Australia-based critical minerals miner RZ Resources has been granted approval by New South Wales' Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure to proceed with first production from the Copi titanium minerals project in early 2029.

The development approval follows a public exhibition period, technical review by government agencies, and the preparation of a comprehensive response to submissions. It is a critical prerequisite to final construction approvals, project financing, and a final investment decision on the project.

The project, which is located in the Murray basin of New South Wales, positions RZ Resources to become a major global producer of critical minerals including rutile, leucoxene, ilmenite, premium zircon, and rare earth elements such as monazite and xenotime.

RZ Resources has received investment and support for the Copi project from Japanese companies JX Advanced Metals Corporation and Marubeni Corporation.

The Copi project's strategic importance has also been formally recognised by governments in the US, Japan, India and Australia, with the US Export-Import Bank having committed financing to supply chains serving the Quad countries - Japan, Australia, India and the US.

RZ Resources founder and chairperson David Fraser says the New South Wales development approval is a significant step forward in securing first production from the project. "The approval marks a defining moment for the company, the Wentworth community and for Australia's critical minerals sector, reflecting the confidence of government that Copi can be developed responsibly, sustainably and to the long-term benefit of the region."

Fraser believes the Copi project is a globally significant critical minerals opportunity that will help Australia and its allies secure supply chains for the materials that underpin energy, manufacturing and defence.

The project will create up to 480 direct jobs during construction, transitioning to a 240-strong operational workforce. During operations, it is expected to contribute up to $97-million every year in economic benefit to the local region through wages, procurement, and business expenditure, providing a sustained economic boost in the Wentworth Shire and Sunraysia region economy.

The company is also working to refurbish and upgrade a mineral separation plant, in Brisbane, Queensland, which, once commissioned in 2027, will mark the first major processing facility for minerals on Australia's east coast.

The plant will process third-party feedstock ahead of the Copi mine coming online, enabling the direct export of value-added mineral products without offshore processing, which further strengthens Australia's sovereign capability in the critical minerals supply chain.