Joint media release with Minister for Resources and Water the Hon Keith Pitt MP, and Member for Parkes the Hon Mark Coulton MP

The Morrison Government is supporting the development of a mining, processing and recycling project that will bring new jobs and economic benefits to communities in regional NSW.

Sunrise Energy Metals has been granted Major Project Status for its $2.4 billion Sunrise Battery Materials Complex project at Fifield, near Condobolin NSW. The project will develop and operate a nickel/cobalt mine and battery materials processing and recycling facility. 

The project will produce high-purity cobalt/nickel sulphates for the rapidly expanding lithium-ion battery market along with the rare alloying metal, scandium.

Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the Sunrise project is expected to support over 1700 full-time jobs over the three-year engineering and construction phase and a further 380 jobs each year over the anticipated 50-year life of the project.

“The Morrison Government is pleased to support the Sunrise Battery Materials project, which will deliver big rewards for regional NSW communities, build our sovereign capability and create new jobs,” Minister Taylor said.

“Australia is lucky to have some of the largest reserves of the critical minerals and metals which drive the modern global economy. As part of the Morrison Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy we are committed to building Australia’s capability in critical minerals processing and increase our contribution to global battery supply chains, which is exactly what this project is about.”

Minister for Resources and Water Keith Pitt said the project directly supports Australia’s Critical Mineral Strategy 2019.

“This project will help Australia continue to take full advantage of our rich reserves of these key resources,” Minister Pitt said.

“Growth in the battery sector has fuelled demand for Australian nickel, for example.

“Australia’s nickel exports are expected to grow more than 25 per cent next year - from around 200,000 tonnes in 2020-21 to 256,000 tonnes in 2022-23 – on the back of global battery manufacturers looking to secure stable supplies of critical minerals.”

Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the announcement will provide some terrific new economic opportunities for the region.

“Critical minerals offer an exciting new phase for Australia’s successful resources sector with enormous potential for new jobs and investment and I’m delighted to see the Lachlan region being a part of that,” Mr Coulton said.

“This adds to reputation of the Parkes electorate as a major contributor to primary production in Australia. I welcome new projects like this that will bring more jobs to the region.”

Major Project Status helps companies access extra support, coordination, and information services from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency which acts as a single-entry point into the Australian Government regulatory approvals pathway. 

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 contacts:

Minister Taylor’s office: 02 6277 7120

Minister Pitt's office: 02 6277 7180

Mr Coulton's office: 02 6277 4717