Fast-track: Metallica gets nod from George St for silica sand project
Big news up at Cape Flattery with Theo Psaros’ Metallica Minerals getting special backing from the State Government for its huge silica sands development.
Big news up at Cape Flattery with Theo Psaros’ Metallica Minerals getting special backing from the State Government for its huge silica sands development.
The planned mine has been declared a co-ordinated project by the Office of Coordinator-General, a designation that will allow the streamlining of environmental approvals and other processes. Cape Flattery in Far North Queensland has been called the “Bowen Basin” of silica sand, with Metallica developing a huge silica sand deposit 220 km north of Cairns.
Metallica is set to help meet surging demand for the sand used to make high-quality glass needed in solar panels, computer screens, televisions and electric vehicles.
“I liken it to the Bowen Basin of silica sand,” says Psaros. “The resource is very large with proximity to good infrastructure. The deposits in there are well known around the world for being one of the most pure silica sand products available.”
Metallica, which is adjacent to the world’s largest silica mine run by Japan’s Mitsubishi, is expected to be up and running by 2027.
Psaros says Metallica looks forward to working with the Queensland Government and ultimately key Commonwealth agencies to get the project over the line. “We are in the right place and right time as the solar panel industry starts to boom,” he says “Both the Commonwealth and Queensland have published critical mineral strategies and we’re in their sights. Our challenges are getting the approvals through.”
Psaros is not just content to dig the stuff out of the ground, arguing that we also should be encouraging the manufacturing of silica glass in North Queensland, perhaps through tax breaks. “We’ve got the commodity, and we’ve got the skill set to deliver manufacturing,” he says. “Sure, our labour and our energy isn’t cheap but we will get nothing out of this industry unless we think differently. So what is so wrong with a tax free window?”
Home learning hire
Brett Campbell is stepping up as chief executive of Euka Future Learning, Australia’s leading homeschooling provider. The 40-year-old is taking on the more ‘hands on’ role of chief executive after serving as the company’s chairman for the past three years. He previously founded Navion, a portfolio of organisations generating $40 million in annual revenue. He also is co-founder of award-winning Gold Coast digital growth agency Claxon that has collaborated with big names include Accor, Wyndham, Prospa, Binance Australia, Go1 and CarExpert. In 2015, he authored the personal development book, “Right Now! Why Not You, and Why Not Now?”
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After starting life as a solo home operation in 2007, local PR shop Elevate Communication has just celebrated its 16th birthday,
Founded by Mel Deacon, the firm has evolved into a full-service agency that employs 18 staff and operates out of its own commercial office building in East Brisbane. Deacon says the strategic agency has been a consistent performer in the marketing, events and communication space in Queensland and beyond since its inception. “We are extremely proud of our achievements over the past 16 years, and we have a solid vision for the next 16, which is very exciting,” Deacon says. “We’re looking forward to welcoming a few new team members in 2024, which will bolster our already experienced team.”
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Originally published as Fast-track: Metallica gets nod from George St for silica sand project
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