A groundbreaking rare earths project has been given the green light for fast-track development to help Australia and its allies secure crucial supplies of critical minerals.
The Arafura Rare Earths Nolans Project 135km north of Alice Springs has been declared the first Significant Project under the Northern Territory Coordinator Act.
That provides a clear and faster pathway through NT government processes for projects of profound economic significance.
The open-cut mine and rare earths processing plant will be the first integrated project of its kind in Australia, with construction expected to begin in September.
Arafura's final investment decision on May 21 to build its Nolans Project marked a major milestone as the West seeks to reduce its economic reliance on China.
