Senator for Queensland and Shadow Minister for Queensland Resources Murray Watt travelled to Mount Isa this week to inspect the region's mining prosperity.
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Senator Watt took part in a surface tour of Glencore's Mount Isa Mines on Wednesday March 10 and received an update on the mine's production.
Senator Watt said when he was appointed to the new role of Shadow Minister for Queensland Resources in January 2021, he was eager to visit Mount Isa to discuss Labor's plans for the resources industry and receive updates on the local production.
"I had a tour of the mine's surface area, smelting processors and the Blackstar open cut mine. My biggest take away from this visit is that there is serious opportunities for this mine and region in the future," he said.
"Mount Isa is one of Queensland's and Australia's biggest mining centres with a strong history. Mount Isa is unique for the types of minerals that are mined here which are increasing in demand across the world; from new technologies, batteries, renewable industries and Mount Isa is well positioned in those markets."
Senator Watt said there was a lot of excitement surrounding the North West Minerals Province and its future.
"There had been a lot of interest for quite some time but it feels like we are getting to a point where that can be realised and that includes traditional minerals like Copper, Lead, Zinc, Silver, or some newer rare earths like Colbalt and Vanadium.
"There is only going to be a bigger demand for those into the future and this region is so well placed to meet it.
"If this North West Minerals Province is to take off it is going to need the support of both state and federal governments, whether it be in transport, energy and infrastructure and I think what we have seen from the Palaszczuk Government is a bit of a sign of what the governments can do.
Senator Watt said he was unable to visit other mines in the area due to his schedule, but said transport and energy infrastructure was the key to further unlocking the North West Minerals Province.
"My impression is that everyone can see the opportunities and has some idea of where the deposits are, but what is really needed is energy and transport infrastructure to make it happen," he said.
"There is not much point digging stuff out of the ground if you can't rail it into Townsville and similarly mining and mining processing is energy intensive work so you have got to have cheap reliable energy as well, and that is potentially where CopperString 2.0 comes in.
"CopperString was once seen as a pipe dream but has progressed in the last 10 years and is forging ahead and while it still has a long way to go there is at least a real project there supported by facts and figures that could really help boost this region's potential."
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Samantha Campbell
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Samantha Campbell (nee Walton) has worked for regional and rural publications across New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory. She is currently writing for the North Queensland Register based in North West Queensland. Email: samantha.campbell@austcommunitymedia.com.au
