The newest critical minerals and high-tech metals mine was officially opened on Wednesday 11 September 2024, in the regional NSW mining town of Cobar.
Aurelia Metals’ Federation mine, will support more than 140 skilled jobs and provide a $143 million investment boost to the Far West.
The mine will produce up to 600,000 tonnes each year, with a focus on high-grade zinc, gold, copper and lead.
Copper has a transformative role in new energy technologies and electrification as a highly efficient conduit and is used in renewable energy systems including solar, hydro, thermal and wind energy. Zinc is used in solar panel production, batteries and energy storage.
Gold is essential to circuitry components and wiring in many electronics, including for solar panels and electric vehicles, while lead has widespread in industrial applications including back-up power systems in data centres, is used in electrical systems in most electric and hybrid vehicles, and in use in radiography and nuclear medicine.
The opening of the Federation mine builds on the NSW Government’s commitment to critical minerals and high-tech metals mining in NSW. These minerals are important to the clean energy future and support valuable jobs in regional NSW.
Around 4,000 people are directly employed in critical minerals and high-tech metals mines across NSW.
Aurelia Metals is an Australian-listed mining and exploration company with its key production hub in the Cobar region of NSW.
