Mineral Leases Granted for Avenira Phosphate Project

13 April 2023

The Northern Territory Government has awarded two mineral leases to Perth-based Avenira Ltd, giving exclusive rights to the Wonarah phosphate deposit in the Barkly region. 

The issue of the mineral leases will enable Avenira to extract a bulk sample for testing, and if successful, commence a Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) operation.

Avenira secured environmental approvals prior to these licences before being awarded.

A significant economic and strategic opportunity for the Northern Territory, as the projected demand for phosphate is set to grow as a significant component in lithium ferro phosphate (LFP) batteries, used in electric vehicles and stationary storage.

A future stage of the project will include a LFP battery cathode manufacturing facility, which will source phosphate from the Wonarah deposit for an integrated operation.

It’s estimated the LFP plant will initially create 100 jobs, growing up to 1000 jobs and generating more than US$4 billion in revenue annually once scaled to full production.

This week also sees the Darwin Critical Minerals Dialogue taking place which will bring together key leaders and stakeholders from Australia, Japan and the United States to discuss critical mineral production and supply-chain security.

Quotes attributed to Chief Minister Natasha Fyles:

“We are creating long term jobs across the entire Territory.

“The granting of these two mineral leases to Avenira will help to position the Territory as the next Australian home of advanced manufacturing, develop new skills and jobs, as well as support our objective to achieve a $40 billion economy by 2030.

“With the potential to create 1000 jobs this project will benefit Territorians from the Top End to the Barkly.”

Quotes attributed to the Minister for Mining and Industry, Nicole Manison:

“Growing a $40 billion economy by 2030 requires reaching for bold new economic opportunities and overcoming long standing challenges facing the Northern Territory.

“The Northern Territory has what it takes to be a thriving economy with world class mineral deposits, prospective gas reserves, a strong agriculture sector, emerging information technology capabilities and strategic advantages as a location for trade and defence.

“Avenira being awarded these two mineral licences means the project is getting off the ground, and will support jobs and development in our regions”

Quotes attributed to Avenira’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Brett Clark:

“We are pleased to receive the mineral leases supporting the Company’s proposed mining activities at Wonarah.  We can now proceed towards commencement of test pit activities as an interim stage to DSO production.

“Wonarah test pit will set up the logistic supply chains that will enable future DSO production and underpin the important role that Wonarah can play in the development of a downstream LFP battery cathode manufacturing facility in the Northern Territory. We would like to acknowledge the Northern Territory Government for their support.”

Northern Territory Government