Queensland steps up minerals investment pitch

Queensland natural resources and mines minister Dale Last says the state “is entering a defining decade” and a new Critical Minerals Future 2026–30 platform lays out a blueprint for turning an estimated A$1 trillion of strategic and critical mineral resources into long-term economic prosperity.

“Around the world nations are securing the resources that will power advanced manufacturing, energy systems and new technologies,” Last said in the introduction to Critical Minerals Future 2026–30.

“These minerals are no longer just commodities. They are essential to economic security, industrial capability and future growth.

“For Queensland, this presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity, and we intend to seize it.”

Last said the state’s significant mineral reserves, mining and processing skills base, refining and other infrastructure and “abundant energy” gave it a unique competitive advantage. The Critical Minerals Future 2026–30 plan aimed to turn that into “outcomes and economic prosperity”.

“It is an enabling framework that sets out how we will unlock investment, accelerate projects and build the industries that will support long-term jobs and economic growth,” he said.

“It is a plan to move further along the value chain by expanding processing and refining, strengthening supply chains and capturing more value here in Queensland.”

Queensland’s current government labelled its predecessor “anti-mining” and said recent state budget spending provisions – including $146 million to “unlock our critical minerals” and an additional $800 million of regional electricity transmission network investment – underlined its focus on regions that would underpin minerals-based growth.

Last said privately owned zinc, copper and aluminium refining and smelting plants and state-owned port, power generation and transport infrastructure offered “strong foundations for future growth”.  Up to $700 billion of new resources in Queensland’s North West Minerals Province could be transformative. The state’s mineral resources ledger was expanding with circa-$270 million spent on mineral exploration in the 12 months to March 2026.

“Queensland is positioning itself for the next phase of critical minerals development to meet global demand and respond to restructuring of global supply chains,” the minister’s department said.

Meanwhile, Last said the government was wooing international partners to draw new investment, open access to markets, and connect Queensland resource developers with end-users of minerals and metals in key markets such as the USA.

“By actively building connections with key United States decision-makers, advocating for Queensland projects and promoting Queensland as a key delivery partner of the United States–Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths [US-Australia Critical Minerals Framework], the Queensland Government has helped secure investment outcomes exceeding US$1.3 billion for companies to develop their Queensland projects,” the ministry said.

“These investments are accelerating project development and contributing to more resilient supply chains for both nations.”

Last said: “The world is knocking on Queensland’s door and we are ready to capitalise on this generational opportunity that will deliver long-term jobs and economic opportunities to regional Queensland.

“We have the resources, industrial capability, energy and importantly the will to deliver critical minerals to the world and get this done.”