The Victorian Government says it is strengthening the state’s manufacturing capability by boosting critical minerals processing, announcing new grants aimed at establishing a local antimony processing industry and creating jobs in regional Victoria.
In a media release, the government said Victoria has Australia’s largest antimony deposits and the nation’s only operating antimony mine at Costerfield Mine.
Antimony mining in the state currently employs 278 people, and the government said that figure could double if the material were processed locally rather than sent elsewhere.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said she would soon call for proposals from industry, universities and researchers to explore the technical and commercial aspects of processing antimony and how best to establish a state-of-the-art facility in Victoria.
“Building an antimony processing industry here in Victoria means more secure, high-quality jobs for regional communities,” D’Ambrosio said.
The government has allocated $1 million under the Advancing Antimony Grants program to support proposals designed to help establish a Victorian antimony processing sector. The program will open for applications in April, with further information available via the state’s resources website.
Antimony is described by the government as a heat-resistant critical mineral used in flame-retardant materials, electronics, batteries and defence technologies.
It said antimony is mined underground, with a relatively small above-ground footprint, which it describes as an efficient extraction method that can help minimise waste.
The announcement follows the approval last year of exploration works at Southern Cross Gold’s Sunday Creek Project near Kilmore, which the government has identified as one of the state’s most significant gold and antimony deposits.
Research by the Geological Survey of Victoria suggests Central Victoria may hold larger antimony resources than previously believed.
The expansion forms part of the state’s Critical Minerals Roadmap, which the government says is intended to drive development of Victoria’s mineral resources and associated jobs, including in manufacturing.
“Victoria is ready to seize the opportunity of antimony processing, strengthening our local manufacturing industry and giving Victoria a strategic edge in global supply chains,” D’Ambrosio said.
Minister for Industry and Advanced Manufacturing Colin Brooks said processing antimony locally would keep more value within the state.
“Processing antimony in Victoria strengthens our local manufacturing and keeps more value onshore while creating new jobs, regional growth, and more downstream processing capability,” Brooks said.
