Business · Companies · 4 hrs ago
Queensland mining expansion faces a shortage of skilled workers
Mining companies in Queensland’s North West Minerals Province are expanding projects and reopening mines, but they say they cannot find enough skilled workers.
The region in the state’s north-west is rich in minerals and has about 85 critical minerals projects underway.
AIC Mines has secured an agreement to acquire the Mt Cuthbert copper project, which has been in care and maintenance since 2022.
The company says hiring local workers is difficult and that fly-in fly-out staff from Townsville and Brisbane may be needed.
Australia’s mining industry needs 24,000 new workers by 2027, according to the Australian Resources and Energy Employer Association.
The biggest gaps include mining engineers, geologists, electricians and mechanical engineers, while other projects, including Olympic Games infrastructure work, compete for skilled staff.
A copper-silver mine near Mount Isa is set to restart by year’s end, and industry representatives say more apprentices are needed to help build the workforce.
Mining companies in Queensland’s North West Minerals Province say a shortage of skilled workers could hamper expanding and restarting projects.
The region has about 85 critical minerals projects underway and an estimated $680 billion worth of resources.
AIC Mines has secured an agreement to acquire the Mt Cuthbert copper project, which has been in care and maintenance since 2022.
A copper-silver mine near Mount Isa that once employed about 400 people is set to restart by the end of the year.
A national industry association says mining will need 24,000 new workers by 2027 to support projects across Australia.
- Who
- Mining companies in Queensland’s North West Minerals Province are seeking skilled workers. The Queensland Resources Council says shortages affect the industry nationally.
- What
- A shortage of skilled workers is threatening to hamper mining expansion and project restarts.
- When
- The article was published on October 26, 2026. A mine near Mount Isa is set to restart by the end of the year, and the industry is forecast to need 24,000 workers by 2027.
- Where
- Queensland’s North West Minerals Province, including areas near Mount Isa and Cloncurry.
- Why
- Companies are competing for workers amid new mining projects and other demands, including public infrastructure construction in south-east Queensland.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The Mt Cuthbert site has been in care and maintenance.
The mining industry is expected to need 24,000 new workers to support projects across Australia.
Operations at a copper-silver mine near Mount Isa are set to restart.
- Region
- North West Minerals Province, Queensland
- Estimated resources
- $680 billion
- Projects underway
- About 85 critical minerals projects
- Mt Cuthbert
- AIC Mines secured a binding agreement to acquire the project
- Industry workforce need
- 24,000 new workers by 2027
What people are saying
It's not straightforward. We are having difficulty everywhere
One of the main reasons for it is that we have competing skill needs, and a lot of these skill needs are coming from the south-east corner [of Queensland]
A lot of the local community benefit directly, through those jobs as well as the spending