QMines (ASX:QML) welcomed representatives from several Queensland Government departments and Livingstone Shire Council at the Mt Chalmers Copper-Gold Project yesterday (1 September).
This site visit to Mt Chalmers was part of a site familiarisation and stakeholder engagement visit.
The Queensland Government departments which attended included the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (DSDIP), Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI), and Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development (DNRMMRRD).
Queensland Government attendees included Manager of Economic Development Candace Vea Vea and Economic Development Officer Kerry Kerr from the DSDIP; Manager of Minerals Business Centre Giles Bezzina from the DETSI; and Senior Mining Registrar Jodie Moussie, Senior Geologist Ben Wimberley, and Central Operations Manager John Frankish from the DNRMMRRD.
From the Livingstone Shire Council, QMines welcomed Manager of Engineering Services Sean Fallis, Manager of Economic Development Sonia Tomkinson, and Principal Economic Development Officer Arna Hart.
Principal Project Officer Ariane Leyden from the Queensland Government’s Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers was also in attendance at the site visit.
Members from the QMines team that attended included Andrew Sparke, Richard Wittig, Peter Caristo, and Tom Bartschi, along with project, environmental, planning, and community engagement consultants from Onterris and CQG Consulting.
During the site visit, the QMines team and host representatives discussed the proposed mine development and site layout, approvals pathway, environmental and technical studies that are currently underway, stakeholder engagement, and the potential economic and community benefits associated with restarting the historic operation.
The crew also conducted an inspection of the existing open pits, current drilling activities, and drill core.
Managing Director Andrew Sparke says QMines would like to sincerely thank the teams that visited the site yesterday.
“It was a fantastic day and a great opportunity to get people out on the ground, see the project firsthand, and have open and constructive discussions about our plans for Mt Chalmers,” Sparke says.
“Restarting a historic mine requires close engagement between industry, government, regulators, and the local community.
“Having representatives from across the key government departments and Livingstone Shire Council together on site was particularly valuable.
“We really appreciate the level of engagement from everyone who attended and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively as we progress Mt Chalmers through feasibility, approvals, and towards development.”
QMines also hosted senior representatives from the Queensland Government and Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) at Mt Chalmers in early July.
As reported by Mining.com.au, QMines is currently progressing a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) at Mt Chalmers ahead of a final investment decision. The DFS is wholly funded by a $15 million investment from the QIC.
The QIC, which is owned by the Queensland Government, runs the $250 million Queensland Critical Minerals Fund (QCMF).
The QCMF was boosted to $250 million in the 2026-27 Queensland State Budget, allowing a strengthened capacity to invest in Queensland critical mineral projects by accelerating development pathways at all stages.
Other companies supported by the QCMF include Iltani Resources (ASX:ILT), receiving $8 million to accelerate workstreams at the Orient Project in Far North Queensland.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: QMines
