a place to test ideas, refine technology and prove up projects, so they can move faster from concept to commercial reality.
“Mackay is the gateway to Queensland’s mining heartland, and the Flexi-Lab minerals processing facility is about giving businesses the confidence to invest, expand and take advantage of the opportunities in emerging markets, by giving project proponents the tools they need to succeed.”
Resources Centre of Excellence CEO Steven Boxall said the new facility is a pivotal development for the state’s resources sector.
“The Flexi-Lab is a game-changing facility that will help Queensland unlock more value from its resources while supporting collaboration, innovation and skills development,” Boxall said.
“This facility provides industry with a world-class, pilot-scale environment to test new processing technologies, recover critical minerals and reprocess legacy tailings, turning challenges into new economic opportunities.
“By bridging the gap between laboratory research and commercial deployment, Flexi-Lab will de-risk investment, accelerate innovation and strengthen Queensland’s pit-to-product value chain.”
