Donald Mineral Sands Project
The Donald Mineral Sands Project is located about 300 km north-west of Melbourne in Victoria’s Wimmera region, with the boundary approximately 15 kilometres east of Minyip.
The total Donald deposit contains approximately 2.4 billion tonnes of ore, hosting commercial quantities of zircon, titanium and associated rare earth elements.
Background
Donald Mineral Sands Pty Ltd was granted a mining licence (MIN5532) in August 2010 for a mineral sands mining and processing operation. In July 2024, this licence was transferred to The Donald Project Pty Ltd (parent company Astron Corporation Ltd). The licence permits the company to develop up to 2,784 hectares over a 20-year period.
The decision to grant the mining licence followed favourable assessment by the Victorian Minister for Planning of the company’s Environment Effects Statement (EES) and the Federal Government granting approval under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC).
Between 2010 and 2023, the company undertook the further detailed work required before mining activities could commence. Such work included finalising a cultural heritage management plan and establishing a community reference group.
In mid-2023, the company submitted its work plan to Resources Victoria for assessment.
Current status
In June 2025, Resources Victoria’s Earth Resources Regulator approved the work plan for the project, paving the way for the commencement of construction activities to prepare for mining.
In approving the plan, the regulator conducted a thorough assessment of the company’s intended approach to the work. This included ensuring any risks to the environment or the public were minimised and all conditions resulting from the EES process were met.
Under the approved work plan, the company will mine and process 7.5 million tonnes of mineral sands annually over 19 years. The site will operate 24 hours every day of the year. Mine products will be transported via road to the Port of Portland for export overseas.
The excavation method involves open-pit mining, which will be progressively rehabilitated to re-establish the former agricultural land use with some additional native vegetation areas. Progressive rehabilitation means only 700 hectares of land will be disturbed at any time during mining.
A rehabilitation bond will need to be lodged, with the bond amount to be determined by the regulator before construction commences.
The Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Act 1990 also requires the company to regularly consult with the community throughout the life of the project.
Future of existing retention licence
In October 2014, Donald Mineral Sands Pty Ltd was granted a retention licence (RL2002). This licence was transferred to The Donald Project Pty Ltd in July 2024.
The retention licence has allowed the continuation of geoscientific and technical work to evaluate the commercial viability of the remainder of the Donald deposit. It does not allow mining activities.
If the company wanted to progress the site to mining, it would need to apply for a mining licence over the retention licence area. This would be treated as a new mining licence, requiring planning, environmental, heritage and regulatory approvals, as well as community consultation.
EES assessment
In September 2005, the Minister for Planning determined an Environment Effects Statement (EES) was required for the proposed Donald Mineral Sands Project under the Environment Effects Act 1978.
An EES is an assessment of the potential impacts on the environment of a proposed project or development. Learn more about the EES process at the Department of Transport and Planning website.
The company’s full EES, including detailed technical reports, is available on The Donald Project website.
Following public exhibition of this EES, public hearings and a report from the independent Donald Mineral Sands Inquiry and Advisory Committee, in November 2008 the Minister for Planning reported that the EES had received a favourable assessment subject to conditions.
Page last updated: 25 Jun 2025