Northern Territory Rare Earth Project Set to Deliver 1,000 Jobs

The Nolans Rare Earths Project is expected to generate around 600 jobs during the construction phase and 350 ongoing, permanent jobs once operations commence.

Samples of rare earth compounds during a visit of the facility of Australian mining firm Lynas in eastern Malaysia's Gebeng, on April 8, 2026. Arif Kartono/AFP via Getty Images

Arafura Rare Earths has moved ahead with development of its Nolans Rare Earths Project in the Northern Territory, which it says will become Australia’s first fully integrated rare earth operation processing material from ore through to oxide production.

In an announcement to the ASX on May 21, the company said its board had reached a Final Investment Decision (FID), allowing the project to move into its next phase after years of financing work, supply agreements and partnership discussions.