A high-powered resources industry advisory body met for the first time in Townsville today, underlining the North's importance to future resources jobs and growth.
Resources Minister Scott Stewart chaired the first meeting, which brought together industry and community representatives to drive Queensland's 30-year-plan for resources.
"Our 30-year plan sets a path for the development of our critical minerals like copper, vanadium and cobalt that are essential for advanced and renewable technologies," Mr Stewart said.
"The Ministerial Advisory Group will monitor, guide and advise government and industry as we bring home the actions and meet the commitments we've made in that plan.
"North Queensland is absolutely central to the industry's future, because of the wealth of critical minerals in the North-West Minerals Province.
"The Palaszczuk Government's plan is for North Queensland to be home to a whole new industry: mining, processing and manufacturing vanadium initially, and other critical minerals in the future.
"That's why we're investing at least $10 million on a demonstration processing plant for critical minerals here in Townsville."
Mr Stewart said Queensland's resources and Energy and Jobs Plans would operate in tandem to make Queensland a global renewable energy superpower.
"As the Premier says, Queensland has the resources below and above the ground to achieve this, and North Queensland's critical minerals are fundamental to achieving this," he said.
The advisory group consists of Minister Stewart, the Director General and Deputy Director-General of his Department of Resources, and the resources industry peak bodies: the Queensland Resources Council, the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, the Australian Petroleum Producers and Explorers Association and the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
Others may join for specific issues, including academics and regional representatives from local government, community, First Nations peoples and industry.
The group will meet at least twice a year at locations around the state.
The meeting comes after legislation was introduced to Queensland Parliament to allow a rent deferral for critical minerals projects.
Mr Stewart said this is the latest Palaszczuk Government incentive to get a new 21st century mining sector off the ground while supporting good jobs.
"Miners will be able to direct all their funds into their project during a time when cash-flow is really critical," Mr Stewart said.
"Rent bills in the first year can be hundreds of thousands of dollars, during a period when a mine isn't yet generating much income.
"Not having to pay this rent until the fourth year of the mine's life, will support a sector that will take Queensland's resources industry and its workforce into the future."
The Coal Mining Safety and Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 has been referred to the Transport and Resources Committee for review.
