Revolver Resources will accelerate plans to recommission a Far North Queensland copper mine thanks to support from the State Government.
The Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund will support the company with a $1.3 million contribution towards a series of technical studies, and engineering and environmental management designs.
Funding will fast-track the completion of the studies by up to six months, with a view to have the mine fully operational in the next 18 months, subject to approvals and finance.
Revolver seeks to re-establish the mine in line with the rising global demand for copper to supply electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging infrastructure, batteries, and renewable energy generation.
Queensland Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Trade and Investment Minister Cameron Dick said the state is positioned as a renewable energy and cleantech superpower.
Related stories:
- Capricorn Copper Mine declared critical project
- BHP uses Microsoft AI to improve copper recovery
- OZ Minerals selects contractor for copper and nickel project
“The state’s vast copper reserves play an important part in this renewable energy and clean industries transformation,” Dick said.
“The Queensland Labor Government established the Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund to accelerate this transformation, and it is great to see the first grant being used to fast track the potential rejuvenation of the Dianne Copper Mine.
“The Dianne Copper Mine is a great example of the transformative resource projects we are seeing emerge in Queensland and around the world.”
Prior to its closure in 1983, the mine, that is 260 kilometres north west of Cairns, was producing 63,758 tonnes of ore with an average copper grade of 22.7 per cent – the highest-grade copper in Australia’s history.
As the world’s most cost-effective conductive material, copper is essential to helping Queensland reach its net zero emissions target.
Queensland Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart said the state is host to large and long-lived copper mining activities, with new deposits still being discovered, and developments successfully progressed.
“This supply, coupled with the global embrace of sustainability, is driving interest in our state and pushing the clean energy transition forward,” Stewart said
“The renewal of old mines is a key action identified in our Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan and it’s great to see Revolver Resources take advantage of the opportunity a legacy operation like this is presenting.”
Subject to a positive financial investment decision, the mine is expected to support approximately 23 new full-time jobs and opportunities for 10 apprentices and trainees.
Revolver Resources managing director Pat Williams said the company is grateful to be the recipients of the very first grant made by Stream A of the Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund.
“The objectives of the fund and our plans at the Dianne Copper Mine Project align neatly,” Williams said.
“This grant enables us to accelerate the final engineering and design workstreams for the project as we drive towards targeted recommencement of mining activities at Dianne.
“I would like to say a heartfelt thank you to both the Queensland Government and the personnel administering the fund.
“I believe that the leadership and foresight shown in setting up and rapidly activating the fund should be widely recognised and commended by the minerals industry.”