Queensland launches $146m critical minerals plan, warns Glencore on land‑banking

The Queensland Government announced a four‑year, $146 million critical minerals strategy aimed at expanding extraction, processing, refining and manufacturing of strategic resources. The plan, called “Delivering Queensland’s Critical Minerals Future 2026–30,” seeks to capture more value domestically, create jobs in regional communities and shield supply chains from geopolitical disruptions, according to Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last.

At the same time, Queensland LNP politician Robbie Katter urged the Swiss commodities trader Glencore to stop “land‑banking” its Mt Isa copper resources. Katter called for “use it or lose it” provisions to prevent the company from holding mineral rights without developing them, highlighting that Glencore’s Mount Isa deposit holds about 151 million tonnes of copper ore with a 1.5% grade, far richer than nearby projects. The state’s natural‑resources minister indicated the government is considering such provisions to ensure resources are actively developed.