The Queensland Government has announced that Vecco Group has been secured as the foundation customer for the Queensland Resources Common User Facility (QRCUF) in Townsville following the completion of major construction, marking a milestone for the state’s critical minerals processing and advanced manufacturing sector.
According to the Queensland Government, Vecco Group will use the Australian-first facility to demonstrate and validate its vanadium production processes, supporting the development of what it describes as Australia’s first pit-to-product vanadium flow battery supply chain.
The government said the QRCUF is designed to help mining and resource companies test and refine mineral processing techniques, reducing project risks and helping bring critical minerals projects to market more quickly.
The announcement forms part of the Queensland Government’s broader critical minerals strategy, with the 2026-27 Budget allocating $46.1 million over three years to accelerate the extraction, processing and export of critical minerals, alongside $6.4 million over two years to support the re-commercialisation of former mine sites for critical minerals extraction.
The government also said it will undertake a review of the Financial Provisioning Scheme to support resources investment.
Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the facility would help strengthen Queensland’s critical minerals industry.
“The completion of QRCUF means junior miners and explorers can de-risk their projects and accelerate development – that means more jobs and faster,” Last said.
“Vecco Group signing on as our foundation customer shows strong industry confidence and reflects the critical role QRCUF will play in fast-tracking projects from testing through to production.”
He added that the government’s budget commitments and planned policy review were intended to encourage investment and support industry growth.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the completion of the facility would help position Queensland as a destination for critical minerals processing and advanced manufacturing investment.
“North Queensland is home to around $700 billion in critical mineral resources, and we’re backing that potential with the infrastructure and investment needed to attract new industries, create good jobs and strengthen Queensland’s economy,” Bleijie said.
“This state-of-the-art facility will help cement Townsville’s position as a globally competitive hub for critical minerals innovation, delivering long-term economic opportunities for North Queensland and the entire state.”
Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said the facility would build on Townsville’s established resources sector.
“Townsville has long been a powerhouse for Queensland’s resources sector and this new facility builds on that legacy by creating more local jobs, strengthening our processing capability and backing the industries that will drive our region’s future,” Poole said.
Vecco Group Managing Director Thomas Northcott welcomed the partnership, describing the QRCUF as an important step for the company’s vanadium processing plans.
“The QRCUF is a significant milestone for Queensland’s critical minerals industry and will support the development and demonstration of new vanadium processing capability in the State,” Northcott said.
“For Vecco, QRCUF represents an important step in progressing our integrated vanadium supply chain toward a shovel-ready project, from Queensland ore through to downstream electrolyte production for vanadium flow batteries.”
