- Published:
- Friday 28 November 2025 at 1:16 pm
The Allan Labor Government is creating new jobs and growing Victoria’s critical minerals sector – delivering the materials needed to create renewable energy, advanced technologies and medical equipment.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio today announced the approval of a work plan for VHM Limited’s Goschen Rare Earths and Mineral Sands Project.
The Goschen Project is one of Victoria’s most significant mineral sands and rare earths projects with proven deposits of zircon, rutile, leucoxene, ilmenite and monazite.
The work plan addresses recommendations from the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process and means that for the life of the project, VMH must monitor air quality, publish real-time dust level data online, provide quarterly updates on their response to community feedback and rehabilitate the site.
It also ensures activities are consistent with VHM’s legal obligations and conditions imposed by Resources Victoria.
Victoria has world-class mineral sand deposits containing demonstrated resources of titanium, zirconium and rare earth elements. Developing these is crucial to energy transition as it helps provide the materials needed for solar panels, wind turbines and batteries.
The Labor Government’s 2024 Critical Minerals Roadmap sets out a plan to unlock the state’s critical minerals potential. It coincides with a large increase in development activity, particularly in north-west Victoria, which could support up to 7,000 additional jobs in the coming decades.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio
“This approval is helping ensure that Victoria’s critical minerals can meet the demand created by the renewable energy transition and provide a massive boost to the economy in the Mallee and beyond.”
“Critical minerals development in the Wimmera and Mallee could support up to 7,000 new jobs in the coming decades, and we are backing local communities with these well-paying jobs.”
Quote attributable to Member for Northern Victorian Jaclyn Symes
“We are making sure critical minerals are developed in a responsible way so that local communities benefit from new mining projects now and into the future.”