- Crisafulli Government delivers 180 jobs in regional Queensland as Silica Resources Australia prepares to export first shipment from Port of Mourilyan.
- Silica Resources Australia will more than double production in coming years thanks to $30 million investment from Queensland Critical Minerals Fund.
- Premier David Crisafulli will hold high-level meetings with US officials and investors about Queensland's critical minerals projects during his visit this month.
- This year's Budget is strengthening the foundations for a fresh start with an additional $100 million funding for the Queensland Critical Minerals Fund.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering 180 jobs and a stronger economy for regional Queensland by unlocking a significant critical minerals export opportunity in Mourilyan in Far North Queensland.
Silica Resources Australia is expecting its first shipment to leave the Port of Mourilyan later this year, bound for customers across Asia, after a $30 million investment from Queensland Investment Corporation's Queensland Critical Minerals Fund.
The Queensland Investment Corporation investment is part of the Crisafulli Government's plan to extract, process and export Queensland's critical minerals to the world, with the $250 million Queensland Critical Minerals Fund helping kick-start new projects.
The investment opportunities to unlock Queensland's critical minerals will be a major focus of the Premier's Trade Mission later this month, with meetings with high-level government officials and private investors planned.
The launch of the Delivering Queensland's Critical Minerals Future 2026-2030 strategy is also positioning the State for the next phase of development to meet global demand and respond to restructuring of global supply chains.
The investment has delivered the plant, equipment and land acquisitions needed to mine more than 50 million tonnes of silica sand at the project site and will unlock Silica Resources Australia's ability to boost annual production from 360,000 tonnes to more than 750,000 tonnes within five years.
By backing the project at Mourilyan, the Crisafulli Government has ensured Queensland is perfectly placed to take advantage of a global silica market expected to be worth more than $36 billion by 2032.
The Crisafulli Government is open for business and delivering more jobs and better services through a stronger economy after Labor's saw anti-mining policies result in missed opportunities and stalled investment.
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training the Honourable Ros Bates said Silica Resources Australia's growth was yet another example of the Crisafulli Government leveraging our natural resources to deliver for Queensland.
"Queensland is open for business and we know there's huge global demand for the critical minerals we've got right under our feet," Minister Bates said.
"Our investment into SRA has unlocked a massive export opportunity which is going to support jobs and economic growth in Far North Queensland and that's exactly what the now $250 million Queensland Critical Minerals Fund is for.
"We're strengthening the foundations for a fresh start with another $100 million for the Queensland Critical Minerals Fund in this year's Budget which will back projects that bring benefits to communities across Queensland."
Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said the investment was already paying dividends for the region.
"By backing this project, the Crisafulli Government is unlocking jobs and supporting a huge economic boost for Far North Queensland," Mr Chiesa said.
"Regional Queensland was neglected under Labor during its decade of decline, but this is another example of the Crisafulli Government delivering for all of Queensland."
"Projects like this don't just benefit one industry, they create work for local businesses, grow our ports and give families greater confidence that our region will continue to thrive."
Silica Resources Australia Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director Rob Tindall said the company was pleased to be progressing exports through the Port of Mourilyan under a long-term lease agreement.
"Ports North has been a fantastic partner throughout the process, with a strong focus on creating benefits for the regional communities they serve," Mr Tindall said.
"We have made strong progress at our Mourilyan Silica Sands Project since QIC's investment with mining and domestic sales established – and the Port gives us the opportunity to expand to international exporting later this year.
"The long-term lease will enable us to develop sustainable port exports, support year-round local jobs in a way that protects this fragile and beautiful ecosystem.
"We are excited to see the first shipment leave Mourilyan later this year and to continue building a long-term export industry that delivers benefits for the Cassowary Coast and Far North Queensland."
Mr Tindall said SRA had also signed a memorandum of understanding with MSF Sugar to assess the feasibility of using the existing cane rail network to transport product to the port in future.
