Investor confidence returns to Queensland as Crisafulli Government fast-tracks major graphite project

• Graphinex’s Esmeralda Graphite Project in North Queensland has been declared a Coordinated Project.
• Project expected to create up to 233 jobs, including 100 during construction and 133 at peak operational capacity.
• Backed by international investment secured through a recent trade mission to North America.  

A 3.5 million tonne graphite project with the potential to create 233 jobs in North Queensland has gained Coordinated Project status, turbocharging the major critical minerals development. 

Graphinex’s Esmeralda Graphite Project involves developing a greenfield graphite mine at Croydon in North-West Queensland, and a processing plant in Townsville, which will help build Queensland’s critical minerals capabilities in both graphite mining and battery anode manufacturing. 

The Coordinated Project declaration allows the Coordinator-General to facilitate environmental approvals from the Queensland and Federal Governments and involve stakeholder and community consultation processes. 

Subject to approvals, construction is anticipated to start in 2027, with operations expected to begin approximately 18 months later. 

The project is backed by capital secured through a trade mission to North America led by Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last earlier this year, with the Crisafulli Government playing ‘matchmaker’ to secure critical international investment and restore Queensland’s international reputation, which was badly damaged by Labor’s unpredictable anti-mining policies. 

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, said the Coordinated Project declaration underscored the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to providing investment certainty through streamlined resource project approvals. 

“This declaration demonstrates how the Crisafulli Government is partnering with the private sector to supercharge new job creating projects right across the State,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said. 

“De-risking the delivery of projects like this through whole-of-government approval coordination is supporting more Queensland investment and creating more well-paying Queensland resource jobs. 

“Under the Crisafulli Government, Queensland is well and truly open for business.” 

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said investors were responding to the Crisafulli Government's delivery of policy stability and investment certainty. 

“This is an exciting milestone that positions Queensland as a leader in graphite mining and processing,” Minister Last said. 

“With a reported 25 million tonnes of graphite in this region – the third-largest deposit in the world – this project will help build Queensland’s critical minerals capability and strengthen domestic supply chains. 

“Investors are looking at jurisdictions that offer certainty, clarity and low sovereign risk, but unfortunately, the former Labor Government trashed Queensland’s reputation with unpredictable anti-mining policies that sent investor confidence off a cliff. 

“Those investors now see Queensland under the Crisafulli Government ticking every box, delivering stability and investment-friendly policies that create jobs across our state."

Queensland’s Coordinator-General Gerard Coggan highlighted the significance of the rigorous assessment process required for a coordinated project declaration, and the whole of government coordination provided by his office.