Deputy Chief Minister
Minister for Mining and Energy
Media Release Minerals are critical to rebuilding the NT's economy
6 March 2025
The Finocchiaro CLP Government continues to back the Territory's critical minerals sector, with the newly released 2025 update of the Critical Minerals in the Northern Territory Guide highlighting new opportunities for exploration and investment.
The 2025 edition outlines the Northern Territory's list of 17 critical minerals with identified reserves, with emerging geological potential for another 13.
It provides investment insights and exploration information for both existing and developing mining projects, supporting the Territory's role in the global supply chain for new and emerging technologies.
Minister for Mining and Energy Gerard Maley said the guide highlighted the Territory's growing importance in supplying the strategic minerals essential to geopolitically sensitive industries such as defence, medicine, and energy.
"We are focused on rebuilding the Territory economy and the critical minerals industry has a significant role to play as we work towards a low emissions future, as well as creating jobs for Territorians, and delivering economic opportunities for local businesses," he said.
"The Territory has the critical minerals needed to power the future.
"Our government's ongoing $9.5 million per annum Resourcing the Territory program provides exploration grants and free of-charge, precompetitive geoscience data to stimulate, support and de-risk exploration investment.
"Advancing critical minerals is one of the key eligibility categories for the Territory's highly competitive Geophysics and Drilling Collaborations program, which is currently accepting applications to co-fund mineral exploration."
As well as being a global leader in manganese production, the Territory has significant and growing project potential for commodities such as rare earths, graphite, phosphate and copper, and has built an impressive pipeline of emerging critical mineral opportunities.
Additionally, the Territory is investigating downstream mineral processing and manufacturing opportunities to value add to our world-class mineral resource endowment and provide local jobs
"We are committed to ensuring the Territory remains a leading jurisdiction for critical minerals exploration and development, and this guide demonstrates the wealth of opportunities available," said Mr Maley.
