Industry greets resources future blueprint

Peak mining groups have welcomed the release of the draft Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan (QRIDP), which was unveiled at the Queensland Resources Council annual lunch in Brisbane today. QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said the blueprint was the result of 12 months of industry and community consultation. “The draft QRIDP is mapped out in six key areas and includes a range of recommendations. We welcome the central focus on ways to grow and diversify the resources sector and to ensure it has the skilled workers to meet demand," he said. The draft plan has 43 actions that address six key focus areas: growing and diversifying the industrystrengthening ESG credentials and protecting the environmentfostering coexistence and sustainable communitiesensuring strong and genuine First Nations partnershipsbuilding a safe and resilient workforce andimproving regulatory efficiency. Related: 30-year plan to ‘transform’ resource sector Mr Macfarlane described the resources sector as one of Queensland’s driving forces, as highlighted in QRC’s latest economic contribution data which showed that it added $84.3 billion to the state’s economy. QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane. “We believe a long-term plan for the sector will help ensure all Queenslanders continue to benefit from the state’s world-class commodities and world-leading practices for decades to come," he said. “Most importantly, we should signal to the world and to both Australian and international investors that Queensland’s resources sector has a strong future." He said the industry had significant opportunities to continue investment and jobs in traditional commodities, including coal, gas and metals, as well as a chance to seize added opportunities. These came in areas such as the critical economy minerals that would support the technology for a low emissions economy, and in emerging technologies such as hydrogen and CCS. “We welcome the State Government’s commitment to a common user critical minerals demonstration plant in Townsville," Mr Macfarlane said. “Queensland’s resources sector has the building blocks to lead the low emissions economy. "We must focus on ways to harness that potential and add to the breadth and depth of the sector. “QRC looks forward to reviewing the recommendations of the draft QRIDP in detail and continuing consultation with the Queensland Government and Queensland communities to ensure the long-term blueprint puts the right framework in place to maximise investment and jobs." Association of Mining and Exploration Companies chief executive officer Warren Pearce said AMEC, alongside the QRC and other significant stakeholders, had actively participated in the QRIDP process. "The draft plan released today is the result of in-depth stakeholder consultation earlier in 2021, with additional consultation on the draft occurring over the next two months in areas not visited originally such as Cloncurry, Bundaberg, Moura, and Gladstone," he said. “The State Government’s Collaborative Exploration Initiative (CEI) is vital for the growth of our industry, so it's excellent see the KPMG Report support not only maintaining but enhancing the funding for this program.” He said land access was a key topic raised through consultation and the draft plan acknowledged that co-existence was an extremely important part of the resources industry. The draft QRIDP plan also acknowledged that renewable energy projects were encountering similar co-existence challenges as the resources industry. “Yesterday’s announcement of funding for a common user mineral processing facility shows the government is genuinely listening to industry about what will accelerate mineral developments, and sends a clear message to investors, that Queensland is serious about developing supply chain resilience,” Mr Pearce said. Submissions on the draft plan close on February 11. A link to the QRIDP draft plan can be found here

Industry greets resources future blueprint

Industry Queensland

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