Boosting Victoria’s minerals processing potential

Two regional Victorian companies are set to receive funding to support early-stage development of antimony processing.

Two regional Victorian companies are set to receive funding to support early-stage development of antimony processing.

Southern Cross Gold and Gekko Systems will start to explore development options for processing antimony within the state with the aim to build the business case for future investment.

Antimony is a heat-resistant critical mineral in high demand worldwide, essential for flame retardant materials, electronics, batteries and defence technologies.

The $750,000 Advancing Antimony Grants program administered by Resources Victoria is focussed on kickstarting work to assess minerals processing and supply chain development.

Supply chain development has the potential to build on antimony production at the Costerfield Mine in central Victoria, as well as promising exploration results in the same area, to deliver a new wave of jobs and investment.

Victoria is estimated to hold the third largest antimony deposits in the western world. A recent review of gold and antimony occurrences by the Geological Survey of Victoria also identified very positive potential for further discoveries.

Funding Agreements with Southern Cross Gold and Gekko Systems are being finalised.