Victory Metals has partnered with Curtin University and the Australian Government to accelerate development of the North Stanmore Heavy Rare Earth Project, positioning Australia as a key player in critical minerals supply.
- Strategic partnership formed between Victory Metals, Curtin University, and government initiative
- Focus on advancing North Stanmore, Australia’s largest clay-hosted heavy rare earth resource
- Curtin to provide expertise in metallurgy, water management, and recycling
- Co-development of a pilot plant at Victory’s Burswood facility
- Project supports clean energy, electric vehicles, defence, and advanced electronics sectors
A Strategic Alliance for Critical Minerals
Victory Metals Limited (ASX – VTM) has announced a significant strategic partnership with Curtin University and the Australian Government-backed Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer initiative. This collaboration aims to fast-track the development of the North Stanmore Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) project, located near Cue in Western Australia. The project is notable for hosting Australia’s largest clay-hosted heavy rare earth resource, a critical component in the global push towards clean energy and advanced technology.
Leveraging Expertise to Drive Commercialisation
Curtin University will bring its world-class expertise in water management, recycling, metallurgy, and sustainable resource technologies to the table. By working closely with Victory Metals’ technical team, Curtin aims to optimise processing systems and support the studies necessary to move the North Stanmore project towards commercial production. This partnership also includes the co-development of a pilot plant at Victory’s Burswood facility, a crucial step in demonstrating the project’s viability at scale.
National Significance and Industry Impact
The collaboration is part of a broader government initiative to strengthen Australia’s critical minerals supply chain, which is vital for sectors such as electric vehicles, wind turbines, defence technologies, and medical applications. WA Mines and Petroleum Minister David Michael highlighted the importance of such partnerships in positioning Western Australia and the nation as leaders in rare earth production and processing.
A Resource with Global Potential
Victory Metals’ North Stanmore project boasts a robust Mineral Resource Estimate of over 320 million tonnes, with a significant portion classified as indicated resources. This scale and classification underscore the project’s potential to become a cornerstone supplier of heavy rare earth elements, scandium, hafnium, and gallium; metals essential for emerging technologies and strategic defence applications.
Looking Ahead
While the partnership signals strong technical momentum and government support, the path to commercial production will require navigating market volatility, regulatory landscapes, and operational challenges. Nonetheless, the alliance between Victory Metals, Curtin University, and the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer initiative marks a decisive step in Australia’s ambition to secure and lead in the critical minerals sector.
Bottom Line?
Victory Metals’ collaboration with Curtin University sets the stage for Australia’s heavy rare earth ambitions, but the journey to commercial success is just beginning.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the projected timelines and capital requirements for the pilot plant and commercial production?
- How will global rare earth market dynamics and pricing impact the project’s viability?
- What specific innovations in metallurgy and recycling will Curtin contribute to enhance sustainability?