Mineral exploration booms as Territory’s critical minerals taken to the world

20 March 2023

The Northern Territory is working to become a major player when it comes to the global supply chains for the critical minerals required for new technologies and the energy transition. 

New data shows mineral exploration expenditure in the Northern Territory shot up by almost thirty percent in the 2022 calendar year.

For the 2022 calendar year mineral exploration expenditure was $198.6 million – up from $153.4 million in 2021. 

Almost half of the exploration expenditure was for minerals such as lithium, rare earths and other critical minerals at $82.7 million.

And the Northern Territory finished the year off strongly. 

For the December 2022 quarter, mineral exploration expenditure in the Northern Territory was $56 million – up 25% on the same quarter in 2021.

The statistics coincide with the release of the Critical Minerals in the Northern Territory guide.

The document highlights the critical minerals we have in the Territory, assisting international investors wanting to explore here.

It was released in Canada earlier this month, at the world’s largest mining investment conference in Toronto.

The guide outlines the Territory’s current list of 15 critical minerals, as well as geological potential for a further 13 emerging critical minerals.

Critical minerals are used to manufacture advanced technologies, such as mobile phones, computers, fibre-optic cables, semi-conductors, banknotes, and in defence, aerospace and medical applications.

But the most rapid increase in demand is driven by their use in low-emission technologies, such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, solar panels and rechargeable batteries.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Mining and Industry, Nicole Manison: 

“The Territory is underexplored for critical minerals and the demand for these minerals is expected to soar to support renewable energy, battery storage and high-tech industries.

This presents huge economic and strategic opportunities for the Northern Territory to become a leading and reliable supplier of minerals to support the global energy transition.

The $82.7 million spent on exploration for critical minerals such as lithium and rare earths was a record, 74% higher than the record previously set in 2011.

Through the Resourcing the Territory program, the Territory Labor Government is backing in an industry that not only provides a greener future, but employs thousands of Territorians.”

Northern Territory Government