Joint media release with the Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, the Hon Keith Pitt MP

The Morrison Government continues to strengthen the nation’s critical minerals sector, with support for two large job creating projects in the Northern Territory.

Major Project Status has been granted to the Finniss Lithium Mine Project and the Mount Peake Vanadium, Titanium and Iron Mine and Processing Facility.

The Mount Peake project will see a mine site established about 235kms north of Alice Springs and a facility set up in Darwin to produce and process vanadium, titanium and iron. This will create up to 1,600 jobs during construction and up to 1000 ongoing jobs during operation.

The Finniss Project will develop a mining facility near Darwin Port, which will produce highly sought after lithium and generate more than 360 jobs during construction and more than 250 ongoing jobs during operation.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the projects will bring huge economic benefits to the Northern Territory and the rest of Australia.

“Lithium is a valuable export which will only become more important in the future, thanks to its use in a range of everyday items from electric car batteries to smart phones, pace makers and digital cameras,” Minister Andrews said. 

“Products using vanadium, titanium and iron are also in great demand and these two projects will see our nation capturing more value from these resources, which will create jobs in the Northern Territory and economic opportunities for all of Australia. 

“For too long Australia has simply dug up and shipped our critical minerals overseas, but the Morrison Government has made it a priority for our nation to move up the value chain. 

“That’s why Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing is one of six priority areas under our $1.5 billion Modern Manufacturing Strategy.”

Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia Keith Pitt said the granting of Major Project Status supports the Government’s strategy to develop the critical minerals sector, while also supporting economic development and job creation across Northern Australia.

“These projects will be able to supply markets in Asia and Europe with critical minerals, and have the potential to increase downstream processing, increasing supply chain diversification,” Minister Pitt said.

“These are exactly the types of projects that our Government wants to see, as we build on our resource-rich history for the decades ahead.” 

Major Project Status is the Australian Government’s recognition of the strategic significance of a project to Australia. It provides companies with extra support from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency, including a single entry point for Australian Government approvals, project support and coordination with state and territory approvals.

More information on the Major Projects Facilitation Agency and the full list of current major projects is available on the Major Projects Facilitation Agency website.

Media contact:

Minister Andrews' office: 02 6277 7070

Minister Pitt's office: 02 6277 7180