The demand for reliable, domestically sourced energy has never been more critical for Australia. 

As global markets face volatility, the need to strengthen sovereign energy capacity is firmly in focus. 

At the same time, surging global demand – driven by the rapidly expanding middle class in China, India and South-East Asia – is fuelling what could become the greatest mining and resources boom in the Northern Territory’s history. 

The flagship of the NT’s resources growth is the Beetaloo, the vast sub-basin sprawling across the heart of Territory. 

It is one of the largest shale gas developments in the world, potentially rivaling the Marcellus basin in the United States, which transformed the country from a major energy importer into a net exporter within a few years. 

And it holds enough prospective shale gas resources to underpin Australia’s gas supply needs for more than 150 years. 

Economists say it will directly and indirectly create thousands of jobs and generate $17 billion in economic growth by 2040. 

Momentum is building, with the first gas from pilot production expected to enter the domestic market this year – marking a significant milestone in the basin’s development. 

Key proponents, including Tamboran Resources and its joint venture partner Daly Waters Energy, along with Beetaloo Energy Australia, are planning to deliver appraisal gas into the NT’s domestic market in the coming year under gas supply agreements with the Northern Territory Government. 

This will underpin the Territory’s domestic energy security as activity in the basin ramps up towards larger-scale commercial production by the end of the decade. 

“It is no exaggeration to say that the development of the Beetaloo is a transformational opportunity for the Northern Territory and Australia as a whole,” says the NT Mining and Energy Minister Gerard Maley. 

“With domestic gas shortfalls forecast on the east coast from 2028, the Beetaloo has a critical role to play in strengthening national energy security and supporting long-term economic stability. 

“More broadly, it is essential that Australia develops its own gas resources to ensure a reliable energy supply and reduce exposure to global market shocks, as we have seen during recent global fuel disruptions.” 

Investment interest continues to strengthen. Notably, INPEX has secured a significant stake in some of the Beetaloo’s most prospective acreage through a farm-in agreement with Daly Waters Energy. 

INPEX’s investment will drive gas to Darwin, where the company will use Beetaloo gas as backfill for its two LNG trains and for a third LNG train that is forecast to be built as part of the INPEX 2035 Vision released last year. 

To support this growth, the NT Government has released a further 4000 square kilometres of land – five times the size of Singapore – for onshore oil and gas exploration within the Beetaloo. 

The land is near key infrastructure, including the Amadeus gas pipeline and the Stuart Highway, and is surrounded by high-quality shale gas acreage held by Tamboran Resources and Daly Waters Energy, Beetaloo Energy and Santos. 

Critical enabling infrastructure is also progressing. 

An important pillar of the Northern Territory’s long-term energy agenda is Territory Energy Link. 

This is a proposed 670-kilometre strategic infrastructure corridor connecting the Beetaloo sub-basin to Darwin, and designed to support the coordinated delivery of future gas, water, fibre optic and other buried utility infrastructure. 

“Rather than multiple proponents each needing separate approvals and access, we are planning one corridor with a coordinated whole-of-government approach,” Mr Maley says. 

“That means greater certainty for investors, lower duplication costs, reduced impacts and a faster pathway for future development.”

That confidence is further reflected in Beetaloo Energy’s planned $10.4 million investment into the Territory Sands mine.

Two mineral leases are to be granted to Territory Sands to develop Forest Hill South, 470 kilometres south of Darwin, which holds high-quality quartz sand for use as frac sand in hydraulic fracturing operations in Beetaloo.

This is a real example of a local Territory business benefiting from Territory gas.

Alongside the Beetaloo, established producers are also reinforcing the Territory’s domestic gas supply capabilities.

Central Petroleum and its joint venture partners, Echelon Resources, Horizon and Cue Energy, continue to underpin local energy security. The gas fields in Central Australia’s Amadeus Basin, have been producing gas since the 1980s.

The joint venture partners recently signed a gas sales agreement with the Territory Government to develop two new wells at the Palm Valley gas fields – bringing more gas to Territorians in the near future. This drilling activity will commence in Q3 2026.

Beyond gas, the Territory’s broader resources sector is gaining momentum across a diverse pipeline of commodities.

There are 21 developing Territory mining projects in the pipeline representing $6.37 billion in potential investment and thousands of future jobs, most of them in regional communities, such as Alice Springs, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Pine Creek.

Rare earths projects are attracting global attention, driven by increasing demand for critical minerals used in modern technologies, such as electric vehicles, mobile phones and high-performance magnets.

Demonstrated resources of 21 globally-recognised critical minerals have been identified in the Territory, positioning it as a key player in global supply chains.

With China dominating rare earths mining, processing and magnet manufacturing, Australia’s potential – particularly in the Territory – has taken on increased strategic importance. The Federal Government, alongside the United States, has committed more than $6 billion nationally to support exploration and development in this space.

The NT Government continues to support the industry through the $9.5 million-a-year Resourcing the Territory program, which plays a key role in attracting and supporting resource exploration.

This work is undertaken by the NT Geological Survey, which is credited with opening much of the Territory for mining by carrying out extensive surveys, and producing maps, datasets and reports about the NT’s geology, geophysics and commodities.

This supportive environment is underpinning a wave of project development across the Territory, including the return of large-scale gold mining to the Barkly after more than two decades.

Operated by Tennant Mines, a subsidiary of South African gold miner Pan African Resources, the Nobles Gold Operations near Tennant Creek began commercial production last year, with the $94 million facility set to produce 50,000 ounces of gold annually, with plans to reach 100,000 ounces.

The Nobles project has already injected over $12 million into local businesses, including $1.4 million with Indigenous enterprises.

BEETALOO ENERGY MANAGING DIRECTOR ALEX UNDERWOOD AND LOCAL CONTRACTOR LES RICE

At the same time, established operations such as Newmont’s Granites mine in the Tanami Desert continue to deliver significant economic value, with a $2 billion expansion extending its life to at least 2040.

The mine, which produced 390,000 ounces of gold last year, employs 1800 workers.

The Territory’s gold sector is set for further expansion, with new mines being planned in all of the Territory’s key gold provinces of Pine Creek, Tennant Creek and the Tanami.

The Territory’s lithium industry is recovering after several years of low prices.

Core Lithium is to restart mining at the Finniss project, 88 kilometers south of Darwin, employing about 300 workers, including subcontractors, and expected to operate for 12 years.

Meanwhile, Arafura Rare Earths plans to make a final investment decision on the Nolans project, 135 kilometers north of Alice Springs, towards the end of this year.

The project, which is expected to have a lifespan of about 38 years, will include an on-site processing plant. Nolans contains one of the world’s largest resources of a rare earth mix known as NdPr, which is used in high-performance magnets

It was identified as one of only two priority projects under the US-Australia Critical Minerals Framework, highlighting the strategic importance of the mine not just for the Territory, but for global supply chains.

Additional developments across tungsten, graphite, phosphate and rare earths further demonstrate the breadth of opportunity.

The Territory is also shaping up as a world leader in carbon capture and storage.

The NT Government has amended pipeline legislation to allow the transmission of carbon dioxide and other regulated substances through licensed pipelines, which the industry says is crucial for offshore carbon capture and storage projects

Carbon capture is being driven by Santos, INPEX and Vopak through 

developments at Middle Arm on the outskirts of Darwin. Santos and INPEX are looking to make final investment decisions on their offshore CCS projects by 2028, while Vopak is looking to develop a carbon dioxide import terminal.

The NT Government has also made changes to the Mineral Titles Act, the cornerstone of the Territory’s mining industry, to improve the efficiency and transparency of exploration and mining processes.

With world-class deposits, increasing global demand, and strong government and industry backing, the Northern Territory is well positioned to play a critical role in energy supply security and the transition to a lower-emissions future. TQ