The Queensland Government has appointed Paul Holden as the new lead of Critical Minerals Queensland (CMQ).
Holden is an experienced project leader who was previously a director at Townsville Enterprise. He has also previously held senior roles with the Office of the Coordinator-General and the Department of State Development.
“Queensland has a golden opportunity to capitalise on our critical minerals resources and our know-how to help the world transition to a decarbonised economy,” Holden said.
“Critical Minerals Queensland will be a key facilitator bringing together investors, industry and government together to grow this new sector that will bring new jobs and boost local economies throughout the state.”
Based in Townsville, QMC is a new government office dedicated to facilitating progress and unlocking potential within Queensland’s critical minerals sector. It serves as an outlet for industry, researchers, investors and the community to engage with the Queensland Government about critical minerals.
The office was established as part of the $245 million Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy unveiled by former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in June 2023. The strategy intends to grow the state’s critical minerals sector and support future net-zero emissions.
Under the strategy, CMQ will have responsibilities such as:
- establishing place-based critical minerals zones
- partnering with industry to build ESG (environmental, social, and governance) excellence
- exploring remaining mineralisation in mine waste
- reducing rents for mineral exploration permits to $0 for five years.
“The Miles Government has a big ambition for Queensland to be a global leader, supplier and manufacturer of critical minerals and renewable energy technologies,” Queensland Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart said.
“Our $245 million Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy is the starting point to making this vision happen and at the forefront will be Critical Minerals Queensland, an office dedicated to bringing investors, proponents, government and community together.
“I’m excited to have someone of Paul Holden’s calibre leading the office and helping Queensland’s critical minerals sector go from strength to strength.”
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