Northern Minerals

Northern Minerals presented Browns Range at the Noosa Mining Conference 2026 as a construction-ready project to supply dysprosium, terbium and yttrium, seeing it as a gap in the western magnet supply chain. The showcased divergence scenario shows a capex of AUD 592m, an NPV of AUD 705m and a pre-tax IRR of 21%; first production is planned for late 2028 to early 2029. The project is linked to the Iluka-supported Eneabba refinery and has binding offtake agreements, but completing project financing remains critical. Northern Minerals highlights large resources (732 Mt) with comparatively small reserves (5.2 Mt) and cites securing financing as the main constraint on the timetable. » More on de.investing.com

The Australian government has asked six major shareholders of Northern Minerals to sell their 17.6 percent stake within two weeks because they have ties to China. The Browns Range project, with rich dysprosium and terbium deposits, is considered a key project in the strategic rare-earths initiative with the US and has loan commitments from the US Export-Import Bank and Export Finance Australia. Canberra justifies the move on security grounds and over concerns that China could exert influence on the production of critical minerals. » More on faz.net

The Australian government ordered the sale of shares held by several shareholders with links to China, Hong Kong and the British Virgin Islands in Northern Minerals to limit foreign interference in the rare earths sector. Treasurer Jim Chalmers justified the measure as protecting national interests and maintaining a robust, non-discriminatory investment framework. Northern Minerals produces dysprosium at Browns Range and positions itself as an alternative to the heavily China-dominated production; Australia had already taken similar steps against Chinese investors in 2024. » More on manager-magazin.de