US investors back Queensland to deliver new critical minerals supply chain

• The Crisafulli Government welcomes long-term agreement for the purchase of concentrate from Huntore Australia’s tin mine in the State’s far north.
• The off-take agreement with Nathan Trotter & Co strengthens the critical minerals supply chain between Queensland and the United States.
• The Crisafulli Government is accelerating the extraction, processing and export of high-quality critical minerals to the world, driving investment in new critical minerals projects.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering more jobs and better services through a stronger economy by attracting more resource investment and building stronger trade ties with the United States.  

The Crisafulli Government has welcomed a new deal that will see a Queensland tin mine supply up to 100 per cent of production to the United States, in an effort to secure resilient supply chains with strategic allies.  

Established in the 1700’s, US Department of Defence-backed tin refiner Nathan Trotter & Co has entered into an offtake agreement to purchase up to 100% of Huntore’s production.    

Huntore employs up to 25 staff through local contractors at its Mount Garnet polymetallic operations approximately 100kms south west of Cairns, with the mine expected to produce up to 3 000 tonnes per year. 

The agreement comes following Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last’s US trade mission in early 2025 and the Premier’s mission last month. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering more jobs and better services through a stronger economy by attracting more resource investment.  

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the agreement was another example of the Crisafulli Government accelerating the extraction, processing and export of high-quality critical minerals to the world and strengthening supply chains between Queensland and the United States. 

“We know that investment follows confidence and this agreement is exactly what happens when the government delivers a stable regulatory environment that companies can invest in,” Minister Last said. 

“With 51 of the world’s critical minerals, more than $1 trillion in resource potential, thousands of highly skilled workers and a government that genuinely wants to see resources projects get off the ground, Queensland is quickly becoming a globally competitive investment location for critical minerals development.  

“We will continue backing projects like Mount Garnett that position Queensland to meet global demand and the restructuring of international supply chains.  

“The Crisafulli Government’s Delivering Queensland’s Critical Minerals Future 2026-2030 alongside our investment of $146 million in the 2026-27 Budget will support the industry to accelerate extraction, processing and export opportunities to strengthen Queensland’s position as a global supplier of critical minerals. 

“I want to congratulate Huntore on this agreement and look forward to seeing more global investment in Queensland’s critical minerals industry.” 

Huntore Australia Chairman Jim Moonier said the deal was a major win for Queensland’s critical minerals industry. 

“A big selling point in our negotiations with Nathan Trotter was Queensland’s strong international reputation for environmental, social and governance standards (ESG),” he said. 

“Queensland is a good place to do business in because we have a stable operating environment and a government that is willing to work with industry. 

“I’m hoping this deal is the first of many for our polymetallic operation in Mt Garnet.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Daunt, 0487 151 453