Construction has begun on a long-awaited critical minerals testing facility in Townsville, in northern Queensland, with the state’s new Liberal National Party (LNP) government claiming credit for rescuing the project from cost blowouts and delays under the previous Labor administration.

The Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF), located in the Cleveland Bay Industrial Park, is expected to help accelerate commercialisation for mining companies by allowing them to test mineral processing techniques and advance samples to market. It is scheduled to be operational by late 2026.

“Despite Labor announcing the site in January 2023, this project was left to languish for nearly two years under the former government,” said Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Jarrod Bleijie.

“Labor’s mismanagement not only stalled the creation of more than 40 new local jobs, but it has also held back the development of Queensland’s resources industry,” he said, adding that bulk earthworks were now under way.

Queensland’s northern mineral reserves are estimated to be worth A$500-billion, according to the state government, which says the facility will support the region’s push to become a hub for critical minerals needed in clean energy technologies, defence, and advanced manufacturing.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the facility would position Queensland at the forefront of global innovation in the resources sector.

“The QRCUF will put Queensland at the forefront of resources innovation, and we’ll see advances in manufacturing, defence and research because of it,” Last said.

“Commercial mining projects will get off the ground quicker in Queensland, the supply chain will be bolstered, and the industry will grow, especially in the North.”

“Labor’s unpredictable anti-mining policies, including their mismanagement of the QRCUF, threatened regional jobs and caused investment opportunities to dry up.”

Industry groups have welcomed the project’s progress.

“Today signals the government’s intentions to capitalise on the opportunity Queensland has in the critical mineral space,” said Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (Amec) CEO Warren Pearce.

“The common user facility is strongly supported by Amec and the Queensland government has ensured that the project is now moving forward with pace,” he said.

“It significantly improves opportunities for companies to secure investment funding and build value adding projects in Queensland.”

Queensland is among several Australian states seeking to attract investment in critical minerals processing and manufacturing, as Western nations look to diversify supply chains away from China.