Donald Mineral Sands
Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project
Overview
About the project owner
Donald Project Pty Ltd, trading as Donald Mineral Sands (DMS), is developing the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project near Minyip in Victoria's Wimmera region, about 300 km north-west of Melbourne.
DMS is a joint venture between Astron Limited, an ASX-listed mineral sands company, and Energy Fuels Inc, a US-based critical minerals producer. The Donald deposit, discovered in the 1970s, is a globally significant critical minerals resource, which contains zirconium and titanium, alongside rare earth elements such as neodymium and praseodymium. These minerals are essential components of everyday products and advanced industries, from ceramics, paints and cosmetics to electric vehicles, wind turbines, medical devices, and aerospace components.
DMS will develop the deposit in two phases. Phase 1 is Mining Licence MIN5532, an area of 2,778 ha with a mine life of about 42 years. In June 2025, the Victorian Government approved a work plan covering 1,190 ha of MIN5532, representing 19 years of operations and a $470 million investment. In October 2025, the Australian Government granted Major Project Status, recognising the project's national significance.
The Donald Project will generate substantial long-term benefits for the Wimmera. Economic analysis indicates it will create around 536 full-time-equivalent jobs each year in the local region and add an average of $205 million in value annually.
Project timeframe
The Donald Project is pending a Final Investment Decision by the joint venture. Subject to a positive decision, construction will begin, followed by operations. We will release work packages progressively across the construction and operational phases.
Works available
DMS has sought and will continue seeking expressions of interest from suppliers and contractors across a broad range of work packages, including in the following categories:
- Civil and earthworks
- Buildings and facilities
- Electrical and power
- Communications and security
- Water, sewage, and waste
- Mechanical installation
- Roads and intersections
- Mining operations
- Mine dewatering
- Transport and logistics
- Land management
- Fencing
- Pest and weed control
- Catering
- Laundering and cleaning services
- Waste services
- Fuel supply
- Mechanical maintenance
- Recruitment and labour hire
- General site services
We encourage suppliers to register their interest against the categories that best match their capabilities.
Supplier criteria and requirements
Suppliers should hold the safety, quality, environmental, insurance, and licensing credentials appropriate to the work packages they are interested in. DMS will have specific prequalification requirements for individual work packages. We encourage Wimmera businesses to apply and will favourably consider capability and capacity that supports local and regional employment and supply chains.
Pre-qualification documents
To be considered, complete your ICN Gateway registration and submit an expression of interest against this project. Please ensure your company profile is complete and current, including:
- Your company capability statement
- Relevant certifications and insurances
- Examples of any previous comparable projects
- Key contact details
A thorough profile will help DMS assess your interest effectively. We will review each registration and may contact suppliers directly for further information, or to invite them into formal tender processes as we release work packages.
Thank you for your interest in supporting the Donald Project.
Questions for applicants
When you submit your expression of interest, please respond to the following:
- Which work package categories do you want us to consider you for?
- What relevant experience does your business have delivering comparable works?
- Where is your business located?
- What capacity do you have to support local and regional employment?
- What capacity do you have to support First Nations employment and/or procurement?
- What capacity do you currently have, and for what period?
- Do you hold all relevant certifications, licences, and insurances required for the works offered?
HOW TO REGISTER AN EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (EOI)
- To submit an EOI, companies must have an ICN Gateway company profile. Information on how to register your company on ICN Gateway is detailed below.
- The services, programmes and initiatives provided by ICN Victoria are aimed at complementing a company's existing Sales, Marketing and Business Development strategy and any EOI submitted should not be considered as an alternative to these activities.
ICN GATEWAY COMPANY REGISTRATION
- Click here to register your company profile on ICN Gateway.
- Support and assistance are available through the web links listed below.
- An ICN Gateway company profile that accurately and effectively summarises your company is critical to using the services of the ICN Group - please ensure that your company invests the time and energy required to represent your company in the most effective manner possible.
- Companies should ensure that the email notification functionality within their ICN Gateway company profile is activated to include an appropriate level of coverage to Information & Updates, Major Projects and Regional Opportunities.
