Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
We learned earlier in the week when the Prime Minister
Anthony Albanezi and the US President Donald Trump, when they met,
they signed this landmark agreement on Critical Minerals and rare Earths. Well,
it will see a pipeline of priority projects delivered with
financial commitments also announced by the Australian government. So US
one hundred million dollars in equity investment has been committed
(00:23):
to the Arafura Nolan's project in the NT. So what
does it mean for the sector? Well, joining us on
the line is Catherine Tilmouth, the executive director of the
Minerals Council of Australia's NT branch. Good morning to.
Speaker 2 (00:36):
You, Cat, Good morning Katie. How are you yeah?
Speaker 1 (00:39):
Really good? Great to have you on the show now,
kat How significant is the US one hundred million dollar
equity investment into the araf Youra Nolan's project.
Speaker 2 (00:50):
Look, it was a pretty amazing announcement that came out
of the US earlier this week. And to have a
project right here in the Northern Territory at the very
front of the line to get some of this funding
is a massive deal, you know. So we know that
Arafura has been you know, working really hard in the
background for quite a few years to get to the
(01:12):
point where they're going to be able to make for
the FID decision and then they're going to be able
to kick off with this sort of investment coming in.
You know. They even had Daryl Kazubo, who's the CEO
of the company, talk about plans for next year, which
will come after FID. So we're so close we could
(01:33):
to almost touch it for this sort of project to
get off the grounds, and it's going to be a huge, huge,
game changing project in the Northern Territory and especially down
near Alice Springs.
Speaker 1 (01:44):
So talk me through you know, what we can expect
once this project does get into underway, Like how many
people are we expecting to be employed? What, you know,
give us some context.
Speaker 2 (01:55):
Yeah, So, in the plans for this, because it is
such a huge project, they're doing not only the mind
but the processing facility, which is what Denouncement is really
focused on making sure that Australia has the capability to
process the minerals that we have rather than rely on
overseas processing and all of that's done in China. So
for our fire in particular, they're looking at about six
(02:17):
hundred jobs in the construction phase and then three hundred
and fifty ongoing jobs when it's in full operation. And
it's not only just the jobs that you get from
these sort of projects. What we know, especially in the
Northern Territory where our minds are out in very remote areas,
is you then get the investment that's going to go
into infrastructure, so you're upgrading roads you know there'll be
(02:39):
more capacity, and into airlines to make sure that people
are able to get in and out of these areas.
The rail lines, you've got more services that come in
to support these people working. So we did a study
very recently through the Minerals Council that found in the
Northern Territory in particular, one job in the mining history
(03:00):
actually equates to six others in the broader community. So
it actually helps the territory grow not just from that
person that has a job and a paycheck coming directly
from the mind, but also the broader community that supports.
You know, these people have to eat somewhere, but yet
they're washing done. They've got to do all the other
things and spend their paycheck. So it's a really really
(03:21):
big deal to have that many new jobs created in
the NT.
Speaker 1 (03:25):
It is. It would be a huge It be a
huge thing once it does get up and going. I
mean with the increased international attention and that investment, what
are the biggest challenges you know, that we're facing in
terms of getting it going and getting things moving.
Speaker 2 (03:43):
Look, I think our furor is pretty set, you know,
it's had a lot of focus from the federal government
and everyone wants to see it over the line. But
what we've got now is an opportunity for the rest
of the projects that are in the pipeline for the
Northern Territory. So we've proven we've got the capability capacity
we can do these sorts of things. We have seventeen
globally recognized critical minerals sitting in the Northern Territory. These
(04:06):
are the things that the rest of the world wants
and needs for all of their technology, you know, the
electric vehicles, of the solar panels, the mobile phones, everything.
We have them. So this is a great opportunity for
the Northern Territory to go. We are great, we can
do this. We do mining very well and make sure
that when they're considering the rest of the projects for
(04:28):
this funding stream that we stay at the front of
the line because we know that New South Wales, Western Australia, Seinsland,
they're all chomping at the bit to get their hands
on this funding stream so that they can get their
projects over the line as well. Like, it's a tough competition,
and we've got to prove that the NTY is where
the investment should be made.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
So then when you look more broadly in terms of
the Northern Territory, you know, playing our part in meeting
the global demand for rare earths and critical minerals, where
do you like, do you see us in a really
good position for the next decade.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Well, definitely, Look we've seen like if the geopolitical decisions
that have been made, China has really controlled and made
long like many years kind of programs and planned to
have control over the critical mineral space, so they can
dictate who, what we're and how much. And it means
that everyone else in the world needs to really see
(05:25):
what they can do in regards to shoring up their
supply chain. And so that's one of the main reasons
why the US and Australia has joined together so that
they are able to access, utilize, and invest in critical
minerals for all of this technology that's going to be built,
so that they have access to it and it's not
just dictated by another foreign company, sorry, foreign country like China.
(05:48):
So Australia having the things that the US needs and
vice versa. It's great to have that sort of really
strong relationship we already have with the United States and
to have them an ally in this processing.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
Well. Kat Tillmouth, the executive director of the Minerals Council
of Australia's NT branch. Great to speak with you this morning,
and hopefully as things progress we'll catch up with you
a bit more often.
Speaker 2 (06:13):
Absolutely love to bring you good news, Katie.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Well, we appreciate it, right and I think when we
look at this sector at this point in time, it
does seem as though we are going to you know,
potentially be front and center.
Speaker 2 (06:26):
Oh well with this and the b bloo. You know,
we are the place to be.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
What's happening. What's happening? Yeah, Kat, good to speak with
you this morning. Really appreciate it you too. Thank you.