The NSW Government has approved the $693 million Copi Mineral Sands Project in the State’s Far South West in a move it says will be a major boost for Australia’s critical mineral supply chain and the energy transition
Located around 180km south-west of Broken Hill the project is expected to process up to 27 million tonnes of material and produce up to 400, 000 tonnes a year of critical mineral ore for 18 years.
The project will deliver titanium-bearing minerals including ilmenite, rutile, zircon and rare earth concentrates, such as monazite which the Government says are vital for clean energy technologies including electric vehicles and wind turbines, as well defence, telecommunications and medical device industries.
“This project will help secure the supply of critical minerals to help power the clean energy, telecommunications and medical device technologies while supporting hundreds of jobs in NSW’s Far West,” said Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully.
“Copi is a great example of the continued growth in NSW critical minerals sector, which is helping to create a sustainable future for NSW, Australia and the world.”
The Copi Mineral Sands project is expected to create 480 jobs during construction and 200 ongoing jobs, with around half of the project’s workforce is expected to come from surrounding communities.
The approval includes associated infrastructure for the project including upgrades to local roads for mine product transportation to the South Australian border and use of the existing rail facility in Broken Hill.
“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,” said Minister for Natural Resources, Courtney Houssos.
“Projects like Copi send a clear signal that NSW is a stable and attractive destination for critical minerals exploration and production.”
The project also requires Commonwealth Government approval under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.
It is the second critical minerals project to be approved by the NSW Government in four months, building on the approval of the Aeris Resources’ Constellation Project which will provide a new source of high‑quality copper ore.
Learn more about the Copi Sands project at the NSW Planning Portal, and the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy website.
