November 27th, 2025Developing Victoria’s critical minerals sector

The state government is backing jobs in Victoria’s developing critical minerals sector – with the approval of exploration works at one of the state’s most significant gold and antimony deposits.

Premier Jacinta Allan has announced the approval of a new exploration tunnel for Southern Cross Gold’s Sunday Creek Project near Kilmore.

The tunnel will enable underground drilling and exploration to begin on land the company owns while reducing community impacts, especially noise and light. 

The planned exploration activity will help Southern Cross Gold better understand the area’s mineralization with strong measures in place to address community and environment impacts.  

Research by the Geological Survey of Victoria suggests that central Victoria has a larger antimony resource than previously believed. 

Mining is already a big part of central Victoria’s economy and could grow further thanks to the new exploration near Kilmore.

Launched as part of the Economic Growth Statement, the Government’s Critical Minerals Roadmap is helping drive development of the state’s mineral resources while ensuring the community is engaged throughout the life of the projects by companies awarded the rights to extract state-owned minerals.

It coincides with a large increase in development activity, particularly in north west Victoria, which could support up to 7000 additional jobs in the coming decades.

Victoria has world-class mineral sand deposits containing demonstrated resources of titanium, zirconium and rare earth elements.

While critical minerals are in the spotlight, the state’s gold sector remains strong, underpinned by generations of strong local workforce and expertise plus record gold prices.