8 October 2026
The first sod is being turned today for the largest mining investment in NT history, the $1.6bn Nolans Rare Earths Project near Alice Springs, as it moves into site construction.
Nolans is one of the most advanced rare earths projects in the world and will become the first integrated rare earths mine and processing facility of its kind in Australia.
The project is forecast to contribute $25.2 billion to the Territory economy over its 38-year life, positioning Alice Springs as the logistics, services and workforce hub for construction and decades of operations to follow.
Today's groundbreaking at the Nolans Rare Earths Project marks a historic moment for the NT's economic future and a major milestone in the development of the Territory's largest mining investment, according to Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro.
The Chief Minister, Mining and Energy Minister Gerard Maley, Treasurer Bill Yan and Aboriginal Affairs Minister and Barkly MLA Steve Edgington joined Minister for Northern Australia Madeleine King and Arafura Rare Earth's Managing Director and CEO Darryl Cuzzubbo to officially turn the first sod at the Nolans Project mine site, 135km north of Alice Springs.
Backed by a $1.6 billion investment decision, Nolans is one of the most advanced rare earths projects in the world and will become the first integrated rare earths mine and processing facility of its kind in Australia.
Nolans was declared the first Significant Project under the Territory Coordinator Act, which ensures designated projects have a clear pathway through government while preserving the oversight and accountability Territorians expect.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the project represented an opportunity to deliver quality jobs for Territorians at every level, from providing local employment and work for businesses to supporting defence and advanced manufacturing.
"Nolans is a nation-building project that will create good local jobs for decades to come, strengthen the Territory economy and cement the NT's place at the centre of Australia's critical minerals future," the Chief Minister said.
"Importantly, Nolans will help position Australia and our allies as a secure and reliable source of the rare earths needed for advanced manufacturing, defence technologies and the industries that will drive future economic growth.
"The designation of Nolans as a significant project under the Territory Coordinator Act ensures the Territory can take a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to support delivery of this nationally significant project by reducing unnecessary delays and keeping this project moving.
"Projects like Nolans show that the Territory has everything that Australia needs - we have the resources, the strategic location and the industrial potential to meet some of the nation's biggest challenges."
Nolans will become only the third fully integrated rare earths ore-to-oxide operation outside mainland China and is expected to produce around four per cent of global neodymium-praseodymium oxide demand outside China.
The project is forecast to contribute $25.2 billion to the Territory economy over its 38-year operational life, creating more than 600 construction jobs and around 350 ongoing operational roles while delivering real opportunities for Central Australian and Territory businesses.
Alice Springs is positioned as the logistics, services and workforce hub for construction and for decades of operations to follow, delivering a long-term opportunity well beyond the construction spike.
Minister for Mining and Energy Gerard Maley said the project demonstrated the Territory's ability to deliver world-class resource developments.
"Nolans is a game-changer for the Northern Territory and another example of how our Government is enabling major projects to move from potential to production," Minister Maley said.
"This project will establish the Territory as a key player in the global critical minerals supply chain while strengthening Australia's sovereign capability in rare earths production."
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Member for Barkly, Steve Edgington, said the development of Nolans was creating jobs, business opportunities and Aboriginal participation across Central Australia, anchored by Alice Springs as the project's regional logistics and workforce hub.
"It's creating hundreds of jobs, supporting local industry and generating long-term economic benefits across Central Australia, with Alice Springs set to play a pivotal role as the logistics, services and workforce hub," Minister Edgington said.
More than 70 work packages have already been advertised, and a 250-bed workforce accommodation site is targeted for completion by November 2026.
Arafura Rare Earth's Managing Director and CEO Darryl Cuzzubbo said the Nolans mine would be significant on a global scale.
"Getting a project like this started is one of the hardest parts - and together, we've done it. But today is a beginning, not the finish line," Mr Cuzzubbo said.
"Over the next three years, hundreds of people will build a mine and a processing plant here, in one of the most remote parts of the country. It will be built in the same way we've built our partnerships with Traditional Owners, lenders, customers and other stakeholders - with integrity and respect at the core. Nolans will be here for more than half a century.
"With partners across the world's largest manufacturing hubs in Korea, Europe, the US and India, the operation will be important on a global scale. The Northern Territory and Australia will become a trusted source of the high-value inputs that power the world's energy transition and advanced technologies."
The development also includes a strong commitment to Aboriginal participation and shared benefits through Arafura's Territory Benefit Plan, building on a Native Title Agreement that has been in place since 2020.
Territory businesses interested in supply opportunities can register through ICN NT, with further industry briefings scheduled in Alice Springs and Darwin in November.
