Mining and manufacturing
Outlook
The mining industry’s output is expected to rebound in 2025-26 after a weaker year in 2024-25 caused by disruptions at INPEX and Groote Eylandt Mining Company (GEMCO), and with the Barossa project supporting the recommencement of gas production at Darwin LNG plant.
The mining industry accounted for 23.2% of GSP and manufacturing accounted for 1.7% in 2024-25. In real terms, the gross value-added activity of the mining industry decreased by 1.4% in 2024-25 while manufacturing increased by 2.3%. Mining employed 3,400 persons in 2024-25, accounting for 2.4% of total Territory employment. The manufacturing industry employed 3,300 persons, accounting for 2.3% of employment.
Mining output is dominated by LNG and metallic minerals. The industry contributes to the Territory economy through international trade, private investment and employment. The first shipment of Barossa gas from the Darwin LNG plant was in early 2026, with a ramp up to full production capacity expected over the year. Onshore gas development in the Beetaloo Sub-basin is also progressing with Tamboran and Beetaloo Energy reaching final investment decisions for pilot projects in late 2025, with first gas expected in late 2026.
The Middle East conflict has resulted in significantly higher energy prices globally, which will increase operational costs across the mining and manufacturing industries. However, over the medium term this could see a renewed focus on energy security in Australia and accelerate investment in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.
The Territory has critical mineral deposits, and produces manganese, aluminium (as bauxite), iron ore, zinc, lead, silver and titanium (as ilmenite). These resources are essential for new technologies, defence industries and the clean energy transition.
Minerals production
Most minerals produced in the Territory are metallic, including manganese, gold, zinc and lead, bauxite, ilmenite and iron (Map 1). The Territory also produces non-metallic minerals such as crushed rock, sand, quicklime and gravel.
The value of the Territory’s mineral output increased by 0.9% to $4.4 billion in 2024-25, driven by stronger bauxite, zinc and gold sales (Chart 5). This was partially offset by a significantly weaker manganese production as a result of disruptions to GEMCO mine following Cyclone Megan in March 2024. Mineral output is expected to rebound in 2025-26 driven by recovering manganese production at GEMCO and increased production of gold at Tennant Creek and Tanami combined with elevated gold prices.
Chart 5: Value of selected Territory minerals output sold
Source: Department of Mining and Energy
Manganese
Manganese is an input to steel manufacturing, with production largely driven by global steel demand. In the Territory, manganese is produced at the GEMCO mine, one of the largest manganese mines in the world.
Manganese accounted for only around 2% of the value of all mineral output sold by the Territory in 2024-25, largely due to disruptions caused by Cyclone Megan. In 2024-25, the value of manganese sold decreased to $93.9 million, with manganese production declining by 52.4% and quantities sold decreasing by 90.2%. Export shipments resumed in May 2025 following completion of the wharf reconstruction. Production is continuing to recover in 2025-26, and is anticipated to return to pre-cyclone levels of 5 million tonnes (Mt) per annum by 2026-27.
Gold
The Territory’s gold production is predominantly from the Granites mine in the Tanami region. The value of gold sold increased by 18.9% to $1.67 billion in 2024-25 and accounted for 38.3% of the total value of all minerals sold. This was mainly due to an increase in the price of gold, partly offset by a 13.4% decline in production and a 12.9% decline in quantities sold.
In 2025-26, gold production is expected to increase as operations at Tennant Mines ramp up. The value of gold output is also expected to increase, reflecting ongoing global uncertainty influencing the gold price. The Tanami expansion 2 project is expected to begin commercial production in 2026-27, adding further to gold production in the Territory.
Zinc and lead
Zinc and lead are produced at McArthur River mine, located 65 kilometres southwest of Borroloola. The value of zinc and lead sold grew by around 28.1% to $1.2 billion in 2024-25, with production growing 5.7% and quantity sold up by 13.1%. This reflects falls in zinc-only and lead-only concentrate production and sales, offset by increases in zinc-lead concentrate production and sales.
The overall value of output sold and volumes produced are anticipated to be steady over 2025-26 and 2026-27.
Bauxite
2 bauxite mines operate in the Territory on the Gove Peninsula. The value of bauxite sold in the Territory increased by 78.1% to $1.25 billion in 2024-25, reflecting a continuation of price growth in 2024-25 and increased sales from stockpiles. Production increased through 2024-25 at Rio Tinto’s Gove bauxite mine and Gulkula Mining Company’s Dhupuma Plateau mine.
Production is expected to be stable at 12.5 Mt in 2025-26 while prices are expected to ease and reduce the overall value of bauxite sold. Production at the Rio Tinto Gove operation is expected to cease in 2030.
Iron ore
The value of iron ore sold in the Territory was $57.6 million in 2024-25, a significant increase from $5.6 million the previous year. Iron ore production was mainly from Nathan River Resources’ Roper Bar mine and the Warrego tailings project in Tennant Creek. The Peko tailings project remained in care and maintenance.
Production of iron ore is expected to increase in 2025-26 with Peko tailings resuming production in January 2026.
Lithium
The Finniss mine opened in October 2022, operated by Core Lithium. Over 2023, the price of lithium fell steeply due to an oversupply in the market and weak growth in electric vehicle sales. As a result, operations at the Finniss mine were suspended in January 2024. There was no production in 2024-25 as Finniss mine remained in care and maintenance.
In March 2026, Core Lithium secured funding for the restart of the Finniss mine. Core Lithium is expected to commence mobilisation, early works and development activities to position Finniss mine to recommence first shipments in 2026-27.
Uranium
Uranium mining ceased in January 2021 when the Ranger mine closed, with all inventories sold by June 2022. Rehabilitation of the Ranger mine is currently underway with an estimated cost of $2.4 billion. Significant rehabilitation works are also underway at Rum Jungle.
More broadly, mine rehabilitation will continue to be a source of activity in the Territory as several mines are nearing the end of operations around 2030.
Other minerals
The value of non-metallic minerals sold decreased by 7% to $68 million in 2024-25. This was largely driven by falls in crushed rock and gravel, partly offset by increases in dimension stone and sand. Production levels and the value of sales of non-metallic mineral output is expected to be relatively stable in 2025-26 and 2026-27, with some upside in sand production as exploration activity increases in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.
Map 1: Current and pending mineral and onshore petroleum operations in the Territory1
1 This map is to be used as a guide only.
Source: Department of Mining and Energy; Department of Treasury and Finance
Oil and gas production
The Territory’s conventional onshore oil and gas is sourced from the Amadeus Sub-basin in Central Australia, with production from the Mereenie, Palm Valley and Dingo fields.
In 2024-25 onshore oil production increased by 19% to 125 thousand barrels of oil, and gas production increased by 3.6% to around 13.2 petajoules.
The Territory’s offshore gas is sourced from the Ichthys and Barossa fields. Gas produced from Ichthys and Barossa are processed at onshore facilities and exported to global markets. Gas was first extracted from the Barossa field in September 2025, with its first LNG cargo exported in January 2026. Production from Darwin LNG plant is expected to reach full capacity in 2026. No significant maintenance activities are anticipated in 2026.
Offshore gas from Blacktip was developed with the Power and Water Corporation providing the foundational contract. Some gas was also transported to Queensland through the Northern Gas Pipeline, before being sold on the east coast gas market. The Blacktip field faced significant production difficulties from 2021.
Beetaloo Sub-basin gas development, the largest onshore energy resource in the Territory, is progressing rapidly, with proponents Tamboran and Beetaloo Energy (formerly Empire Energy) now contracted to sell pilot gas to the Territory government ensuring domestic gas supply for electricity production. Beetaloo Sub-basin gas is expected to progressively replace Blacktip gas. In late 2025, Tamboran and Beetaloo Energy announced final investment decision on pilot projects, with construction of Tamboran’s Shenandoah South pilot project and Beetaloo Energy’s Carpentaria pilot projects underway.
In April 2025, the APA Group applied for a licence to construct 37 kilometres of pipeline from the Tamboran Resources processing facility in the Beetaloo Sub-basin to the Amadeus pipeline. Construction of the pipeline, known as the Sturt Plateau pipeline, commenced in November 2025 and is an estimated capital expenditure of $70 million.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is the process of capturing greenhouse gases and injecting it deep underground for storage. INPEX continues to progress CCS opportunities in the Bonaparte Sub-basin, with injection still targeted for commencement around 2030. INPEX has not yet made a final decision on the development of a third LNG train at Ichthys plant, which is also targeted around 2030. Santos is also working on front-end design to develop a CCS facility using the depleted Bayu-Undan field to store carbon dioxide, primarily from the Barossa gas development.
Map 2: Offshore petroleum activity near the Territory1
1 This map is to be used as a guide only.Source:
Department of Treasury and Finance
Exploration activity
Exploration activity is a precursor of future development. Total mineral exploration expenditure in the Territory declined by 35.4% to $113.7 million in 2025, from $176 million in 2024. This largely reflects decreased expenditure across ‘other’ minerals and gold (Chart 6).
Petroleum exploration in the Territory is focused on the Beetaloo Sub-basin and the Amadeus Sub-basin. Exploration activity was elevated in 2024 at $365.4 million, driven by major onshore exploration activities by Tamboran and Beetaloo Energy. Data for 2025 has been confidentialised and the ABS does not provide a breakdown of onshore and offshore exploration expenditure, however onshore activity largely reflects ongoing exploration in the Beetaloo Sub-basin, while any offshore exploration expenditure likely reflects INPEX’s drilling activities related to carbon capture in the Bonaparte Sub-basin, and Santos with work related to its CCS project.
In September 2025, Tamboran announced final investment decision for the Shenandoah South pilot project, which includes construction of the $140 million Sturt Plateau compression facility, which will be used to process gas for sale. Tamboran is targeting first commercial gas from the third quarter of 2026. Beetaloo Energy announced final investment decision on the Carpentaria pilot project in December 2025 with construction of processing facilities expected in the first half of 2026. Beetaloo Energy is expected to have first gas sales by the end of 2026.
Central Petroleum continues to produce gas for sale in the Territory gas market with wells in the Amadeus Sub-basin. Central Petroleum has intentions to drill a further 2 wells at Palm Valley field commencing mid-2026. As part of a $200 million program, Santos is scheduled to drill and test 2 to 3 new wells in the Beetaloo Sub-basin commencing in the third quarter of 2026. In March 2026, Inpex also entered into a farm-in agreement with Daly Waters Energy in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.
The Middle East conflict has triggered a global energy shock that will see higher operational costs for the energy-intensive mining and manufacturing sector. This is also likely to see greater focus on reliable sources of energy, such as the Beetaloo Sub-basin, and may accelerate investment in the region.
In February 2026, the Territory Government announced the release of 4,000 square kilometres of new acreage in the Beetaloo Sub-basin to support future exploration and mining activities in the Territory.
Chart 6: Value of mineral and petroleum exploration expenditure in the Territory1
1 Moving annual total
2 Data has been confidentialised from June 2025 onwards.
Source: ABS, Mineral and Petroleum Exploration, Australia
Manufacturing
Significant manufacturing activities in the Northern Territory include food product manufacturing, fabricated metal and non-metallic mineral manufacturing, reflecting the Territory’s strong links to its resources, construction, and primary industries base.
The designation in 2026 of the Northern Marine Complex at East Arm as a Territory Development Area is expected to strengthen the Territory’s manufacturing sector by enabling co-location of fabrication, engineering, and logistics services alongside critical maritime infrastructure including the Darwin ship lift facility. This will support the growth of local supply chains and create new opportunities in advanced and specialised manufacturing linked to defence, offshore energy, and marine industries.
Prioritising investment in East Arm-based infrastructure will enhance industrial capability, attract private investment and position the Territory as a competitive hub for high-value manufacturing.
The Middle Arm Precinct is also a strategic industrial location capable of being developed over time as market conditions and private investment mature. Work is progressing on completing the Strategic Environmental Assessment for Middle Arm to provide future certainty and expedite approvals for private investors.