Harmony Gold Mining has welcomed $20.7 million in conditional grant funding from the Queensland Government for its Eva copper mine project located 95km north-east of Mount Isa.
The funding will be permitted under the $30 million Mount Isa Mining Acceleration Program, which aims to expedite mining projects in the North West Minerals Province in the next five years.
The Mount Isa Mining Acceleration Program is part of the Queensland Government’s $50 million Mount Isa Transition Fund, which aims to boost projects that can commence quickly, create jobs, and build on the region’s reputation as a great place to live and work.
The Mount Isa Transition Fund was created in October 2023 in response to Glencore announcing plans to close its Mount Isa copper operations and the Lady Loretta zinc mine by the end of 2025.
Harmony Gold’s grant is subject to several conditions such as the company reaching a final investment decision by January 2026.
The grant has been allotted for preparatory works at the Eva copper mine project site, including site access roads, an upgrade of the Burke developmental road intersection, construction accommodation facilities, fencing, and associated services and infrastructure.
These activities are currently underway and will continue over the next several months.
“We are thankful to the people and the Government of Queensland for this grant, and we reaffirm our commitment to developing the Eva copper mine project in a way that is sustainable and maximises local economic benefits and jobs,” Harmony chief executive officer Peter Steenkamp said.
The Eva copper mine project is expected to generate approximately 800 construction jobs and 450 jobs when in operation. The mine is anticipated to have a 15-year minimum life.
The Mount Isa Mining Acceleration Program has also allocated $5.77 million to North West Phosphate’s Paradise South phosphate mine and $2.33 million to Vecco Group’s Vecco critical minerals project, the latter of which was named a “coordinated project” last month.
“We are investing up to $30 million to bring local projects and jobs, online sooner,” Queensland Deputy Premier Cameron Dick said.
“This includes one of the largest copper mines in the region as well as a phosphate mine and greenfield vanadium mining. These investments will help unlock opportunities months and years sooner.”
The Paradise South phosphate mine is projected to generate 74 immediate jobs, with 492 construction jobs and 245 mining operations jobs created by 2026.
The Vecco critical minerals project will engage 274 operational workers from 2026 following construction commencing this year, with 300 jobs generated in 2025 and 2026.
“Ensuring there is a strong future for Mount Isa and North West Queensland is a priority for the (Queensland) Government and this announcement will help create new jobs after Glencore chose to close its underground copper mine and copper concentrator and the Lady Loretta Zinc mine,” Queensland Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart said.
“This acceleration fund will help get these major projects off the ground quicker and I’m excited to see a strong future for the region.”
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