Australia Backs Copi Mineral Sands Mining Project

Written by Martin Lynch, European News Editor for IIR News Intelligence (Sugar Land, Texas)

Summary

The regional  government of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia has given permission for the A$700 million (US$496 million) rare earths Copi Minerals Sands project.

Big Dig for Rare Earths

A new A$700 million (US$496 million) minerals sands mining project has been given the green light by the regional government of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia.

The proposed Copi Minerals Sands rare earths project is being developed by RZ Resources, which called it "one of the world's largest critical minerals deposits." Located 75 kilometers (km) from Wentworth in southwest NSW, it will process up to 27 million tonnes of rare earth material over an 18-year life cycle to produce up to 400,000 tonnes per year of critical mineral ore. The NSW government said it will boost Australia's concerted push to reduce its reliance on China. The green light is a big step towards making the project a reality, but it will still need approval from the federal government and secure additional financing. According to data from Industrial Info Resources, there are six projects related to Copi worth US$625 million. 

The Deposit

The mine will produce titanium minerals including rutile, leucoxene and ilmenite, premium zircon, and rare earth elements including monazite and xenotime - which are crucial in the making of components for for clean energy technologies including electric vehicles (EVs) and wind turbines, as well for the defence, telecommunications and medical device industries. A key advantage for the project is that RZ Resources also owns the Mineral Separation Plant (MSP) on the Brisbane River, the only major mineral processing facility of its kind on Australia's east coast. Currently being refurbished and upgraded, it will be commissioned in 2027 to process third party feedstock ahead of the Copi mine coming online. The company stated: "The MSP will enable the direct export of value-added mineral products without offshore processing, strengthening Australia's sovereign capability in the critical minerals supply chain."

The Decision

Australia's Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said: "NSW is home to some of the world's most significant critical mineral deposits, and we are focused on turning that potential into long-term investment and industry growth. With 21 of the 31 nationally identified critical minerals, NSW is uniquely positioned to be a globally significant supplier. This project will contribute up to 27 million tonnes of critical minerals and rare earth ore every year for almost two decades, which is a significant stride forward in establishing secure supply chains."

Australia's Rare Earths Push

Last month, Industrial Info Resources reported that minerals developer Arafura Rare Earths is to begin construction on one of Australia's most important rare earths projects having secured a major government offtake deal. The government's Export Finance Australia (EFA) initiative has agreed to purchase 500 tonnes per year (t/yr) of neodymium-praseodymium oxide (NdPr) from the US$1 billion Nolans project.  Industrial Info Resources is tracking 11 active Nolans projects worth more than US$1 billion in investment. For additional information, see May 29, 2026, article  - Arafura Approves $1 billion Nolans Rare Earths Project in Australia.

Reducing Chinese Reliance

NSW Minerals Council Chief Executive Stephen Galilee said the Copi project is another example of how Australia is boosting its support for mineral sands and rare earth materials. "One global player has tied up a significant portion of the global market in relation to minerals and mineral sands, and that's China," Galilee told ABC News. "That's why there have been concerted steps over recent years to broaden the supply opportunities globally to access these critical minerals and also to broaden where these critical minerals can be processed."

International Support

The project has the financial backing of two Japanese companies, JX Advanced Metals Corporation and Marubeni Corporation. It is also in line for potential funding as part of last year's U.S.-Australia Critical Minerals Framework deal from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM Bank). If progressed, it could amount up to US$550 million. 

Key Takeaways

• Permission for the rare earths Copi Minerals Sands project has been granted by the regional government of New South Wales (NSW) in Australia.
• It will produce up to 400,000 tonnes a year of critical mineral ore over 18 years.
• Industrial Info Resources is tracking six projects related to Copi worth US$625 million.

About Industrial Info Resources
Industrial Info Resources (IIR) is the leading provider of industrial market intelligence. Since 1983, IIR has provided comprehensive research, news and analysis on the industrial process, manufacturing and energy related industries. IIR's Global Market Intelligence (GMI) helps companies identify and pursue trends across multiple markets with access to real, qualified and validated plant and project opportunities. Across the world, Industrial Info Resources is tracking over 250,000 current and future projects worth $30.2 Trillion (USD).