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A revised strategy for Goschen

Victoria critical minerals

VHM will undertake a staged development approach as nears first production at its Goschen rare earths and mineral sands project in Victoria.

The revised approach will initially see the company construct facilities to process 1.5 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of rare earths and mineral sands, with the intention to ramp-up to the approved 5Mtpa target over a three-year period. First production at Goschen remains on track for 2026.

VHM said the staged development strategy significantly reduces upfront capital requirements, providing a cost-efficient pathway to production while maintaining its timeline.

The company continues to explore funding options which will inform an updated feasibility study.

In December, the Goschen project had its environment effects statement (EES) endorsed by the Victorian Government following a rigorous environmental and social assessment process.

This endorsement sets the stage for the submission of mining license approvals and work plans, with early engineering works underway to enable construction commencement in late 2025.

The Goschen project will involve the mining and processing of heavy mineral sands and rare earth minerals, utilising a shallow-pit truck–shovel block-mining design, a conventional gravity separation processing flowsheet, and a staged rehabilitation program.

The will support dual-revenue streams from a mixed zircon-titania heavy mineral concentrate and a rare earth concentrate consisting of neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium, which are key inputs for the clean-energy transition.

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