MEDIA RELEASE: RZ RESOURCES RECEIVES APPROVAL FOR THE COPI CRITICAL MINERALS PROJECT
May 27, 2026
RZ RESOURCES RECEIVES APPROVAL FOR THE COPI CRITICAL MINERALS PROJECT
RZ Resources has received approval for the Copi Critical Minerals Project from the NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, clearing a pathway to first production in early 2029.
The Copi Critical Minerals Project is one of the world’s largest critical minerals deposits, and positions RZ Resources to become a globally significant critical minerals producer.
Located 75 kilometers northwest of Wentworth in far southwestern New South Wales, the mine will produce titanium minerals including rutile, leucoxene and ilmenite, premium zircon, and rare earth elements including monazite and xenotime. RZ Resources has received investment and support for the project from JX Advanced Metals Corporation and Marubeni Corporation.
The project’s strategic importance has been formally recognised and received support from the US, Japanese, Indian and Australian Governments including through:
- Announcements of US Export–Import Bank (EXIM) financing at the 2025 Quad Leaders’ Summit as being of global significance to supply chains serving Australia, the United States, Japan and India.
- Funding as part of the US–Australia Critical Minerals Framework from EXIM and the Export Finance Agency as one of seven projects during the 2025 US–Australia State Visit, with an indicative term sheet from EXIM for up to US$550 million.
- Participation in the Joint Statement on Elevated Critical Minerals Cooperation by the Australian and Japanese Governments in May 2026.
RZ Resources Founder and Executive Chairman David Fraser said the NSW development approval is a significant step forward in securing first production.
“Receiving NSW development approval for the Copi Project is a defining moment for RZ Resources, for the Wentworth community, and for Australia’s critical minerals sector. It marks a major milestone on our pathway towards first production in early 2029 and reflects the confidence of the NSW Government that Copi can be developed responsibly, sustainably and to the long-term benefit of the region.
“Copi is a globally significant critical minerals opportunity that will help Australia and its allies secure supply chains for the materials that underpin energy, manufacturing and defence.
“I want to thank the Wentworth region community, the Traditional Custodians of this land, and the NSW Government, particularly Minister Paul Scully, Minister Courtney Houssos and their Departments. This approval demonstrates the commitment and vision the Government has for turning NSW into a critical minerals centre, and that these outcomes are only possible through collaboration towards this common objective.
“We are committed to delivering this nationally significant project in a way that this region and this country can be proud of.”
The project will create up to 480 direct jobs during construction, transitioning to a 240-strong operational workforce. During operations, it is expected to contribute up to $97 million annually in economic benefit to the local region through wages, procurement, and business expenditure, providing a sustained economic boost in the Wentworth Shire and Sunraysia region economy.
The NSW development approval follows a public exhibition period, technical review by government agencies, and the preparation of a comprehensive Response to Submissions. It is a critical prerequisite to final construction approvals, project financing, and a Final Investment Decision.
RZ Resources also owns the Mineral Separation Plant (MSP) on the Brisbane River, the only major mineral processing facility of its kind on Australia’s east coast. The MSP, which is being refurbished and upgraded, is targeted for commissioning in 2027 and is expected to process third party feedstock ahead of the Copi mine coming online. The MSP will enable the direct export of value-added mineral products without offshore processing, strengthening Australia’s sovereign capability in the critical minerals supply chain.
About RZ Resources
RZ Resources is an Australian-owned mining and processing company focused on critical minerals and rare earth elements. Founded in 2012, RZ Resources is developing the Copi Critical Minerals Project in the Murray Basin, NSW, and the Mineral Separation Plant in Brisbane, Queensland, the only major processing facility of its kind on Australia’s east coast.
About the Copi Critical Minerals Project
Located on RZ Resources-owned land in far southwestern NSW, 75 km northwest of Wentworth, the Copi mine sits upon one of the largest critical minerals deposits in the world with an expected mine life of up to 60 years.
Together with RZ’s Brisbane Mineral Separation Plant, the Copi Critical Minerals Project will produce rare earth concentrates, titanium feedstocks and premium zircon ready for downstream refining and processing.
During operations, the project will support a 240-strong workforce and is expected to contribute up to $97 million in annual local economic benefit, while aligning with Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy 2023–2030 and the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy.
Contacts
Please direct all enquiries to:
Ryan Marnell
rmarnell@phronesis.consulting
+61 434 616 894