The Victorian government is preparing to grow opportunities around antimony deposits with a new grant scheme
Victoria has Australia’s largest antimony deposits and the nation’s only operating mine at Costerfield.
Victoria minister for energy and resources Lily D’Ambrosio will soon call for proposals from industry, universities and researchers to explore the technical and commercial aspects of processing this mineral and how to best establish a state-of-the-art facility.
Antimony mining in Victoria currently employs 278 people. If materials were processed locally, the number of jobs would double, it says.
“Building an antimony processing industry here in Victoria means more secure, high‑quality jobs for regional communities,” D’Ambrosio says.
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“Victoria is ready to seize the opportunity of antimony processing, strengthening our local manufacturing industry and giving Victoria a strategic edge in global supply chains.”
The Advancing Antimony Grants offer a share of $1 million for proposals to get a Victorian antimony processing industry off the ground.
Antimony is a heat-resistant critical mineral in high demand worldwide. It’s essential for flame‑retardant materials, electronics, batteries and defence technologies.
Research by the Geological Survey of Victoria suggests Central Victoria has larger antimony resources than previously believed.
The Advancing Antimony Grants program will be open for applications in April, for more information visit resources.vic.gov.au.