The Dianne Copper Mine Project at Palmer River, south-west of Cooktown, is set to ramp back up to full operations within the next 18 months on the back of a $1.3 million funding windfall from the Queensland Government. Photo: Revolver Resources.
Revolver Resources has accelerated plans to recommission a Far North Queensland copper project after a $1.3 million injection of funds from the State Government.
The miner announced last week the funding would assist in the development of a series of technical studies, and engineering and environmental management designs, and fast-track the project by up to six months.
The funding has been provided by the government’s Queensland Critical Minerals and Battery Technology Fund.
The project at Palmer River, south-west of Cooktown, is scheduled to be fully operational in the next 18 months, subject to regulatory approvals and finance.
Revolver Resources managing director Pat Williams said the company was seeking to re-establish the mine in line with the rising global demand for copper to supply electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging infrastructure, batteries, and renewable energy generation.
“The objectives of the fund and our plans at the Dianne Copper Mine Project align neatly,” he said.
“This grant enables us to accelerate the final engineering and design workstreams for the project as we drive towards targeted recommencement of mining activities at Dianne.”
Prior to its closure in 1983, the mine was producing 63,758 tonnes of ore, with an average copper grade of 22.7 per cent – the highest-grade copper in Australia’s history.
Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals Scott Stewart said the funding would continue the state’s ongoing association with copper production.
“Queensland is host to large and long-lived copper mining activities, with new deposits still being discovered, and developments successfully progressed,” he said.
“The renewal of old mines is a key action identified in our Queensland Resources Industry Development Plan, and it’s great to see Revolver Resources take advantage of the opportunity a legacy operation like this is presenting.”
Revolver Resources said it believed the mine would support about 23 new full-time jobs and opportunities for 10 apprentices and trainees.
