- The Crisafulli Government delivers next stage of North West Queensland's copper growth to lock-in more jobs and better services through a stronger economy.
- $15 million follow-on investment expands processing capacity at Austral Resources' Rocklands plant near Cloncurry.
- Additional capacity to unlock new mining projects across Queensland's North West Minerals Province after a decade of decline under the former Labor Government.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering the next stage of North West Queensland's copper growth with a further $15 million investment to expand strategic processing infrastructure at Austral Resources' Rocklands plant near Cloncurry.
The investment through Queensland Investment Corporation's Queensland Critical Minerals Fund will support the expansion of the Rocklands processing plant from three million tonnes to approximately 4.5 million tonnes per annum.
The additional capacity will strengthen one of North West Queensland's most significant copper processing facilities, creating new opportunities for Austral and third-party producers while helping unlock future mining projects across the North West Minerals Province.
The Crisafulli Government is strengthening the foundations of Queensland's critical minerals future after a decade of neglect under the former Labor Government which saw anti-mining policies result in missed opportunities and stalled investment.
Treasurer and Minister for Energy David Janetzki said the Crisafulli Government was committed to building regional prosperity through strategic infrastructure.
"North West Queensland is central to our plan for a stronger Queensland economy, and we're making the long-term investments needed to unlock the region's full potential," Treasurer Janetzki said.
"Just as CopperString will connect the north west's world-class resources to affordable, reliable energy – expanding Rocklands will strengthen the processing infrastructure needed to turn those resources into jobs, investment and economic growth.
"These investments are delivering the infrastructure that gives businesses the confidence to invest, creates opportunities for regional communities and strengthens Queensland's position as a global critical minerals powerhouse."
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training Ros Bates said momentum was building after Rocklands was put back on a pathway to production.
"We have strengthened the critical minerals fund with an additional $100 million in this year's Budget to unlock the potential we've got right under our feet," Minister Bates said.
"Queensland is back open for business after Labor's decade of decline failed to capitalise on our critical minerals opportunities, and we're backing projects which will help deliver benefits for communities across the State.
"This investment will deliver a massive expansion to one of our key pieces of mineral infrastructure which will become another driver of economic development in regional Queensland."
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said expanding Rocklands was helping unlock the next generation of copper production across the North West Minerals Province.
"Queensland has world-class copper resources and the recently released Delivering Queensland's Critical Minerals Future 2026-2030 strategy is about ensuring we capture more of the value here at home by investing in the infrastructure that supports processing, manufacturing and long-term regional jobs," Minister Last said.
"Processing capacity is one of the biggest barriers to unlocking new critical minerals projects. Expanding Rocklands strengthens the infrastructure our strategy identifies as essential to bringing new mines into production and attracting investment across the North West Minerals Province.
"This investment reflects exactly what our Critical Minerals Strategy is designed to achieve – backing the strategic infrastructure that gives industry the confidence to invest, grows regional economies and cements Queensland's position as a global leader in critical minerals."
Austral Resources Chairman David Newling said the investment represented another major milestone in the company's ambition to build a leading Australian copper business.
"We've always believed Rocklands had the potential to become one of Australia's premier copper assets, and this investment allows us to accelerate that vision," Mr Newling said.
"Austral is building a long-term business in north west Queensland. Expanding Rocklands gives us greater operating flexibility, strengthens our production pipeline and positions us to support future growth across the province.
"We're grateful the Queensland Government shares our long-term view of the north west, because that confidence gives companies like ours the certainty to plan, invest and build for the future."
The Queensland Critical Minerals Fund is backing more opportunities after receiving a further $100 million in the Crisafulli Government's 2026-27 Budget.
