Arafura Rare Earths said on 9 October 2026 that it broke ground at its Nolans Project in the Northern Territory on 8 October. This is the start of construction. Nothing is being produced yet, and the company gave no date for first production.
What the company announced
Confirmed (company announcement to the Australian stock exchange). Arafura said its board approved development of Nolans in May 2026, and that early works since then include “early earthworks on site access in September in preparation for bulk earth works to begin in the December quarter” [1]. About 120 people attended. Managing Director Darryl Cuzzubbo said: “Over the next three years, hundreds of people will be involved in building a mine and processing plant in one of the most remote parts of Australia” [1].
Offtake and government backing
Nolans is planned to produce NdPr oxide, a compound of neodymium and praseodymium, rare earths used in strong magnets for electric motors [3]. The company’s planned average output is 4,440 tonnes a year, a figure carried over from a 2022 announcement [2].
These offtake figures (agreements to buy the output) are the company’s, from its 21 May 2026 announcement [2]: Hyundai and Kia 1,500 tonnes a year, Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy 520, Traxys Europe 300 and Traxys North America 500. A further “up to 500tpa” sits under a letter of support for the government’s Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, which Arafura calls “non-binding”. Counting it, the company says the total is “93% of Arafura’s binding offtake target” [2].
ABC reported that Resources Minister Madeleine King said the federal government had supported the project “to the tune of $1.2 billion”. ABC does not itemise that figure [3].
What this does not show
- Production. Neither announcement gives a first-production date.
- Agreed reserve support. The letter is non-binding and subject to due diligence and approvals [2].
- Closed funding. The May announcement said items, including financing, remained to be completed before construction. TSN did not check their status.
The Bottom Line
Construction at Nolans has started, according to the company. Production is a later step.
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Sources
- Arafura Rare Earths, ASX announcement “Nolans Groundbreaking Ceremony”, 9 October 2026 (copy hosted by Mining Hub). https://mininghub.com/asx-articles/14398619/ARU-2026-10-08-Nolans-Groundbreaking-Ceremony.pdf
- Arafura Rare Earths, ASX announcement on the Final Investment Decision for Nolans, 21 May 2026. https://announcements.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20260521/pdf/06zt53blvvwbfy.pdf
- ABC News, “Ground broken for Arafura Rare Earths mine in remote Central Australia”, 8 October 2026. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-08/arafura-nolans-rare-earths-mine-alice-springs-nt-ground-broken/107240942
Background: The Metal Backbone of AI: Essential Minerals Powering Growth in 2026
