QRC welcomes land releases

THE Queensland Resources Council has welcomed the Palaszczuk Government’s decision to release more than 6600 square kilometres of land for gas exploration with 917sqm kept for the domestic market. 

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said opening up land for exploration was a commitment of confidence in the gas industry and another sign Queensland was getting on with the job to help ease the east coast gas squeeze.

"Yet again Queensland is demonstrating its willingness to actively attract private sector investment to create more jobs, more exports, more royalties and more gas into the domestic market,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“More gas being produced is good news for all gas customers, both domestic and export. With a go-slow on gas development in NSW, and a blanket ban on some types of gas projects in Victoria, what the Southern States are really saying is they’re not prepared to support local jobs and local industry." 

Companies are invited to bid for the right to explore for the gas south-west of Chinchilla in the Surat and Bowen basins. 

Meanwhile, the Queensland Government has announced one of the world’s largest zinc companies, Teck, has been granted a permit to explore 102sqkm near Cloncurry. 

“This is a huge boost for exploration in Queensland with the Canadian mining powerhouse exploring in the State’s mineral rich North West Minerals Province,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“This province has the potential to unearth vast amounts of copper, zinc and gold which are the minerals used in new technologies including batteries, mobile phones and solar panels. 

“The ongoing strength of our resources sector will lock in economic gains for all Queenslanders. 

“Only stable and predictable policy will ensure investment in exploration leads to new investment, new jobs and new exports for Queensland."

The Queensland resources sector now provides one in every six dollars in the Queensland economy, sustains one in eight Queensland jobs, and supports more than 16,400 businesses across the State all from 0.1 percent of Queensland’s land mass, according tot he QRC.

www.qrc.org.au

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