The Australian Government granted major project status to 2 new large-scale developments and renewed support for 2 existing initiatives.
The projects represent a bold step forward in Australia’s clean energy transition. All support innovation, job creation and sustainable industrial development across the country.
Diatreme Resources’ Northern Silica Project
Diatreme Resources’ Northern Silica Project is a high-purity silica sand mining development. It will supply essential materials for domestic manufacturing of solar panels, silicon wafers, and high-end electronics. These are key components in the global clean energy and tech supply chains.
The project will produce 3 to 5 million tonnes of silica sand annually over 25 years and support 120 construction jobs and 90 ongoing roles.
INPEX Browse E&P Australia’s Bonaparte Carbon Capture and Storage Project
The Bonaparte Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Project will be located 250 kms offshore, northwest of Darwin. It aims to support emissions reductions in hard-to-abate sectors such as metal and chemical refining, potentially enabling the development of low-carbon industries in the region.
The project will create 370 construction jobs and 40 ongoing positions.
The Australian Government renewed major project status for the following 2 projects, reinforcing the clean energy and critical minerals push.
Suncable Holdings’ Australia-Asia Power Link
This solar energy project is in the Northern Territory, approximately 800km south of Darwin. At full capacity it will generate 6GW of renewable electricity - as much as all wind and solar in the national electricity market in 2021. This clean electricity will support the decarbonisation and green industrial development in Darwin and Southeast Asia.
Over the first 20 years of the 70-year project, the project will inject more than $20 billion into the NT economy. During the construction phase, it will create more than 1,750 direct and indirect jobs, along with more than 350 ongoing direct jobs.
Cobalt Blue Holdings’ Broken Hill Cobalt Project
This project spans a cobalt mine in NSW and a refinery in WA. It will produce enough refined material to power batteries for around 375,000 electric vehicles per year. This helps position Australia as a key player in the global critical minerals and battery supply chain.