Harness sustainable downstream opportunities

With the wealth of the Territory’s mineral resources, there is opportunity to break the current primary mining pattern to encourage greater levels of product value-add within the Northern Territory
Section 3 analyses the beneficiation and downstream value-add opportunities for a select range of critical minerals – lithium, manganese, rare earth elements, phosphate, vanadium and high-purity silica. Time and resourcing constraints meant six minerals were prioritised for detailed analysis, however, the taskforce is of the view that other minerals could hold similar potential.

The Territory could have the ability to be a direct supplier of input into plant and equipment manufacturing beyond emissions reduction technologies, and has the potential to not just deliver a step change to the Territory’s economic fundamentals but also diversify and expand manufacturing capabilities with flow on positive repercussions for jobs and regional prosperity.

Acknowledging the reality of the Territory’s context, the analyses involved a detailed ecosystem map of the value chain for each of the six minerals, including identification of the stage at which downstream manufacturing opportunities have the potential to present the optimal economic outcomes for investors and the Territory. This work drew from the previous mine to market value chain analysis undertaken by independent consultant CRU Consulting for the Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet. The CRU analysis provided valuable context and background for five of the six commodities identified by the taskforce for analysis, the exception being high-purity silica.

The next-level analysis was a high level review of the identified optimal value chain opportunity for each commodity to establish common inputs and enablers for more focussed government attention and action. The key enablers, of themselves, could present new market opportunities.

The results of this high level mapping exercise suggest that downstream chemical processing or intermediate processing could be economically viable based on predicted medium-to long-term product prices. While production costs in the Territory are generally at the higher end of the scale, there are broader strategic, economic, social, supply chain security and national interest considerations that could justify a case for government intervention to support downstream value-add initiatives.

What does success look like

Section3

Download the Final Report

Download the Executive Summary PDF (2.2 MB) including consolidated recommendations and possible specific actions.

Download the full version of the Mineral Development Taskforce Final Report PDF (10.4 MB) including recommendations and possible specific actions.


What are we doing to
harness sustainable downstream opportunities
Identification of downstream opportunities
Ecosystem mapping of key commodities
Determining shared challenges and opportunities

Mining in the Territory

International goods and service exports comprises 24% of the Territory's GSP 1

Mining and petroleum comprises 24.1% of the Territory's GSP 2

In the financial years 2021-2023 economic growth is expected to average 2.7% 2

The Territory's major exports are liquefied natural gas, live animals, and mineral ores and concentrates 3

1, 3, 4, 5 Information sourced from nteconomy.nt.gov.au/international-trade

2 Information sourced from nteconomy.nt.gov.au/outlook