Avenira has been given the green light for mining activities at the Wonarah phosphate deposit in the Barkly region, with the Northern Territory Government awarding the company two mineral leases.
The issue of the mineral leases will enable Avenira to extract a bulk sample for testing, and if successful, commence a Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) operation.
Avenira secured environmental approvals prior to these licences before being awarded.This presents a significant economic and strategic opportunity for the Northern Territory, as the projected demand for phosphate is set to grow as a significant component in lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) batteries, used in electric vehicles and stationary storage.
A future stage of the project will include a LFP battery cathode manufacturing facility, which will source phosphate from the Wonarah deposit for an integrated operation.
It’s estimated the LFP plant will initially create 100 jobs, increasing to 1,000 jobs and generating more than USD$4 billion in revenue annually once scaled to full production.
The Darwin Critical Minerals Dialogue is also taking place from 12-14 April, which will bring together key leaders and stakeholders from Australia, Japan and the US to discuss critical mineral production and supply-chain security.
Northern Territory Chief Minister, Natash Fyles, said, “We are creating long term jobs across the entire Territory.
“The granting of these two mineral leases to Avenira will help to position the Territory as the next Australian home of advanced manufacturing, develop new skills and jobs, as well as support our objective to achieve a $40 billion economy by 2030.
“With the potential to create 1,000 jobs this project will benefit Territorians from the Top End to the Barkly.”
Avenira Chairman and CEO, Brett Clark, said, “We are pleased to receive the mineral leases supporting the company’s proposed mining activities at Wonarah. We can now proceed towards commencement of test pit activities as an interim stage to DSO production.
“Wonarah test pit will set up the logistic supply chains that will enable future DSO production and underpin the important role that Wonarah can play in the development of a downstream LFP battery cathode manufacturing facility in the Northern Territory. We would like to acknowledge the Northern Territory Government for their support.”
