- Crisafulli Government declares Queensland's largest proposed copper mine as a 'large resource project', ensuring benefits for local communities.
- The listing is a boost for Cloncurry and Mount Isa with both locations now set to gain more local benefits from the proposed $2.3 billion Eva Copper mine.
- The mine's Prescribed Project declaration has also been extended, to streamline the project's assessment, creating jobs and supercharging the economy.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy for regional Queensland, after Labor stalled key resource projects during their decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government is backing major resource projects that strengthen the economy, create jobs and ensure regional communities share in the benefits of development, with two key decisions to fast-track Queensland's largest proposed copper project.
The proposed $2.3 billion Eva Copper mine has been declared a "large resource project" under the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017, ensuring the Cloncurry and Mount Isa communities benefit directly from its development and operation.
The declaration means, if approved, the project will ensure local employment, local procurement and long term social and economic benefits for the Mt Isa and Cloncurry communities.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy for regional Queensland, after they were neglected and forgotten during the former Labor Government's decade of decline.
In a further boost, the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning has extended the project's Prescribed Project declaration, providing additional certainty and streamlined approval pathways.
The extension allows the Coordinator General an additional two years, until 25 March 2028, to continue providing coordinated support and fast tracking approvals to keep the project moving.
Located 75 kilometres north of Cloncurry and 95 kilometres northeast of Mount Isa, the Eva Copper project is proposed by Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd and is expected to produce an average of 60,000 tonnes of copper and 19,000 troy ounces of gold annually over a 15‑year mine life.
The project is expected to generate up to 1,000 construction jobs and 450 ongoing operational roles, delivering a major boost to the North West's workforce and economy.
Mount Isa's metallurgical sector will also benefit, with Eva Copper's concentrate to be processed locally at Glencore's Mount Isa Copper Smelter, supporting existing industrial capability in the region.
Eva Copper holds key environmental and mining approvals and is currently progressing an Environmental Authority amendment application.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the Crisafulli Government was focused on delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy, by supporting projects that deliver jobs, investment and long-term regional benefits.
"The Crisafulli Government's decisive action stands in stark contrast to Labor's decade of decline and red tape, which stalled resource projects across the state and demonstrated their complete disregard for the livelihoods of regional Queenslanders," the Deputy Premier said.
"Eva Copper has the potential to be Queensland's biggest copper mine, and we want to ensure the communities closest to the project share directly in its success.
"Declaring Eva Copper a large resource project strengthens local employment opportunities, supports regional businesses and ensures long term benefits for Mount Isa and Cloncurry.
"Extending the Prescribed Project declaration gives proponents greater certainty and allows the Coordinator-General to continue streamlining approvals so projects can move forward responsibly and efficiently."
Queensland Coordinator-General Gerard Coggan said he was pleased to make the determination under the SSRC Act to list Eva Copper as a large resource project.
"My decision triggers the potential for real long-term benefits for local workers in the Mount Isa and Cloncurry communities, and ensures they will be included in the mine's operational workforce.
"The decisions announced today show the Queensland Government is making sure Eva Copper can benefit local communities as well as generate significant revenue for the state."
Mount Isa Mayor Peta MacRae said Council would continue discussions with Harmony Gold on how Eva Copper could generate long-term community benefits for the region.
"Council is pleased that Eva Copper has been listed as a large resource project under the SSRC Act and we will continue to work with Harmony Gold to ensure our community can gain both economic and community benefits from the project," Mayor MacRae said.
Cloncurry Mayor Greg Campbell said Eva Copper's designation as a large resource project would assist local efforts to ensure benefits for the Cloncurry community.
"We want to make sure the project not only generates long-term economic benefits throughout our local supply chains but also creates social and community benefits for our residents," Mayor Campbell said.
Harmony Gold Mining Company Chief Development Officer Johannes Van Heerden said the company welcomed the Queensland Government decisions.
"As a Tier 1 Mining jurisdiction, Queensland offers coordination support and a stable regulatory framework that has helped Eva Copper move forward through planning and into construction with certainty," Mr Van Heerden said.
"We appreciate the Queensland Government's continued support for Eva Copper via the Prescribed Project declaration.
"Harmony is a responsible investor, and we want to deliver long-lasting benefits to Cloncurry, Mount Isa and the region through local jobs, local business opportunities and community investment.
"Our approach, which is already making a positive impact in the early stages of the project, aligns with the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Framework and we welcome the listing as a large resource project."
Harmony Gold announced the approval of the project's Final Investment Decision in November 2025.
