Critical Minerals take Major Step forward at Middle Arm

NT Government

The world’s most revolutionary critical minerals technology is set to be developed at the Northern Territory’s Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct.

Middle Arm proponent Tivan has secured a long-term partnership with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, to facilitate the development and commercialisation of the TIVAN+ critical minerals processing technology.

The partnership certified by a Technology Licence Agreement (TLA) brings together critical minerals processing intellectual property and expertise from both organisations in an industry shaping deal.

This agreement provides Tivan with an exclusive 20 year worldwide license (except India) for the use of CSIRO’s critical minerals processing intellectual property for vanadium recovery and will underscore the use of innovative technology at Middle Arm.

In conjunction, Tivan and CSIRO will also develop ground breaking technology through a Research Services Agreement, this will facilitate the TIVAN+ Pilot Plant project as a precursor to future full-scale use of the technology.

This comes as Tivan and Larrakia Energy enter an agreement to supply 30MW of renewable energy from 2026 to Tivan’s planned Vanadium Electrolyte Facility at the Middle Arm Precinct.

Both of these agreements signify major progress in the Northern Territory’s goal of becoming a leader in low-emission energy and critical minerals processing as we strive towards 50% renewables by 2030.

Quote attributable to Minister for Mining, Nicole Manison:

“This is great new for jobs! Tivan is driving a vanadium project that will demonstrate another exciting critical mineral now being developed here in the Northern Territory.

“Tivan and CSIRO are bringing ground breaking technology to the forefront of the Territory’s clean energy sector, and this is partnership is proudly supported by the NT Government.

“The Middle Arm Precinct will be vital for this project and is this will help grow the green economy and deliver the technology we need for a greener, cleaner future.”

Quote attributable to Tivan Executive Chair, Grant Wilson:

“The critical minerals sector shapes as an arms race in research and development. Countries with the most advanced minerals processing technologies will dominate downstream value-addition for decades to come. For Australia to move beyond ‘dig and ship’ we need to be smart, not just lucky.

“Tivan’s long-term strategic partnership with CSIRO reflects these shared insights. Tivan has successfully re-shored many years of advanced R&D and integrated these efforts with CSIRO’s globally patented breakthrough in the separation of vanadium, titanium and iron.

“Our collaboration is based a durable alignment of interests that advances the national mission. It showcases the potential of co-operation between industry and research in steering Australia towards a more sustainable and low-emission landscape.”

Northern Territory Government

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