Northern Minerals Showcases Browns Range Heavy Rare Earth Project at Noosa Conference, Strengthening Supply Chain Alternatives to China

Wolverine Deposit Offers Strategic Heavy Rare Earth Supply Alternative to China

The Wolverine deposit positions Northern Minerals as a key player in securing Western supply chains for heavy rare earth elements, especially dysprosium and terbium. The company highlights Wolverine as one of Australia's richest deposits for these elements, uniquely poised to provide a reliable alternative to the current Chinese supply dominance. This addresses a critical vulnerability in Allied Nation supply chains that rely heavily on Chinese producers.

Dysprosium and terbium's importance extends beyond commodity markets into defense and clean energy technologies. These heavy rare earth elements are vital for manufacturing high-performance neodymium iron-boron magnets used in advanced defense systems, clean energy solutions, and high-tech applications. Their properties enhance magnet durability by increasing resistance to demagnetization, making them indispensable in modern manufacturing. Northern Minerals' development of Wolverine reflects global recognition of the strategic need for dependable sources outside China's control.

Definitive Feasibility Study Completion Advances Project Funding Discussions

Northern Minerals announced the completion of the Browns Range Heavy Rare Earth Definitive Feasibility Study, marking a pivotal step toward commercial realization. This milestone enables the company to engage actively with potential funding partners, supported by comprehensive technical and economic assessments validating the project's viability. The company is progressing funding discussions to facilitate construction of a commercial-scale operation.

The project involves a strategic partnership where Northern Minerals will mine and beneficiate ore from the Wolverine deposit for delivery to Iluka Resources' rare earth refinery under construction at Eneabba, Western Australia. This integrated model leverages Iluka's refinery infrastructure and expertise while allowing Northern Minerals to focus on mining and ore processing. Securing funding is the next critical milestone toward production, aiming to establish a commercial-scale supplier of heavy rare earth elements to global markets.

Strategic Role in Energy Transition and Defense Supply Chain Security

The recent presentation emphasized the growing strategic importance of dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium in supporting energy transition technologies, advanced manufacturing, and defense supply chains. This aligns with global trends where governments and industries prioritize securing reliable supplies of critical materials essential for clean energy transitions and advanced defense capabilities. Northern Minerals addresses a recognized policy priority among Allied Nations to reduce reliance on single-source suppliers for strategic materials.

Heavy rare earth elements targeted by Northern Minerals are integral to technologies driving global energy transition, including wind turbines, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems, all requiring high-performance magnets. Simultaneously, these materials are essential for advanced defense applications, underscoring their dual-use strategic significance. Northern Minerals’ commitment to becoming a secure long-term supplier reflects the national strategic interest in supply security beyond commodity considerations.

Multiple Deposits at Browns Range Project Extend Production Potential

Beyond the flagship Wolverine deposit, Northern Minerals’ 100% ownership of the Browns Range Heavy Rare Earth Project includes several additional deposits and prospects rich in dysprosium and other heavy rare earth elements hosted in xenotime mineralisation. These assets offer longer-term production potential and exploration upside, positioning Northern Minerals as a multi-deposit operator within a geologically favorable region of Western Australia.

The xenotime-hosted mineralisation indicates a coherent geological setting across Browns Range, suggesting potential for sustained production from multiple sources as development progresses. This multi-deposit structure provides operational flexibility and allows staged development, with initial production from Wolverine potentially supplemented by other deposits as market demand and capital availability increase. The broader project portfolio represents a substantial long-term asset base beyond Wolverine alone.

East Kimberley Location Supports Western Australian Integration

The Browns Range Heavy Rare Earth Project is situated in Western Australia's East Kimberley region, selected for its favorable geology and high-grade mineralisation. This location integrates the project within Western Australia's established mining sector, providing access to infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and industry expertise. The proximity to Iluka Resources' Eneabba refinery facilitates ore transport and processing within a single state jurisdiction.

This intrastate integration offers operational and logistical benefits, including streamlined regulatory oversight, established transport links, and the ability to leverage Western Australia's reputation as a reliable mineral supplier. The region's existing mining infrastructure and skilled workforce further support project development. Northern Minerals’ alignment with Western Australia's mining ecosystem enhances its competitive advantage through geographic clustering and established industry relationships.

Investor Hub Launch Enhances Transparency and Stakeholder Engagement

Northern Minerals recently launched a dedicated Investor Hub at https://invest.northernminerals.com.au/, offering shareholders and stakeholders centralized access to company information, Browns Range project updates, corporate announcements, presentations, and key investor materials. This platform reflects modern investor relations best practices by providing a transparent and accessible communication channel.

The Investor Hub demonstrates the company’s commitment to transparency and ongoing stakeholder engagement as the project advances toward funding and construction. Centralizing information reduces asymmetry between the company and investors, enabling timely access to technical updates, financial disclosures, and governance information. This initiative supports investor confidence amid progressing funding discussions and project development acceleration.

Strategic Focus on Dysprosium and Terbium Production Highlighted at Noosa Conference

At the Noosa Mining Investor Conference on 23 July 2026, Northern Minerals outlined its strategic ambition to become a leading producer of dysprosium and terbium outside China. The presentation emphasized the Browns Range Project’s rich heavy rare earth element deposits, positioning the company to fill a critical supply gap for materials vital to multiple sectors. This strategy aligns with Allied Nation efforts to diversify rare earth supply chains away from Chinese dominance.

The conference engagement signals Northern Minerals’ active approach to attracting institutional investors and market participants to support project funding. The Noosa Mining Investor Conference serves as a key platform for communicating strategic positioning and project progress to investors, mining operators, and industry specialists focused on mineral projects. The company’s participation underscores its momentum in project development and ongoing investor outreach.

Forward-Looking Statements and Feasibility Study Disclaimers

Northern Minerals’ presentation includes disclaimers regarding forward-looking statements and the Definitive Feasibility Study’s limitations. The company cautions that forward-looking statements rely on assumptions and contingencies subject to change without notice and involve risks beyond its control. While the DFS provides technical and economic assessments supporting project viability, production targets and financial forecasts depend on assumptions about market conditions and financing that may not materialize.

The company emphasizes there is no guarantee all assumptions will hold or that DFS outcomes will be achieved. Additional studies and exploration are required before mining decisions. Investors are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or DFS results. Public information did not indicate an immediate share price impact following the conference and Investor Hub launch.

Positioning to Strengthen Allied Nation Supply Chain Resilience

Northern Minerals’ strategic messaging stresses its role in supporting energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and defense supply chains for Allied Nations. The company recognizes rare earth supply security as a strategic priority for governments and industries aiming to reduce dependence on single-source suppliers. Its focus on heavy rare earth elements, especially dysprosium and terbium, aligns with policy goals to establish alternative sources critical for clean energy and defense technologies.

By developing Browns Range as a Western alternative to Chinese supply, Northern Minerals aims to benefit from policy initiatives promoting diversified supply chains for strategic materials. This positioning may provide sustained market support as governments and industries prioritize supply security alongside cost in procuring critical rare earth elements.