Member for Bowman, Henry Pike, has announced that the new federal government will honour the commitment from the former LNP Government to fund a key critical minerals project in the Redlands.
The previous LNP Government committed $20 million in grants funding to position Australia as a critical minerals powerhouse, and support projects that will deliver new job and economic opportunities.
“I am pleased that my advocacy to the new government has borne fruit and will ensure that the Redlands is at the forefront of one of Australia’s most exciting emerging industries,” Mr Pike said.
A grant for $5.24 million, was committed by the previous government to Lava Blue who are developing modular re-processing technology to recover high-purity alumina, magnesium and critical minerals from vanadium mine waste.
Lava Blue is investing in this new technology in a pilot program at the Redlands Research Station in Cleveland with the Queensland University of Technology and with the support of the Queensland Government’s Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
The investment will create over a dozen new specialised research jobs in the Redlands.
“After stressing the importance of this project to the new Minister, I am glad that the government has now provided funding certainty to this vital local project,” Mr Pike said.
“This is a rare collaboration that promises to advance Australia’s competitiveness in one of the most exciting frontiers of battery technology.”
“I am very excited about the economic opportunities that exist for the Redlands in becoming a leading precinct for new battery technology research.”