Strategic partnership to further establish Australia as a rare earth leader

Curtin University and Victory Metals have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of a major rare earth project, which will help supply Australia with the materials needed for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, advanced electronics and more.

Under the partnership, Victory will collaborate with the Australian Government-backed, Curtin-led Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer initiative to work on Victory’s North Stanmore Heavy Rare Earth Element (HREE) Project.

Based near Cue in Western Australia, the HREE project will be Australia’s biggest clay-hosted heavy rare earth resource.

The partnership will see Curtin contribute specialist staff with expertise in water management, recycling and recovery, metallurgy and more as the project advances toward commercial production.

They will work alongside Victory’s technical team, offering support with the studies required to advance the HREE project toward commercial production.

The parties will also co-develop a pilot plant.

Head of Curtin’s Western Australian School of Mines, John Curtin Distinguished Professor Mark Buntine, said the partnership reflected Curtin’s leadership in critical minerals and advanced processing.

“Curtin is a national leader in minerals processing, hydrometallurgy and sustainable resource technologies, with advanced facilities and a strong track record of translating research into industry outcomes,” Professor Buntine said.

“We are proud to lead the technical development of this nationally significant project, bringing together our world-class expertise with Victory Metals’ exceptional North Stanmore rare earth resource.

“By working closely with Victory’s technical team, we aim to optimise systems in place and help drive the project toward commercial production to strengthen Australia’s critical minerals supply chain.”

Victory Metals Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director Brendan Clark said the partnership combined an exceptional resource with world-class research.

“Victory, Curtin and the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer create an unbeatable industry-academia powerhouse,” Mr Clark said.

“This partnership delivers massive technical momentum, positions us to lead Australia’s heavy rare earth supply chain and puts sustainable production firmly within reach.”

WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael said the partnership would bring significant benefits.

“I am excited to see an innovative, ambitious company like Victory Metals teaming up with an Australia’s leading mining-focused tertiary institution, Curtin’s WA School of Mines, to accelerate the development of an important rare earths project in WA,” Mr Michael said.

“This is the type of partnership that will help the State and Australia position itself as a leader in the production and processing or rare earth elements which are so critical in industries such as wind turbines, electric vehicles and medical applications.”