2025 project information posters
Click here to download posters which provide an overview of the project and updates following community consultation so far.
Download posters (.pdf)GEMCO is proposing to extend the life of its manganese mine on Groote Eylandt by developing the Southern Lease Mining Project (the project).
GEMCO is proposing to develop the project in the north-western part of the Southern Lease exploration licence. The project has been located to avoid the most sensitive environmental and cultural values of the Southern Lease.
GEMCO’s existing mining operations include the areas known as the Western and Eastern Leases. The project will involve the development of an additional mining area that will be integrated with the existing mining operations and will extend the mine life by around three years.
GEMCO plans to mine up to 15 million tonnes of manganese ore from the project area, using the same methods as the existing operations.
In 2023, GEMCO provided information about the project to the community and stakeholders, answered questions and listened to feedback. An information sheet details what GEMCO heard during engagement and the next steps.
For more information about the project and engagement outcomes, download this fact sheet.
Protecting culture and the environment
Protecting culture and the environment
GEMCO has undertaken extensive studies and planning since 2016 to ensure the project is developed in a socially, culturally and environmentally responsible way. It has also designed the project to avoid the most sensitive areas in the Southern Lease, including:
- sacred sites
- large perennial rivers and their floodplains
- significant wetlands
- monsoon vine thicket
- coastal areas and estuaries.
Mining activity and infrastructure
Mining activity and infrastructure
The project will use existing mine infrastructure and equipment from the Western Leases, so there will be limited new infrastructure required for the project.
GEMCO will use the same mining methods it uses now and will truck the manganese ore from the Southern Lease to the concentrator at the Western Leases.
The manganese will be washed at the existing concentrator and hauled by road trains along the Rowell Highway to the port so it can be shipped to countries around the world.
Some of the existing community tracks in and around the project area will be temporarily realigned for safety reasons during mining. These community tracks will be re-established after mining.
Access to all outstations, culturally sensitive areas, recreation areas and the coast will be maintained.
Environmental approvals process
Environmental approvals process
The project requires environmental approval from:
- the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) under the Environment Protection Act 2019 (NT)
- the Australian Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
GEMCO is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to support applications for these environmental approvals and is planning to submit the EIS to the NT EPA in late 2026.
Stakeholder Engagement
During the first phase of EIS consultation conducted in May and June 2023, GEMCO provided information about the project and the EIS process and sought stakeholder and community feedback.
GEMCO will continue engaging with stakeholders and the community throughout 2025 to provide information about project changes, gather additional feedback, and answer questions. Stakeholder and community feedback and concerns will be used to inform the EIS and Social Impact Assessment (SIA).
Social impact consultants will then finalise a consultation report and social impact assessment.
If you would like to discuss the project further, please call 1800 870 766, email [email protected] or visit GEMCO’s Angurugu office in the GEAT Building.
For more information about the EIS, please visit the NT EPA website (ntepa.nt.gov.au).
