Donald Mineral Sands, The Buloke Times

Donald Mineral Sands (DMS) has reached a Journey and Understanding Agreement with the Traditional Owners of the land where it is developing the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project (Donald Project).

The agreement is between DMS and Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC), the Registered Native Title Body Corporate (RNTBC) representing the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jadawadjali, Wergaia, and Jupagulk Peoples (WJJWJ Peoples).

The WJJWJ Peoples are the Traditional Owners and recognised Native Title Holders of lands and waters along Barringgi Gadyin (the Wimmera River). Their Country extends from Gariwerd (the Grampians) through to Ngalpakatia/Ngelpagutya (Lake Albacutya) and beyond into sandhill country. The Donald Project Mining Licence area (MIN5532) is within this Country, near Minyip, about 300km northwest of Melbourne.

The Journey and Understanding Agreement

The Agreement establishes framework for a long-term relationship based on trust, mutual respect, and transparency, supporting the self-determination of the WJJWJ Peoples and provides for:

• A Cultural and Environmental Governance Framework with a joint Strategic Oversight Committee and a joint Technical and Operational Working Group providing the WJJWJ Peoples meaningful input into project decisions affecting Country.
• Employment, training, and procurement opportunities for the WJJWJ Peoples and WJJWJ-aligned businesses.
• Participation by the WJJWJ Peoples in environmental management, rehabilitation, and mine closure planning.
• Cultural awareness training delivered by Barengi Gadjin Land Council across the Donald Project organisation.
• A Best Practice Implementation Protocol ensuring project approvals uphold WJJWJ cultural values.
• Cultural heritage protection measures consistent with current best practice.
• Financial contributions supporting WJJWJ Peoples’ self-determination principles programs throughout the life of the project.

DMS and Barengi Gadjin Land Council will establish an Agreement governance structure and develop implementation protocols. A Barengi Gadjin Land Council liaison officer, part-funded by DMS, will serve as the key point of contact between the parties.

The Agreement complements existing cultural heritage management arrangements under Victoria’s Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and aligns with best practice for partnerships between Traditional Owners and the resources sector.

“The Journey and Understanding Agreement reflects our commitment to working in a genuine partnership with the WJJWJ Peoples, the Traditional Owners of the lands where the Donald Project will operate,” said DMS managing director, Tiger Brown.

“Barengi Gadjin Land Council has been a constructive and valued partner in advancing the Donald Project and this agreement lays the foundation for an ongoing relationship built on respect, transparency, self-determination, and shared benefit.”

The Donald Project

The Donald Project, near Minyip, in Victoria’s Murray Basin, is a globally significant deposit of critical minerals. The project contains a total mineral resource of 1.81 billion tonnes, with a planned 58+ year mine life over two phases. The resource will produce zirconium, titanium, and rare earth elements including neodymium and praseodymium, supporting technologies vital to clean energy, defence, and advanced manufacturing. 

DMS is targeting site construction in 2026, and first production in 2027, subject to securing project financing and completing a positive final investment decision (FID). In developing the Donald Project, DMS is committed to responsible land use, progressive rehabilitation, and long-term economic contribution to regional Victoria.

DMS and Astron

Donald Project Pty Ltd, trading as Donald Mineral Sands (DMS), is developing the Donald Project. It is a joint venture between ASX-listed Astron Limited and US critical minerals producer Energy Fuels. Astron Limited (ASX: ATR) is an Australian-based ASX-listed company.

Astron’s prime focus is the development of the Donald Project. Astron also conducts a mineral sands trading operation. 

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 12 February 2026.