Criterion 1 - Technical and analytical expertise
Respondent to demonstrate:
• Technical expertise in metallurgical and smelting processes
• Expertise in designing and implementing operating model improvements within heavy industry and resource operations
• Industrial transformation and feasibility study capability
• Infrastructure and supply chain expertise
• Economic, commercial and market analysis capability
• Environmental and regulatory understanding

Criterion 2 - Operational and delivery capability
Respondent to provide:
• Project management and delivery approach
• Relevant team qualifications and key personnel

Criterion 3 - Engagement and strategic insight
Respondent to demonstrate:
• Stakeholder engagement and communication capability – including a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy which must include a formal submission opportunity for any interested person, and in-person community engagement
• Local and regional knowledge and experience
• Innovation and strategic insight

Criterion 4 - Value for Money
Price will be reviewed to ensure it is within budget and that overall value for money is being considered in achieving outcome.
Refer to Section 5 of Schedule A - Response Schedule.

Question:
Good morning

I wanted to query whether an extension to the current tender closing date is possible.

Given the tight timeframes, the depth of the scope, and requirements, an extension would assist us to prepare a complete, high-quality submission that fully addresses the requirements.

Any extension would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

AEC Group

Answered on 19/Feb/2026 01:31 PM:


Unfortunately, an extension is not possible given the timeframes for delivering the study by the end of 2026 with a draft prior to 30 September 2026.

Question:
Can the Department please confirm if the page limit excludes an executive summary or cover letter?

Answered on 19/Feb/2026 04:59 PM:


The 20-page limit applies to the entirety of the EOI submission.

Question:
We are looking to put together a consortium of consultants to submit an EOI for the NW Minerals Province, we have deep technical, managerial and executive experience in the NW Minerals Province and also with similar basin / company scale transformation studies in some of Australia's largest Mining Companies.

The Desired Outcomes (Scope) of the Transformation Study is extremely broad, and the level of analysis, valuation and recommendations could be quite in-depth to answer the scope/TOR questions in sufficient detail for the Department.

Question: Can the department please clarify the level of detail they are seeking for the Desired Outcomes (a) to (k)? Potential level of detail categories could be as follows (listed from least to most detailed):

1) High level Review, directional recommendations Memo. DESCRIPTION: High level review and recommendations, no valuation model

2) Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) Memo. DESCRIPTION: By scope item with directional valuation and recommendations attached

3) Strategic Roadmap (Current State to Future State) Report. DESCRIPTION: By Scope item articulate the competitive landscape, key decision points (state and private sector) and state policy changes (or co-investments) required to transition to the future state with supporting recommendations and directional valuation model.


3) Concept study. DESCRIPTION: Concept study with supporting report, maps/plans, models (technical and valuation), key projects, co-investments and decision points (private sector and government) with recommendations attached

4) Future State Design. DESCRIPTION: For each scope item what could the NW Minerals Providence look like after Transformation. i.e. what is the decision tree, policy initiatives and co-investments and regulatory engagement required to enable the future state design (with supporting report, models (technical and valuation), list of key projects, co-investments and initiatives with the private sector. Decision points with recommendations attached.

Answering the level of detail required will assist us to understand the level of capability (i.e. managerial or deep technical) we need to apply to each of the scope elements and the level of consulting hours to apply to each of scope items.

Answered on 19/Feb/2026 05:00 PM:


The level of detail to be provided is a matter for respondents to determine, having regard to the scope and requirements outlined in the EOI.

Question:
Could we please confirm that the 20-page limit applies to all documentation (i,.e. inclusive of key personnel CVs)?

Answered on 19/Feb/2026 05:01 PM:


The 20-page limit applies to the entirety of the EOI submission.

Question:
Good morning - Can the Department please clarify the following:

1. In Section 1.1 of the EOI, the facilities are defined as Mount Isa Copper Smelter and Townsville Copper Refinery. However, after this background section, only Mt Isa or NWMP are referred to. Is the Study to include Townsville (Copper Refinery) as well or just Mount Isa and the NWMP?

2. Section 1.1 states that the purpose of the study is “… to provide a comprehensive assessment of the whole-of-region economic potential of the North West Minerals Province in Queensland and the potential future of copper smelting and refining in that context.” However Section 2 states that “The intention of the transformation study is to form a view of the long-term viability of the facilities based on the review of the end-to-end copper value chain within the copper industry and the economic potential of the North West Mineral Province.” This purpose and intention are not fully aligned. Please clarify.

3. It appears that to achieve the purpose and intention of the study, it will be necessary to do understand the All-In-Sustaining-Cost (AISC) of smelting and refining copper at the facilities, including the drivers and variability of those costs. Some drivers are mentioned in the scope but not all; should all significant cost drivers be considered and will information be made available by Glencore?

4. It appears that to achieve the purpose and intention of the study, it will be necessary to undertake economic impact assessments for the two cases of ongoing operation or closure of the facilities. Is this correct?

5. Are they any exclusions or limitations to the terms of reference?

6. With regard to evaluation:

a. Can CVs be excluded from the page count?

b. Section 1.1 of the EOI requires “The costs associated with realising identified long-term opportunities must also be assessed.” Will cost estimation skills and experience be part of the technical and analytical expertise evaluated?

c. Will this EOI be evaluated in accordance with the five pillars of the Queensland Government Procurement Policy? If so, which section of the evaluation criteria covers this?

Answered on 19/Feb/2026 01:41 PM:
(edited on 20/Feb/2026 08:51 AM)


1. Yes, the Study includes the copper value chain, including the Townsville Copper Refinery.

2. The purpose of the study is aligned.

The assessment of facility viability is not a separate or competing purpose. It is a component of the whole-of-region economic potential of the North-West Minerals Province in Queensland.

3. Respondents should identify any material assumptions in their responses to the EOI and what that means for the scope of their proposal and assumed costs, including where it is dependent on the provision of specific information held by a third-party.

4. It is up to respondents to put forward what they consider will be the best approach to responding to the EOI.

5. The Terms of Reference define the scope and boundaries of the Study.

6A. No. Please prioritise CVs to include most relevant experience.

6B. The evaluation criteria are as stated in the EOI

6C. Yes. The five pillars are broadly assessed under Value for money noted in section 3.2 of the EOI