Abx Group’s 37Mt Sunrise bauxite project nears 2027 environmental approvals

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Australia-based ABx Group is advancing its Sunrise bauxite project in Queensland towards a key environmental approvals milestone targeted for 2027, as development partner Good Importing International (GII) shifts its capital and management focus towards the project.

The move strengthens the development pathway for the Binjour bauxite mine and associated Bundaberg port operations, with the project holding a JORC-compliant resource of 37 million tonnes of gibbsite-type metallurgical bauxite.

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ABx’s project vehicle, ABx3, has appointed Onterris Australia to manage the environmental approvals work for the Binjour mine. The consultant will prepare the Site-Specific Environmental Authority (SSEA) and Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan (PRCP), marking the next stage in the project’s regulatory pathway.

The Sunrise Bauxite Project comprises a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource of 37 million tonnes of gibbsite-type metallurgical bauxite at Binjour, together with planned port operations at Bundaberg.

GII has invested USD 2.7 million in ABx3 for a 70 per cent acquisition of interest in the project subsidiary. The funding is being dedicated to planning the mine as well as environmental and port approvals for an initial direct shipping ore (DSO) programme.

ABx Managing Director and CEO Dr Mark Cooksey stated, “The decision to prioritise the Sunrise project will see GII’s capital and management resources intensify on that project.”

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GII option on NSW bauxite assets expires

Sunrise is being shifted to the focal point as GII’s exclusive option to invest USD 4.8 million for a 75 per cent interest in ABx2, holding the Taralga and Penrose bauxite projects in New South Wales, is to expire.

ABx will consequently retain full ownership of the two NSW bauxite assets. The company will also retain the USD 300,000 non-refundable option fee previously paid by GII. Part of that amount was used to fund external due diligence on the Taralga bauxite project.

The shift in focus allows GII to concentrate its capital and management resources on Sunrise, while ABx retains full control over the NSW assets and their future development.

As Cooksey noted, the company sees the NSW assets as potential rapid-development opportunities, especially due to their proximity to Port Kembla.

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