- The US Consul-General Jeremy Cornforth will inspect Queensland's critical minerals corridor and key investment ready projects, ahead of the Premier's Trade Mission.
- The Premier will hold high-level meetings with US officials and investors about critical minerals projects during his visit later this month.
- Queensland is aiming to be a global leader in critical minerals, with a plan to accelerate the extraction, processing and export to the world.
- It follows the release of the Crisafulli Government's critical minerals strategy and a $146 million investment to unlock our critical minerals industry, as we drive more jobs and better services through a stronger economy.
Queensland's critical minerals corridor and key shovel-ready projects will be examined by the United States Consul-General next week, ahead of the Premier's Trade Mission to the United States.
Consul-General Jeremy Cornforth will examine investment ready projects on behalf of the United States Government, ahead of the Premier's visit with high-ranking government officials to discuss critical minerals, later this month.
It's a clear sign of confidence in Queensland's critical minerals sector, and part of the Crisafulli Government's critical minerals strategy, to deliver more jobs and better services through a stronger economy.
The Consul-General will meet with local government, industry associations and resource companies across the North West Minerals Province with site tours of operating mines, processing and refining facilities as he travels between Mount Isa and Townsville.
This follows the launch of the Crisafulli Government's Delivering Queensland's Critical Minerals Future 2026-30 strategy, positioning the State for the next phase of development to meet global demand and respond to restructuring of global supply chains.
The strategy includes delivering faster project pathways and government coordination, global investment attraction, targeted funding to unlock private investment, and building infrastructure and capability as part of its plan.
Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was focused on unlocking our wealth of critical minerals to deliver more jobs and better services through a stronger economy.
"We are accelerating new infrastructure and projects, to extract, process and export our critical minerals to the world," Premier Crisafulli said.
"Not only have we identified investment-ready projects which will lock-in global supply chains, we are also kickstarting new projects with investment.
"This visit is part of showcasing the investment opportunities ahead of our Trade Mission, where discussions about critical minerals front and centre with both government and private investors.
"Queensland is open for business and a stronger economy means more jobs and better services for the entire State."
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said Queensland was ready to show the high-ranking US official the opportunities that lie across the north, kicking off with a warm welcome at the Mount Isa Rodeo.
"You can't get a more iconic introduction to north west Queensland than a day at the Mount Isa Rodeo and a night in Fred Brophy's boxing tent," Minister Last said.
"Queensland has the opportunity to build a generationally defining relationship with the United States and develop a globally significant critical minerals supply chain.
"This is a strong signal the United States is interested in what Queensland has to offer, and importantly, that we're open for business.
"We have the resources, infrastructure and skills to supply the critical minerals the United States demands.
"Several Queensland critical minerals projects are already benefitting from the U.S. interest through funding from the Export-Import Bank of the United States and we want to see more investment flow.
"We're doing our bit with the launch of our new strategy and $146 million in the 2026-27 Budget to accelerate critical minerals extraction, processing and export of high-quality materials to the world. Just last month we secured our foundation customer for the Queensland Resources Common User Facility in Townsville.
"We welcome the Consul-General to the North West and look forward to showing him firsthand the opportunities on offer, while sharing north Queensland's unique hospitality."
United States Consul-General Jeremy Cornforth said he was looking forward to learning more about Queensland's critical minerals.
"The United States and Australia have always stood together as allies. In the years ahead, our cooperation on critical minerals will become one of the central pillars of that alliance," Mr Cornforth said.
"Queensland is right at the heart of this effort – an effort that will rely on sustained infrastructure and technology investment here, whether in extraction, energy generation, power transmission, or new refining technologies and facilities.
"Together, we are not simply developing resources. We are forging the industrial foundation that will support shared economic security, technological leadership, and national defence for decades to come.
"The progress we have made over the past year shows that this partnership is already delivering results."
Mount Isa City Council Mayor Peta MacRae was delighted to welcome the U.S. Consul-General.
"Mount Isa has always known what it's worth. Our copper, our minerals and our people have helped build this nation for generations," Mayor MacRae said.
"The visit of the U.S. Consul-General to our city is recognition that what we have here matters to the world, not just to Queensland.
"We welcome that recognition, and we welcome the opportunity to show firsthand what Mount Isa has to offer as a critical minerals hub of genuine global significance."
MITEZ CEO Maria James said she looked forward to showing Mr Cornforth the enormous potential the North West Minerals Province had to offer.
"This region has long been an economic driver for Queensland and with significant critical minerals potential, we have a unique opportunity to drive not only Queensland's future prosperity but also the American economy," she said.
"We want the MITEZ corridor to thrive for generations and developing partnerships with the U.S. Government and American industry will lead to long- term jobs, regional investment and thriving local communities.
"I look forward to showing the Consul-General and his delegation what this region can do."
