# Australian-first facility to accelerate critical minerals sector

Date: 23 Oct 2026
Released by: Dale Last, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development

## MediaRelease.co Summary

The Queensland Government has opened the Queensland Resources Common User Facility in Townsville, an Australian-first purpose-built site where companies can test and validate critical minerals processing methods at scale without building their own demonstration plants. The facility will initially focus on vanadium, with capacity to expand to cobalt and rare earth elements, and Vecco Group is its foundation customer. It is part of a $146.1 million critical minerals investment in the 2026-27 Budget, Natural Resources and Mines Minister Dale Last said.

## Original release

- The Crisafulli Government has opened the Queensland Resources Common User Facility to support critical minerals processing. - The Australian-first purpose-built Townsville facility will help companies prove and scale downstream processing, reduce project risk and move projects to commercial production. - The Queensland Resources Common User Facility forms part of the Crisafulli Government's plan to accelerate the extraction, processing and export of high-quality critical minerals to the world, driving investment in new critical minerals projects. - The Crisafulli Government is open for business and delivering better services through a stronger economy, after a decade of decline under Labor. The Crisafulli Government has opened an Australian-first critical minerals facility in Townsville, helping companies test and refine mineral processing techniques, reduce project risk and accelerate the pathway to commercial development. The Queensland Resources Common User Facility was officially opened today in front of industry representatives and members of a European Union delegation visiting Queensland to explore the State’s critical minerals, processing capability and investment opportunities. It gives companies access to specialised equipment to test and validate processing methods at scale without the capital investment required to build their own demonstration facility. The Queensland Resources Common User Facility is part of the Crisafulli Government's plan to unlock Queensland’s critical minerals potential, backed by a $146.1 million investment in the 2026-27 Budget. It is just one of the ways the Crisafulli Government is delivering for the resources sector, after the former Labor Government shunned the mining industry during their decade of decline. By helping companies reduce technical risk and build investor confidence, the Facility will support project development, strengthen supply chains and encourage more downstream processing in Queensland. It will initially focus on vanadium processing, with capacity to expand over time to support other critical minerals including cobalt and rare earth elements. Foundation customer Vecco Group will use the facility to validate its process for converting vanadium-bearing ore into a high-purity vanadium product for use in vanadium flow batteries. With Queensland home to significant deposits of the minerals essential to advanced manufacturing and defence technologies, the Crisafulli Government is working to ensure more of these resources are processed here in Queensland, strengthening our sovereign capability and creating more jobs in regional communities. Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the official opening marked an important step in turning Queensland’s critical mineral resources into new projects, investment and jobs. “Today's opening is not only an opportunity to showcase Queensland's capability to industry leaders and international delegates but also demonstrates Queensland is serious about growing a globally competitive critical minerals sector,” Minister Last said. “Queensland has enormous critical minerals potential, but having the resource in the ground is only the beginning. “Projects need confidence that a process will work at scale, the capability to test and refine, and investment to take a project from concept to commercial reality. “The former Labor Government's decade of decline demonised the mining sector and had no plan for the facility, no commitment to growing critical minerals partnerships and eroded confidence in the resources sector. “The Crisafulli Government is backing the infrastructure that will help attract private investment, grow downstream processing and create new economic opportunities for regional Queensland.” Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said the opening of the facility was a major win for Townsville and its growing role in Queensland’s critical minerals industry. “We have the skilled workforce, industry expertise and infrastructure to become a powerhouse for critical minerals processing, and this facility puts us at the forefront of that opportunity,” Ms Poole said. “The Crisafulli Government is backing Townsville to attract investment, support local businesses and create more highly skilled, well-paid jobs for our region. “This facility is more than just concrete and steel, it is about making sure that the benefits of Queensland’s critical minerals boom are felt right here in Townsville, with more local jobs, stronger businesses and new opportunities for the next generation." MITEZ Chief Executive Officer Maria James said the facility represented an important step in strengthening critical minerals processing capability across the Mount Isa–Townsville corridor. “North West Queensland has significant mineral resources and established industry expertise, and this facility will help build on those strengths by supporting new processing opportunities and attracting investment,” Ms James said. “Expanding our processing capability will strengthen regional supply chains, support local businesses and create long-term jobs across the corridor. “We want to see more of our mineral resources processed and more value added here in North Queensland, ensuring our regional communities share in the economic benefits of a growing critical minerals sector.”

## Key details

- Author/spokesperson: Dale Last, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines, Minister for Manufacturing and Minister for Regional and Rural Development
- Published: 23 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: Australia

Original source: https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/106284
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