Crisafulli: $17bn Eva Copper Mine boosts Phosphate Hill future
Premier David Crisafulli says a flurry of mining investment announcements this week has given hope for the long-term industrial future of the Phosphate Hill fertiliser plant.
Premier David Crisafulli says a flurry of mining investment announcements this week has given hope for the long-term industrial future of the Phosphate Hill fertiliser plant after fears its sale would fail.
Located 167km south of Mount Isa, the plant is Australia’s largest producer of ammonium phosphate fertiliser, which uses natural and metallurgical gas from Glencore’s smelter as part of its operation.
When asked about the future of the plant, Mr Crisafulli said on Thursday the government’s recent focus on the Mount Isa copper smelter and Townsville refinery, and Eva Copper Mine was the backbone for the region’s wider economic survival.
The Premier said the announcement built on the state and federal government’s $600m investment into the Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townsville refinery last month.
The Eva Copper Mine project aims to extract 60,000 tonnes annually over its estimated 15-year life, adding $17bn to the Queensland economy.
The project will also create 1000 jobs during construction and 450 once operational.
Construction will begin in early 2027, with the first production expected in the second half of 2028.
This comes after the North West Weekly reported that it’s understood a consortium of local business leaders headed by managing director of North West Phosphate John Cotter, is keen to buy the Phosphate Hill fertiliser plant after it was announced it would close if it does not sell.
Mr Cotter told the publication he was unable to comment on the situation.
According to it’s website, North West Phosphate is the largest phosphate resource holding in Australia.
Mr Crisafulli said he was hopeful Phosphate Hill could be saved, due to the momentum in the mining industry.
“What we have done in the last 48 hours, in my mind, makes the future of Phosphate Hill a lot more tangible,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“What we need to do now is all levels of government need to pitch in and make sure that there is a future for Phosphate Hill and the many hundreds of people who work there,” he said.
Katter’s Australian Party leader Robbie Katter raised concerns at the start of November that 500 jobs were under immediate threat at Phosphate Hill, blaming “crippling”, government energy policies and a lack of gas reserve.
The Premier also revealed on Thursday that fresh international capital was flowing into the state’s coal sector from Europe and Japan, which he attributed to his recent trade mission to Japan and India.
“There is opportunity in the Queensland coal industry,” he said.
North West Phosphate was contacted for comment.
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Originally published as Crisafulli: $17bn Eva Copper Mine boosts Phosphate Hill future
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