Core Resources’ Chair, Jon Loraine, has been featured in Industry Queensland discussing the critical role of copper, rare earths, and critical minerals in Queensland’s growing resources sector.
As the world transitions to cleaner energy solutions, these minerals play an essential part in enabling sustainable technologies and securing global supply chains.
Discover Jon’s insights on how Queensland is positioned to lead in this crucial area and why collaboration and innovation are key for the industry’s future.
Read the full article here
Shining a light on Qld resources ‘game-changers’
Developments in critical minerals, copper, phosphate, and silica processing are leading the charge among game-changing projects expected to make headlines in Queensland next year.
Main image: Red Metal’s Sybella project, showing granite host rock
This outlook comes from Jon Loraine, director of minerals technology and consulting group Core Resources, who has contributed to Queensland’s mining and processing industry for over 35 years.
According to Mr Loraine, the growing demand for rare earth minerals is revealing untapped potential in Queensland’s North West.
Rare earth discovery near Mount Isa
Red Metal’s Sybella rare earth project, located just 20km from Mount Isa, was garnering attention for its unique characteristics, Mr Loraine said.
Core Resources director Jon Loraine
“It’s extraordinary, partly because it’s geologically distinct from most other rare earth deposits in the world. Unlike typical deposits, it is hosted in a weathered or degraded granite. The deposit is exceptionally large, with the potential to be a multi-billion-tonne resource.
“It’s amenable to bulk low-cost mining and processing, potentially through heap leaching. The metallurgical characteristics are highly favorable,” he added.
Copper projects gain momentum
Mr Loraine also highlighted the enduring success of the Ernest Henry Mine, which he helped establish in the late 1990s. Initially expected to have a 15-year lifespan, the mine continues to thrive 25 years later.
“The fascinating aspect of Ernest Henry is that as exploration delves deeper, the mineralisation shows no signs of diminishing,” he said. “The ore body exhibits consistent grades and tenor over 1200m of vertical extent, indicating a large, continuous system. It has the potential to become a tier-one copper resource in the heart of the North West Minerals Province, where copper is critically needed.”
The Eva project, located 75km north of Cloncurry and backed by South African company Harmony, was also identified as a key development to watch in 2025. The project boasts a major resource of 400 million tonnes, with a new feasibility study expected to be released next year.
Overcoming logistics challenges in phosphate
A strategic agreement between North West Phosphate and owner Sibanye-Stillwater to repurpose the Century mine infrastructure for export through Karumba’s Gulf port marks a significant milestone in overcoming logistical hurdles, according to Mr Loraine.
“The move capitalises on North Queensland’s proximity to key markets,” he said. “Global phosphate supplies largely come from the Western Sahara and Jordan, while major markets are in India and Asia. North Queensland’s location is thousands of miles closer.”
Advancing downstream processing
The potential establishment of a polysilicon manufacturing facility near Townsville represents a transformative step for Queensland manufacturing, according to Mr Loraine.
Proponent Quinbrook Infrastructure Partners has been conditionally allocated a 200ha portion of the Lansdown precinct as part of a Townsville City Council competitive tender process.
Quinbrook’s methodical approach to staging the plant had positioned the project for success, Mr Loraine said.
“They’ve addressed critical factors like financing and securing offtake markets,” he said. “This is a project progressing through various development stages, and we can expect significant updates next year.”
