The value of mineral production in the Northern Territory has surged to a record $6.08 billion in 2025/26, with strong gold and manganese production driving a 39.6 per cent increase on the previous year.
The latest result is the highest recorded in the Territory and well above the previous record of $4.93 billion set in 2018/19.
Gold was the largest contributor, with production increasing to 13.36 tonnes and the total value of gold sold rising 60 per cent to $2.665 billion.
Manganese also delivered a major boost, with production increasing 174 per cent to 5.05 million tonnes (Mt) as South32’s GEMCO operation on Groote Eylandt returned to normal production levels following Cyclone Megan in 2024.
Bauxite production increased to 13.2Mt from 12.9Mt, with sales valued at $918 million, while zinc-lead production remained steady at 638,000 tonnes, generating sales of $897 million.
The Territory’s emerging lithium industry also returned to activity during the year, with Core Lithium resuming mining at its Finniss operations in May 2026, including restarting production at the Grants open pit.
The resources sector now sustains more than 6,000 direct jobs across exploration, extraction, processing and production, while a further 7,875 jobs are supported across the Territory.
The record production result is also expected to increase royalty revenue available to the Northern Territory Government, with the figure exceeding the $445 million in royalties forecast for 2026/27.
Northern Territory Mining and Energy Minister Gerard Maley said the resources sector was generating benefits across the Territory.
“[We are] backing our resources sector because when it grows, opportunities flow right across the Territory – from regional communities through to local businesses and our service and supply chains,” Maley said in a statement.
“This sector is delivering thousands of well-paying jobs to hard working Territorians, but the benefits don’t stop there.
“The expected stronger royalties from the record revenue result means greater funding for the things that matter like our schools, roads and health services,” he said.
Maley added the resources industry was delivering across gold, manganese, bauxite, zinc, lead and emerging critical minerals.
“The Territory’s resources industry is delivering across commodities, from gold and manganese through to bauxite, zinc, lead and emerging critical minerals,” he said.
