Critical Minerals
High-grade, Australian mineral sands
The Fingerboards project will access a nationally significant deposit of rare earth elements and critical minerals that are vital to support new technologies in renewable energy, computing, defence and medical science.
Overview
The Fingerboard Project stands out globally for its high heavy rare earth quality and content.
Geoscience Victoria mapping demonstrates the Fingerboards deposit’s significance as a leading Australian critical minerals asset and it is listed on the Victorian Government’s Critical Minerals Roadmap. It represents a major opportunity to strengthen Australia’s position in global clean-energy, defence and advanced manufacturing supply chains.
Fingerboards produces a heavy mineral concentrate made of Zircon, the rare earth minerals Monazite and Xenotime as well as titanium minerals Rutile and Ilmenite.
The concentrate is notable for the high content of Xenotime, a heavy rare earths dominant mineral that is vital for securing an ex-China supply of the elements Dysprosium and Terbium.
Recent News
He noted that the first benefits of the Fingerboards Project would be realised locally, through job creation, investment in local businesses, and stronger environmental safeguards.
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98%
Of ore and overburden returned to pit, with mining in stages and continuous rehabilitation
Globally and locally significant deposits
Zircon
7.2%
Global supply
Light Rare Earths
1.4%
Global supply
Heavy Rare Earths
7.1%
Global supply
Source: Adamas Intelligence
Returning land to productive use
98%
Of ore and overburden returned to pit, with mining in stages and continuous rehabilitation
Rare earth elements
What's beneath the ground
Pr
Praseodymium
59
Praseodymium strengthens aircraft metals, colours specialised glass, and enhances magnet performance at high temperatures. Used in catalytic converters, ceramic glazes, and optical equipment, this versatile rare earth element plays a supporting yet essential role in advanced materials and clean energy technologies.
Nd
Neodymium
60
Neodymium creates the world’s strongest permanent magnets, critical for electric vehicles, wind power, and electronic devices. Its exceptional magnetic properties drive innovation in renewable energy technologies and modern electronics, making it one of today’s most strategically important rare earth elements.
Tb
Terbium
65
Terbium is used in small amounts within Neodymium-Iron-Boron (NdFeB) magnets to enhance thermal stability and magnetic strength under extreme conditions. These high-performance magnets are essential components in electric vehicles, wind turbines, consumer electronics, and defence technologies.
Dy
Dysprosium
66
Dysprosium prevents powerful magnets from demagnetising at high temperatures—critical for electric vehicles and wind turbines. Also used in nuclear reactor control rods and data storage, this scarce rare earth element is increasingly strategic as renewable energy adoption accelerates worldwide.
Our deposits
Technical, economic and strategic advantages
| Critical Mineral | % of global supply | Average Grain Size (μm) | Concentrate Grade (%) | Recovery Rate (%) | Estimated Life * |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zr
Zircon
|
7.2% | 50-70 | 65-66% ZrO₂ | 85-90% | 22 |
|
TiO₂
Rutile
|
4.6% | 60-100 | 94-96% TiO₂ | 75-85% | 22 |
|
FeTiO₃
Ilmenite
|
3.8% | 50-110 | 55-60% TiO₂ | 80-90% | 22 |
|
Pr
Praseodymium
|
1.4% | 40-90 | 55-60% REO | 70-80% | 22 |
|
Nd
Neodymium
|
1.4% | 40-90 | 55-60% REO | 70-80% | 22 |
|
Tb
Terbium
|
7.1% | 40-90 | 55-60% REO | 70-80% | 22 |
|
Dy
Dysprosium
|
7.1% | 40-90 | 55-60% REO | 70-80% | 22 |
* Estimated life of the mining operation has been extended to reduce noise, dust and truck traffic.
Based on measured and indicated resources. More detailed technical analysis will follow.