Community
26 March, 2025
Mine to create 180 jobs
A DEAL has been signed for a new mine between Mourilyan Harbour and Kurrimine Beach on the Cassowary Coast which will involve up to 180 jobs.
Cassowary Coast Regional Council has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Silica Resources Australia (SRA).
The council said the agreement came at no financial cost to ratepayers, supported local employment, strengthened regional infrastructure and attracted responsible investment.
“This MOU is a crucial step in positioning the Cassowary Coast as a key player in Queensland’s critical minerals and logistics sectors” said Mayor Teresa Millwood.
“We are planning for the future, ensuring that our region remains a great place to live, work and raise a family for generations to come.
“This partnership with Silica Resources Australia is about delivering opportunities that will support local businesses, create stable jobs and enhance infrastructure while preserving the lifestyle and environment that make our region unique.”
The project is expected to generate about 180 jobs during construction, with ongoing roles to follow. Councillor Renee McLeod said that improved infrastructure would help local businesses thrive, attract further investment, and strengthen the local economy, creating lasting benefits for future generations.
“This is about building a strong, resilient economy that supports, not just our current workforce, but also the young people who will be looking for opportunities in the years ahead,” she said. “We want to make sure that our children and grandchildren can find good jobs here at home, rather than needing to move away,” she said.
SRA managing director Rob Tindall said the company was 100 per cent Australian-owned and “these improvements will, not only benefit SRA, but the existing industries in the Cassowary Coast region and will help to attract new industries to the area and boost the local economy”.
“SRA plans to implement on-shore beneficiation, where we, not only extract the silica, but we also process as much of the product as we can locally before exporting,” he said.
“By doing this, we will increase the amount of local jobs created by the project. The site of the deposit at Kurrimine Beach has been used for building and construction sand for decades.
“Silicon, which is made from silica, is on the Australian Government’s critical minerals list and high-purity, fine deposits are globally in high demand.
“Silica is vital for the global green energy transition and technological innovations. The high-purity sand can be used in solar panels, smartphones and semi-conductors.”
