QEM Ltd (ASX:QEM) managing director Gavin Loyden joins Proactive’s Tylah Tully to discuss the outcomes of a scoping study for the Julia Creek Project in northwest Queensland, which demonstrates robust economic viability and no significant barriers to advance towards a pre-feasibility.
The post-tax NPV (8%) is estimated at A$1.106 billion with an internal rate of return (IRR) of 16.3%. Julia Creek is projected to generate a total revenue of A$21.7 billion over its 30-year mine life, primarily from vanadium pentoxide (A$11.5 billion) and transport fuel sales (A$10.1 billion). Pre-production capital expenditure is estimated at A$791 million, with a payback period of approximately five years from the start of mining operations.
The mine will target annual production of 10,571 tonnes of 99.5% pure vanadium pentoxide and 313 million litres of transport fuel. Mineralisation is to be sourced from a shallow open-cut pit, with an average strip ratio of 5:1. The project has a significant JORC mineral resource of 2.87 billion tonnes at 0.31% V₂O₅ and includes substantial oil resources.
QEM aims to supply high-purity vanadium pentoxide for energy storage applications, particularly Vanadium Flow Batteries. Additionally, the project aims to enhance Australia’s fuel security by producing transport fuel domestically.