Federal government invests $180m in western Victoria rare earths mine
Astron and Energy Fuels joint venture backed despite farmers' concerns over prime farmland near Minyip
The federal government has conditionally invested $180 million in the Donald Rare Earth and Minerals Sands Project planned for western Victoria, backing a mine that local farmers say will destroy prime agricultural land. Two federal agencies, the National Reconstruction Fund Corporation and Export Finance Australia, have issued conditional approval for up to $110 million and $70 million respectively for the joint venture between locally registered Astron Corporation and United States uranium giant Energy Fuels, which has already contributed $183 million.