Queensland Pacific Metals Ltd (ASX:QPM) has secured written approval from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) to construct and operate the TECH Project, situated in Landsdown in Northern Australia.
The approval under the EPBC Act represents a major milestone for the company as it progresses towards a final investment decision for the TECH Project.
The conditions are in line with what is expected for a project of this nature and will not cause any significant impact on how QPM plans to construct and operate.
Moving forward, the other major approval required by QPM is from Townsville City Council and the Queensland State Government, a process which is also well advanced.
About TECH project
QPM’s proposed Townsville Energy Chemicals Hub (TECH) Project is poised to become a sustainable producer of critical chemicals for the lithium-ion battery and electric vehicle sectors, particularly nickel.
The project aims to import high-grade nickel laterite ore from New Caledonia for unloading at the Port of Townsville and then to be transported by road or rail to the TECH Project site at Lansdown.
The site allocated for the project in the Townsville Industrial Precinct has all the necessary infrastructure including water and gas pipelines, electric transmission lines, fibre optic communications, existing Ross River and other solar arrays, road train access to Townsville Port and rail line.