Special status to drive battery metal plans forward

Queensland Pacific Metals' planned Townsville battery materials plant has won prescribed project status, as the company looks to begin construction as soon as 2022. Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the proposed Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH) had the potential to provide a massive boost to Townsville and regional industry. "The project will create around 800 construction jobs and its operational phase would create an estimated 1700 jobs, including 300 highly-skilled advanced manufacturing jobs at the facility and 1400 jobs in support industries," he said. “Now that the prescribed project declaration has been made, the Queensland Coordinator-General can work with project proponent Queensland Pacific Metals (QPM) to ensure all necessary project approvals are obtained in a timely manner.” QPM plans to process 1.5 million tonnes of ore annually at TECH to produce nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate and high-purity alumina- all in demand in the emerging electric-vehicle battery manufacturing market. It announced last month that it had moved to due diligence phase in a bid to attract Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility funding for the project, which would be based at the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct on Townsville’s outskirts. Battery maker LG Energy Solution and Korean steel producer POSCO are backing the project to the tune of more than $19 million ($US15 million). They have entered into a binding agreement for equity investment in Queensland Pacific Metals, as well as binding offtake agreements for 10,000 tonnes contained nickel and 1000 tonnes contained cobalt from the project. Related: TECH plant gas deal to build green credentials Resources Minister and Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the State Government had already committed $12 million to support rail and road infrastructure to develop the Lansdown precinct and assist projects such as the TECH. “Lansdown and projects like TECH will kick-start a new age in industry that will create jobs which Townsville and North Queensland is ready to take advantage of,” he said. QPM managing director and chief executive officer Stephen Grocott said Townsville wass the perfect location, with its existing infrastructure and a skilled workforce. “Construction of The TECH facility could begin in 2022 with production commencing late 2023,” Dr Grocott said. He said QPM would produce nickel sulfate, cobalt sulfate and high-purity alumina in a sustainable manner, with industry-leading low carbon emissions, zero process liquid discharge and no tailings dam. "This is a global first, consistent with the Townsville City Council's aims for the Lansdown Eco-Industrial Precinct,” he said.

Special status to drive battery metal plans forward

Industry Queensland

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