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Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development

Critical Minerals Queensland

Headquartered in Townsville, Critical Minerals Queensland (CMQ) is advancing Queensland’s vertically integrated critical minerals supply chain by consulting directly with upstream proponents, midstream processors, refiners and downstream manufacturers to understand what inputs, infrastructure and investment is needed.

Collaboration with industry

We connect proponents with potential institutional, commercial and government investment programs as well as supporting proponents to navigate regulatory approvals from exploration to final investment decision.

We also develop baseline social, environmental and ecological impact data, such as those outlined below to reduce time and costs for proponents to prepare project documentation such as environmental impact statements.

CMQ undertakes work across designated Critical Minerals Zones. These zones aim to advance the sector by prioritising government support to where clusters of critical minerals projects and initiatives are co-located.

We are currently piloting 2 zones:

  • Julia Creek/Richmond—supporting a targeted and coordinated approach to growing our vanadium industry.
  • Mount Isa/Cloncurry—supporting secondary processing opportunities and unlocking the potential for critical minerals to be recovered from existing tailings operations.

Julia Creek/Richmond Critical Minerals Zone baseline study

The baseline study (PDF, 5MB) has examined the social and economic impacts of the development of the Julia Creek/Richmond Critical Minerals Zone (CMZ) including the impacts that these projects would have on the local workforce, housing, education, health and local businesses.

The study provides essential baseline data and practical recommendations to assist project proponents, regulators and stakeholders in the CMZ. It supports compliance with Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Social Impact Assessment (SIA) requirements under the Strong and Sustainable Resource Communities Act 2017 (SSRC Act) and the Environmental Protection Act 1994.

The study forms part of a broader package of baseline studies on water availability and significant environmental matters. These studies will be available for all proponents in the CMZ, helping to reduce costs and approval timeframes.

Groundwater Baseline Project

The Groundwater Baseline Project supports the sustainable development of Queensland’s critical minerals sector by delivering essential groundwater data for planning, investment, and regulatory assessments.

Focused on the Julia Creek–Richmond CMZ and including Croydon as an emerging area of interest, this initiative provides practical insights to complement site-specific studies under Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) frameworks helping streamline data collection and approval timeframes.

Building on previous work, including the Water Delivery Options Report (2023) and the Strategic Assessment Report (2024), the project is being delivered in two phases:

Information collected under the baselining initiative will look to support key benefits in the CMZ for stakeholders including:

  • Greater certainty for water supply planning.
  • Cost-effective groundwater recovery options.
  • Shared baseline data accessible to government and the public.

First Nations Economic Baseline Study

The First Nations Peoples Economic Baseline Program (PDF, 9MB) seeks to provide evidence-based insights that build on the Social Baseline Project (EMM, 2025) to inform practical strategies for First Nations economic participation. The findings will be utilised by proponents, governments, and communities to guide actions that generate measurable outcomes, ensuring First Nations Peoples are positioned to actively contribute to and benefit from the growth of Queensland’s critical minerals sector.

This project aims to ensure First Nations Peoples are empowered to leverage opportunities in Queensland’s critical minerals sector, facilitating:

  • Economic uplift and sustainable participation.
  • Meaningful collaboration between industry, government, and First Nations communities.
  • Long-term socio-economic benefits for all stakeholders.

Further information

De-risking investment

Critical Minerals Queensland has been leading the Queensland Government’s engagement with mining companies, investors and international trade and investment specialists to attract and facilitate investment.

Regional and rural communities

Work is underway to understand the changes that may occur in regional and rural communities as Queensland’s critical minerals industry grows to supply the global market.

This includes supporting local governments in the Critical Minerals Zones to scope potential community legacy and economic development projects in the critical minerals industry.

Contact us

Critical Minerals Queensland welcomes all opportunities to connect and collaborate on ways to advance Queensland’s critical minerals sector. ​

Last updated
20 October 2026
Last reviewed
11 July 2025