Canadian mining giant Teck has joined the growing band of explorers on the hunt for North West Queensland resources.
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Teck Australia, a subsidiary of Vancouver-based resource company Teck Resources Ltd, has been given the green light to explore a 102 square kilometre site for minerals 8km southwest of Cloncurry.
Mines Minister Dr Anthony Lynham said Teck’s move was a sign of ongoing confidence in the North West Mineral Province.
“Having one of the world’s biggest zinc and mineral players moving in to explore and develop the state’s north-west presents a fantastic opportunity for Queensland,” Dr Lynham said.
“Not only will this help to secure the next generation of resource development in the north-west region, it will firmly cement Queensland as a leader in the global minerals sector.”
Teck Australia is the first company in Queensland to be granted a permit to explore for minerals through a tender process.
Dr Lynham said exploration permits were usually simply applied for.
“The next minerals boom will be new-age minerals used in advanced technologies from hybrid vehicle batteries to super-conducting magnets,” he said.
“The north-west has potential for copper/gold and lead/zinc, as well as the rare earth elements used in these advanced technologies.”
He said demand for these minerals was driven by production targets for electric vehicles set by governments and car makers around the world.
“These rare metal presents industry and employment opportunities for Queenslanders in the very near future,” he said.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
