The New South Wales government has approved Aeris Resources’ Constellation project, which will secure the state as a leading destination for critical minerals investment.
The Constellation project is a copper mine located near existing operations at the Tritton copper mine in western New South Wales.
The mine will provide a new source of high‑quality copper ore, supporting the long‑term sustainability of the Tritton copper operations.
The Constellation project includes the development of an open-cut pit and underground mine, with an expected average production of 500,000 tones of copper per year.
The approval of the project is part of the state government’s commitment to growing and supporting the critical minerals and high-tech metals mining sector in New South Wales.
Copper is one of the state’s five priority metals as part of the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy to highlight its vital function in the global shift to net zero technologies.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said: “This is approval is another step forward for NSW’s clean energy transition and expands the state’s role in global critical minerals supply chains.
“Once operational, the mine will become a crucial cog in the renewable energy supply chain, providing copper for the creation of solar panels and electric vehicles, among other products.”
Construction of the mine is expected to start soon, with operations set to commence before the end of 2026.
Over its anticipated 16-year life, the mine is forecast to contribute around AU$42 million in royalties to the state.
Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said the mine will take advantage of the rising global demand for copper, which is a critical component in renewable technologies.
“Global demand for copper is rising rapidly, with prices climbing more than 20 per cent this year and our state can step up and meet this demand,” Houssos said.
“Copper will play a critical role in the global renewable energy transition.
“In 2024, around 30 per cent of copper demand was for new energy technologies and electrification, and by 2030 this could be around 35 per cent.”
