The Queensland Government introduced the Mineral Resources Objections Reform and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026 to Parliament yesterday (15 September) to help reduce project delays.
Reforms introduced include a reduction to environmental lawfare through defined objection eligibility requirements and limiting mining lease objections exclusively to parties in directly affected communities; a reduction to unnecessary court proceedings with automatic referrals to the Land Court; and a streamlined approvals process by removing duplicated environmental assessments.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last says the Queensland Government is delivering “historic reform” for the state’s mining industry.
“For years Queensland has been subject to environmental lawfare driven by activists based in Melbourne designed to shut down one of Queensland’s largest industries at the detriment of workers and regional communities that rely on mining,” Last says.
“This reform will put an end to the madness that saw objections from activists automatically referred to the Land Court leaving projects in limbo for years with Queensland jobs hanging in the balance.
“This is about maintaining our leading environmental standards, while making it easier to do business in Queensland and delivering certainty for Queensland workers.
“Mining is the backbone of Queensland’s economy and when the industry succeeds we see the flow-on benefits that drive regional jobs, economic growth, and long-term prosperity.”
The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) CEO Warren Pearce says the reforms are an “important step towards a more efficient and workable approvals system”.
“These changes should help reduce unnecessary delay and uncertainty while maintaining appropriate opportunities for genuine community concerns to be considered,” Pearce says.
“Queensland has enormous resource potential, but projects need an approvals system that is efficient and focused on resolving genuine issues rather than creating unnecessary delay.
“These reforms are a positive step towards getting that balance right.
“Every unnecessary year added to an approval process has cost. It affects investment decisions and Queensland’s ability to turn its mineral endowment into new mines and economic opportunities.”
Queensland is facing a lot of attention for its focus on delivering critical minerals.
Just earlier today, Mining.com.au reported on AMEC congratulating the state government on the recent reforms to the State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971.
These reforms were announced in late August and are intended to secure critical minerals investment, create more jobs, and grow the economy for regional and rural Queensland.
Government attention also extends through its own investments. The Queensland Critical Minerals Fund (QCMF) is a $250 million fund run by the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC), which is one of Australia’s largest investment managers and is owned by the state government.
Earlier this year, the QCMF provided $4.5 million to Queensland-focused exploration company Ark Mines (ASX:AHK).
First announced in 2025, the funding was given to support work at Ark Mines’ Sandy Mitchell Rare Earths Project near Mareeba in Far North Queensland.
The investment will help progress the project towards a Final Investment Decision and unlock its heavy mineral resources, while also supporting engagement with domestic and international offtake partners.
Another recipient of funding from the QCMF is QMines (ASX:QML). QMines received $15 million from the QIC to progress a Definitive Feasibility Study at its Mt Chalmers Copper-Gold Project, northeast of Rockhampton.
QMines hosted numerous representatives from Queensland Government departments and Livingstone Shire Council at the Mt Chalmers Project in early September, as reported.
This site visit to Mt Chalmers was part of a site familiarisation and stakeholder engagement visit.
Prior to this, the company also welcomed senior representatives from the Queensland Government and the QIC in early July.
The QCMF was boosted to $250 million in the 2026–27 Queensland State Budget, strengthening its capacity to invest in Queensland critical mineral projects by accelerating development pathways at all stages.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Main Image: Queensland Government
