Astron Limited has secured Commonwealth Government approval to export rare earth element concentrate from the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project in Victoria to the United States.

The export permit allows the shipment of project material that is classified as a controlled ore under the Customs Prohibited Exports Regulations. These export permits require renewal on a biennial basis.

The Donald Project is advanced through an incorporated joint venture between Astron Limited and Energy Fuels Inc., where Energy Fuels holds the right to purchase 100% of the project's rare earth element concentrate. Under the supply arrangement, the concentrate will be shipped to Energy Fuels' White Mesa Mill in Utah for processing into rare earth oxides.

The rare earth element concentrate is notable for its high valuable heavy rare earth content, containing 2.7% dysprosium oxide and 0.4% terbium oxide as a percentage of total rare earth oxides. Energy Fuels recently confirmed that the heavy rare earth oxides produced at its Utah facility are approved for commercial permanent magnet production without requiring further qualification or validation.

Alongside the export approval, the project joint venture partners are advancing discussions with potential financiers, including Export Finance Australia, regarding a senior debt facility for Phase 1 of the Donald Project.

The joint venture partners are targeting a Final Investment Decision for Phase 1 of the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project in the third quarter of 2026. This timeline represents a shift from the March 2026 Bankable Feasibility Study, which had pointed toward a Final Investment Decision in the second quarter of the year.

Read the full announcement: Donald Project secures REEC Export Licence