Queensland Launches Major $17 Billion Copper Mine Plan

Queensland’s rural North West critical minerals province is set to benefit from a $2.3 billion mining investment, forecast to deliver $17 billion over 15 years.

A worker checks copper cables being produced at a factory in the central Anatolian city of Kayseri on Feb. 12, 2015. Umit Bektas/Reuters

A $2.3 billion copper mine in North West Queensland is set to deliver a major economic lift and create 1,450 jobs, amid efforts to stabilise the state’s critical minerals sector.

The Eva Copper Mine announcement comes after a $600 million state and federal government package to boost the existing Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townsville refinery, helping maintain around 600 jobs following concerns they could close due to Chinese oversupply.