@MajorJohnny, very true.
Just looped back to the NAIF site, and see to date they've allocated $3.3B in committed loans, so that would make it $3.7B left in the kitty.
They've loaned to four other projects in the Townsville area, including the Cowboys Community, Training and High Performance Centre. While you may not think of footy as a nation building project, it's designed to retain and attract sporting talent and inject more business and social activity into the city, with 213 construction jobs & 58 operational jobs.
QPM's TECH project is I think looking at 800-plus jobs in construction and directly employ 300-plus people in operation.
While we enter the final countdown for approvals, the DFS and NAIF due diligence completion, have you wondered what sort of economy does Townsville currently enjoy, and will we be able to build and operate the TECH project with people, not robots?
It's quite varied, and is known as the second capital of QLD, as I found out today. In the greater Townsville area, here's a breakdown of sector employment from https://app.remplan.com.au/townsvillenorthqueensland/economy/industries/employment?state=yra1F2!MJGgF0dMzFOVA6jUk5BgMSYtrfpK8hoNYNwfP8x8GfbfjaTxfoSOO7BSx9p
So the construction phase will be very welcome, employing one in 10 workers in the local industry.
Those CBUS adverts you see where workers tell their partners 'I built that', is looking to play out here; such a great thing for the region.
No wonder Townsville City Council are fully supportive:
https://www.townsville.qld.gov.au/lansdownThere looks to be plenty of competition for the operational roles, with some of the workforce of the previous nickel processor and over 4000 in the professional, scientific and tech services fields, plus of course those looking to relocate.
K-Sure would be looking to have LG & POSCO's back. In their latest annual report, the chairman signs off with this paragraph which ties in so well with QPM's latest announcement:
Lots to contemplate for QPM holders and those looking to jump in before say, an election announcement, eh
@Shaq_01?
(20min delay)