Chief Minister
Media Release $1.6 billion Nolans Project declared NT's first Significant Project
1 June 2026
The nation-building Arafura Rare Earths Nolans Project has been declared the first Significant Project under the Territory Coordinator Act, supporting the coordinated delivery of the $1.6 billion development.
Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the project highlighted the critical role the Northern Territory is playing in supporting Australia's economy and national security.
"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.
"It will produce the critical minerals needed for advanced manufacturing, defence technologies and the industries that will drive economic growth in the decades ahead.
"As the largest mining investment in Territory history, Nolans will create jobs, support local businesses and attract investment, while helping Australia and its allies secure reliable supplies of critical minerals.
"At a time of growing strategic competition, projects like Nolans show why the Northern Territory matters. We have the resources, the strategic location and the industrial potential to help meet some of Australia's biggest national challenges.
"This project is another example of the Northern Territory delivering for the nation."
The Territory Coordinator framework ensures proponents have a clear pathway through government while preserving the oversight and accountability Territorians expect.
Territory Coordinator Stuart Knowles said: "This project is the absolute definition of profound economic significance.
"Nolans is an incredibly complex, world-class undertaking. By integrating mining, multi-stage chemical processing, and rare earth separation on a single site, it represents the exact kind of high-impact project the Act was built to facilitate.
"As Australia's first fully integrated ore-to-oxide rare earths facility, this project requires high-level, cross-government coordination to move at pace.
"This designation ensures government and industry work in lockstep to deliver generational benefits straight to local businesses in Alice Springs and right across the Territory."
Arafura Managing Director Darryl Cuzzubbo welcomed the Significant Project designation, saying it showed the Finocchiaro CLP Government understood the vital importance of the Nolans mine in global terms.
"Over the next ten years or so, demand for rare earths for advanced electronics, robotics and electric vehicles will at least double - and currently 90% of the world's supply comes from China." Mr Cuzzubbo said.
"The reality is that it takes up to 18 years to reach commercial production. At Arafura, we are construction ready thanks to the vision and focus of the CLP Government. We can produce 4,500 tonnes in phase one and 10,000 tonnes in phase two - enough for about 10 million electric vehicles.
"Importantly, because our operation will go from ore to oxide, we can by-pass the China supply chain and put the Territory and Australia in a world-leading position to supply rare earths to the US, Europe and Asia."
The Arafura Nolans Project is the first ever project to be designated a Significant Project under the Territory Coordinator Act 2025. The Northern Marine Complex at East Arm has previously been declared a Territory Development Area under a different provision of the Act.
Located 135km north of Alice Springs, the integrated and open-cut mine and rare earths processing plant will be the first project of its kind built in Australia.
Rare earths are critical minerals essential to modern technologies including electrification, robotics and advanced electronics.
Construction is expected to commence in September 2026.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Mining and Energy Gerard Maley said the Nolans Project will create hundreds of jobs, drive long-term economic growth for the Territory.
"The Finocchiaro CLP Government is backing projects that grow our economy, create local jobs and unlock the Territory's enormous resource potential, and today's announcement is another strong sign the Territory is open for business."
Arafura Rare Earths announced its Final Investment Decision (FID) on the Nolans project last week. It will produce high purity rare earth oxide products used in the production of permanent magnets, with offtake agreements already in place with the US, Europe and South Korea.
The Chief Minister said the Significant Project declaration recognised the importance of Nolans to both the Northern Territory and Australia.
"This designation ensures the Territory can take a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to support delivery of this nationally significant project," she said.
"It gives the Territory Coordinator the ability to work across government agencies to help resolve issues, reduce unnecessary delays and keep this project moving."
Projects can be declared Significant Projects where they are of major economic importance to the Territory or are complex projects with significant regional benefits.
The Territory Coordinator will consider projects that demonstrate a strong strategic, economic or community benefit and a clear need for coordination under the Act.
