The Australian government has recognized the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands project in western Victoria as a major project due to its national importance.

The Donald project, a joint venture between Australian rare earths developer Astron and the US-based developer Energy Fuels, will become the world's fourth-largest rare earth mine outside China once operational. The mine, near Minyip, will supply rare earth minerals crucial for electric vehicles and wind turbines, and around 7,000 tons of materials will be delivered to Energy Fuels' Utah facility per year. Astron plans to begin site works in 2026.

This status provides a federal contact point to simplify and accelerate complex federal approvals, such as environmental and biosecurity processes. The project is expected to create significant employment and reinforce Australia's role in the global supply chain for critical minerals.