Source: Australian Mines and Metals Association – AMMA
The Australian Resources and Energy Employers Association (AREEA) strongly welcomes Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited’s Final Investment Decision (FID) to proceed with the Eva Copper Project in North-West Queensland – a major shot in the arm for Queensland’s resources sector and a clear signal of investor confidence in the state’s project pipeline.
This landmark decision marks a significant milestone for the Queensland resources sector and underscores the strength of Australia’s mining industry in delivering major projects. The Eva Copper Project, located near Cloncurry and Mount Isa, is anticipated to become Queensland’s largest new mine and one of Australia’s leading copper operations.
According to AREEA’s latest Resources & Energy Workforce Forecast: 2025–2030, Queensland’s resources and energy industries are poised for growth, with FID approval of the Eva Copper Project adding further momentum to this outlook.
The project is one of the 17 major projects identified in AREEA’s Workforce Forecast for Queensland and expected to generate around 450 new operational-phase jobs by 2028, contributing significantly to the more than 4,400 new workers Queensland will require by 2030 to deliver its growing slate of resources developments.
For the local region and the broader Queensland economy the benefits are real and tangible. This development presents substantial employment opportunities during both construction and operation phases, and promises to stimulate local supply-chains, service providers and regional businesses. Harmony has committed to prioritising local employment and supplier engagement in Cloncurry and Mount Isa.
AREEA Deputy Chief Executive Tara Diamond said Harmony’s decision demonstrates what is possible when industry commitment meets favourable investment conditions, but stressed the Queensland Government must ensure projects like Eva Copper continue to move from concept to construction to production without unnecessary regulatory delay.
“Eva Copper is exactly the type of major development Queensland needs to secure long-term regional employment, local business growth and state economic strength,” Ms Diamond said.
“With thousands of new workers required across the sector before 2030, Queensland cannot afford to stall or defer viable, job-creating resources projects.”
The full 2025–2030 Workforce Forecast report is available here.
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