Community & Business
22 September, 2026
Expansion and US deal for Mt Carbine
THOUSANDS of tonnes of tungsten from Mt Carbine will be shipped overseas as part of an agreement between the mine’s owner, EQ Resources, and two USA companies to restart a tungsten processing plant in Nevada.
THOUSANDS of tonnes of tungsten from Mt Carbine will be shipped overseas as part of an agreement between the mine’s owner, EQ Resources, and two USA companies to restart a tungsten processing plant in Nevada.
EQR has signed a binding framework agreement with The Elmet Group and Blue Moon Metals to help restart the Springer APT processing plant as it progresses a $39 million expansion of the Mt Carbine operation which will double the amount of ore the mine can crush each year.
EQR is set to take a 10% stake in the proposed plant joint venture and supply 4,000 tonnes of contained tungsten in concentrate over eight years once the Nevada plant is commissioned.
That supply will come from EQR’s producing operations in Australia and Spain.
EQR is using its own cash reserves and operating cash flows to increase the processing capacity at its Mt Carbine mine, with completion targeted for March 2027.
“Already a leading Western tungsten producer, EQR is increasing its capacity to help meet growing demand for reliable tungsten supply,” investor relations manager Rosalyn MacNeill said.
“The important point for EQR is that we are not simply investing cash into a US project.
“EQR is contributing Australian-developed engineering, processing, commissioning and ore-sorting expertise, together with a long-term supply of tungsten concentrate.
“For EQR, the proposed joint venture creates a strategic downstream pathway into secure Western processing while we continue expanding production and capability here in Queensland.”
From the machinery used on farms and in mining operations, to smartphones, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, defence equipment and the computing infrastructure supporting AI, tungsten plays a role in the technologies and industries modern economies rely on every day.
Its extraordinary hardness, density and ability to withstand extreme heat is why the material is so important for a variety of industry sectors.
As the leading Western tungsten producer, Mt Carbine’s output is substantial, achieving a record monthly revenue of $19.9 million in August alone.
The expansion of the mine’s capacity will involve more than 17 Queensland suppliers and contractors, spanning Cairns, Mareeba, Townsville, Gladstone, Emerald and Brisbane.
“It also involves the development of a broader Far North Queensland tungsten hub connecting Mt Carbine, Wolfram Camp, Mt White and more than 1,100 sq km of surrounding exploration tenure,” Ms MacNeill said.
“Queensland Government support is also helping unlock the next wave through the Abandoned Mine Lands Program and a $250,000 grant for advanced ore-sorting trials at Wolfram Camp, supporting the assessment of future regional investment, employment and critical-minerals supply.
“We are taking expertise developed here – through Australian people, Australian operations and years of practical tungsten experience – and using it to secure a stronger position for EQR and Australian tungsten within allied global supply chains.”
EQR managing director Craig Bradshaw described the joint venture agreement as a “transformational step” for the company.
“We are already producing tungsten from Australia and Spain, and this proposed JV gives us a pathway into downstream APT processing in the United States. It strengthens the platform we are building: producing today, scaling for tomorrow,” he said.
“This is a proud Australian story. From Mt Carbine in Queensland, EQR is producing a critical mineral that matters to allied supply chains. This proposed joint venture shows how Australian production and technical capability can play a meaningful role in secure Western tungsten supply.
“Tungsten supply security is no longer just a mining issue; it is a strategic issue. EQR is producing today, building capability across our operations, and helping create the connections needed to support Western industry for the long term.”
Member for Cook David Kempton said the joint venture agreement would increase the mine’s workforce and boost the local and regional economy.
“With the backing of the Queensland and US Governments, the project will see the export of Australian tungsten to the US for use in more than 100 defence programs such as their fleet of F-35 jets, Patriot missiles and Virginia and Columbia class submarines,” he said.
“Tungsten is a very valuable mineral critical to world security.”
