Astron gets govt nod for Victorian rare earth-mineral sands mine

Astron Corporation and its joint venture partner, United States-based Energy Fuels Inc, have received the final regulatory tick of approval from the State Government to proceed with the massive Donald Mineral Sands (DMS) project in western Victoria.

The work plan approval, granted by Resources Victoria’s earth resources regulator, marks the final major hurdle before full-scale development can begin at the 42-year life-of-mine project, 15 kilometres east of Minyip. The approval is a critical step for DMS and a major win for Australia’s rare earths and critical minerals sector.

Astron Corporation and its joint venture partner, United States-based Energy Fuels, have received final approval for the Donald Mineral Sands mine plan in western Victoria.

Under the joint venture agreement, Energy Fuels is set to earn up to a 49 per cent stake in DMS by injecting $183 million into staged funding for the first phase of development, along with US$17.5 million (A$27 million) worth of its own shares.

The partners are planning a first-phase development covering a substantial 1143 hectares, designed to process 7.5 million tonnes of ore annually. The operation is forecast to deliver about 7000t of rare earth concentrate and 250,000t of heavy mineral concentrate each year.

A potential second phase could extend the mine’s life beyond 58 years and significantly increase production capacity.

‘We are pleased to receive the Victorian Government’s approval for our work plan. It is the result of years of planning, environmental assessment and community engagement.’

Donald Mineral Sands managing director Tiger Brown

The end product is expected to contain a rich mix of strategic minerals, such as zirconium, titanium, neodymium and praseodymium, which are vital for everything from smartphone screens to electric vehicles and defence technologies.

A recent grade control drilling campaign has defined the first two years of mining and revealed zones with up to 40 per cent heavy mineral content.

Plant engineering is advancing, with a modularisation study by Sedgman and Mineral Technologies indicating lower build costs and faster timelines.

Offtake deals are also shaping up, with Energy Fuels taking all the rare earth concentrate for processing at its White Mesa facility in Utah, while China’s JinDi has signed a non-binding agreement to purchase more than 70 per cent of the heavy mineral concentrate.

Ongoing negotiations with JinDi are underway to close out an official offtake agreement, and Astron has reported strong interest from commercial lenders following a favourable independent technical review.

Donald Mineral Sands managing director Tiger Brown said: “We are pleased to receive the Victorian Government’s approval for our work plan. It is the result of years of planning, environmental assessment and community engagement. We are committed to responsible environmental practice in the development and operation of the Donald project - and excited for the regional growth, benefits and opportunities it will generate over the decades.”

Brown said the partners would take a responsible and community-focused approach to mining at DMS, guided by three core principles that put the land, the locals and long-term benefits front and centre.

The company recognises it’s a guest on land with deep agricultural roots, which is why it is using a “moving hole” mining method of digging, extracting and rehabilitating as it progresses. This progressive approach means areas can be returned to productive farmland soon after mining passes through, ensuring the region’s farming legacy is preserved for future generations.

Secondly, DMS sees farming and mining as allies in building a stronger, more resilient regional economy. DMS is expected to create 536 full-time equivalent jobs and pump more than $200 million into the local economy every year, supporting everything from local suppliers to small businesses and families.

Management also sees transparency as a critical long-standing practice. Its open-door office in Minyip has welcomed locals for nearly 20 years, and Brown says the company is committed to ongoing, honest engagement.

To that end, and as part of the approved permit documents, the partners detailed plans for mining methods, processing operations and comprehensive environmental management strategies. Dust, noise, water and land rehabilitation are all addressed in the mine plan, which has been rigorously assessed by multiple Victorian Government agencies.

DMS will launch a Donald project environmental review committee, with representatives nominated from local government, the Barengi Gadjin Land Council and community stakeholders.

The committee will monitor the mine’s environmental performance and ensure DMS remains transparent and accountable throughout its operations.

The company has already tipped nearly $200,000 into local not-for-profit initiatives and plans to roll out a broader community partnership involving local businesses and organisations.

With all the necessary boxes ticked, Astron should be able to move towards a final investment decision for DMS, which could kickstart one of the most significant rare earths mining developments in Victoria’s history.

Discovered in the 1980s, the Donald resource has long been viewed as a world-class opportunity. Now, thanks to the global hunger for critical minerals and a regulatory green light, it may be ready to deliver.

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