Gold mining company Harmony Gold has welcomed a decision by the Queensland government, in Australia, to provide conditional grant funding of A$20.7-million to Harmony Gold’s Eva copper mine project under the Mount Isa Mining Acceleration Programme.

The Mount Isa Mining Acceleration Programme was announced by the Queensland government in October last year to accelerate the development of resource projects such as the Eva project in the North West Minerals Province in the next five years.

The grant is subject to several conditions, including Harmony reaching a positive final investment decision (FID) by January 2026.

The grant of A$20.7-million is earmarked for preparatory works at the project site, located 75 km north of Cloncurry and 95 km north-east of Mount Isa, on the traditional lands of the Kalkadoon people.

The preparatory works to which the grant funding will be applied, include site access roads, an upgrade of the Burke developmental road intersection, and the construction of accommodation facilities, fencing and associated services and infrastructure.

These activities, which are subject to a positive FID and which form part of a larger early works programme funded by Harmony, and are designed to facilitate earliest copper production, are underway and will continue over the next several months.

The decision to provide grant funding follows the Queensland government in March this year declaring the Eva copper mine project a ‘prescribed project’ in recognition of its social and economic significance to the state’s North West region.

Harmony CEO Peter Steenkamp said on July 30 that the grant was an important contribution to the project’s progress and an important demonstration of the Queensland government’s support for Harmony and the project.

“We are thankful to the people and the government of Queensland for this grant and we reaffirm our commitment to developing the Eva copper mine project in a way that is sustainable and maximises local economic benefits and jobs,” he added.

Since acquiring the project, Harmony has been conducting a robust, risk-based feasibility study assessment of the project. These ongoing studies and exploration drilling programmes are aimed at creating a quality, derisked and sustainable mining operation, Steenkamp said.

The feasibility study update will require amendments to the current Environmental Authority in place for the project. An FID on the project will therefore only be considered once all approvals have been obtained.