Astron (ASX:ATR) said on Monday (October 20) that Australia has granted major project status to the Donald rare earths and mineral sands project, its joint venture with Energy Fuels (TSX:EFR,NYSEAMERICAN:UUUU).
Donald is located approximately 300 kilometers northwest of Melbourne in Minyip, Victoria, Australia, and is regarded as “one of the world’s most significant rare earths resources outside China.”
It currently holds a total mineral resource of 1.81 billion tonnes grading 4.6 percent.
“This (designation) will streamline our engagement with federal agencies and accelerate our pathway to development,” commented Astron Managing Director Tiger Brown in a press release. “The Donald project will create significant employment opportunities and deliver long-term economic benefits to the Wimmera region of Victoria as well as strengthen Australia’s sovereign capability in critical minerals and advanced technology supply chains.”
Donald has a planned mine life of 58 years, with expected annual output of 9,000 tonnes of rare earths in Phase 1.
In a separate announcement, Energy Fuels said Export Finance Australia (EFA) has expressed support for the project and will provide AU$80 million via senior debt financing. The total amount needed to develop Donald is AU$520 million.
Energy Fuels CEO Mark Chalmers said that the support is a “key additional step” in the project’s financing pathway and a “strong vote of confidence” in the project’s capacity and potential.
“(It) reflects our on-going progress toward delivering one of Australia’s most important rare earth projects, including valuable NdPr, and exceptional concentrations of Dy, Tb and other ‘heavy’ rare earth oxides, which upon project development will be processed and separated into high-purity products at our White Mesa Mill in Utah,” he added.
According to a work plan for Donald published in June, the progression towards a final investment decision for the project is expected within 2025. Commencement of production at Donald is scheduled for 2027.
Rare earths have been heavily spotlighted this month after China dramatically expanded its control over rare earth exports, a sector crucial to global tech and defense industries.
The October 10 announcement from the Ministry of Commerce adds five new elements — holmium, erbium, thulium, europium and ytterbium — along with key refining technologies to its export control list.
The new rules carry a global reach: any foreign company producing rare earth materials or magnets using Chinese-origin equipment or technology must now obtain an export license from Beijing.
Crucially, applications for defense-related or advanced semiconductor projects, including cutting-edge AI with military potential, will face intense scrutiny and are likely to be denied.
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.