The Donald Project

15/10/2026

We’re hiring for two new jobs on the Donald Project:

🦺 Construction Health and Safety Superintendent
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4478805558/

📋 Project Officer
https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4478497924/

Click the links for details and to apply.

We look forward to hearing from you.

12/10/2026

📬 Out now! Read the latest Donald Project Digest.

As we target a final investment decision before the year is out, catch up on project progress.

https://mailchi.mp/thedonaldproject/donaldprojectdigest-october2026

Questions? Get in touch:

📍 Drop in: 23 Church St, Minyip (weekdays)
📞 Call: 03 5385 7088
✉️ Email: [email protected]

BETWEEN the Victorian towns of Minyip and Donald lies the Donald Project, a globally significant deposit of mineral sands and rare earths. They contain critical minerals essential for everyday products and advanced technology, from paint and porcelain to medical implants, smartphones, clean energy,....

11/09/2026

🌱 We’re looking for an experienced Land Rehabilitation Specialist.

The Donald Project is nearing development. From our site near Minyip, you’ll lead the project rehabilitation program through construction and into operations.

Engaging with expert stakeholders, including research organisations and the Victorian Government's newly formed Mineral Sands Agricultural Land Restoration Working Group, you will help put DMS at the forefront of responsible rehabilitation practice.

👉 Find out more and apply: https://shorturl.at/HToBY

08/07/2026

Interested in a job on the Donald Project?

Chat with us at the Ballarat Jobs & Training Expo on Friday 24 July about roles on this major critical minerals project near Minyip.

🕙 10.00am–2.00pm: School groups
🕑 2.00pm–5.00pm: General public

For more about the expo: https://www.ballaratjobsandtrainingexpo.com.au/

See you there!

16/04/2026

☕ Changes to our Coffee On Us schedule

We're changing our longstanding Coffee On Us format.

Instead of fortnightly meetups at cafes around the district, we'll now gather in Minyip once a month.

📅 If you'd like to talk about the Donald Project, please drop by Emma's at Coopers Crossing Garage Café, 76 Main Street, second Tuesday every month, 9am to 12pm.

Coffee and Danishes on us!

🔗 See all 2026 dates on the Donald Project website: https://www.thedonaldproject.com.au/events

If you can't join us there:

🏠 Drop into the DMS Minyip office at 23 Church Street, Minyip
📞 Call us on 03 5385 7088
📧 Email: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you.

13/03/2026

🚧 Works notice 🚧

Next week (week beginning Monday 16 March), we'll have machinery on the Donald Project site off Minyip-Rich Avon Road for a couple of days to prepare a hardstand area.

This is part of our ongoing enabling works for the project.

Any questions, please get in touch:

📍 23 Church Street, Minyip VIC 3392
📞 (03) 5385 7088
✉️ [email protected]

03/03/2026

Interested in a genuine role in overseeing the Donald Project?

Donald Mineral Sands (DMS) is seeking community nominations for the project's new Environmental Review Committee (ERC).

💬 "The community will be the yardstick of our performance," says Grant Huggins, DMS General Manager of Operations.

🙋 We welcome nominations from residents, landholders, business operators, and community groups. The ERC will scrutinise the project's environmental performance against commitments in the Victorian Government-approved work plan.

The committee will operate under an independent chairperson and formal Terms of Reference, with two-year renewable member terms. Membership will also include regulators, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

👉 Nominations close Friday 27 March 2026. www.thedonaldproject.com.au/erc

24/02/2026

📰 The February 2026 Donald Project Digest is out now.

Read the latest on the developing Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project, including infrastructure progress, water supply and management, what the project will mean for the regional economy, and plans for our new Environmental Review Committee:

https://mailchi.mp/thedonaldproject.com.au/donaldprojectdigest-february-2026

18/12/2025

🚰 After four months, 40 workers, and almost 2,000 lengths of pipe, the 14km Donald Project water pipeline is complete.

Running from Minyip Rural Pump Station along Minyip-Banyena Road and Gun Club Road on to our site off Walsh Lane, it's the first major infrastructure for the project.

Pictured onsite at the finished pipeline, DMS managing director Tiger Brown and project construction manager Paul Skellern.

About our water supply:

▪ We hold a 6.975GL annual allocation but expect to use only about a third each year (2.4GL). This water comes entirely from savings GWMWater created by replacing open channels with closed pipe – water that didn't exist under the old system.

▪ We bought our allocation in 2011 for $17.95m. We’ve since paid $8.3m in headworks charges while unconnected. GWMWater says our investment has helped keep water prices lower across the region.

▪ GWMWater confirms our supply won't affect service standards for existing customers.

Resources Victoria's Deputy Chief Inspector West inspected the Donald Project site last month to check all our planning and risk management is on track.

We’re targeting site construction in 2026, subject to Final Investment Decision.

20/10/2025

The Australian Government has granted Major Project Status to the Donald Rare Earth and Mineral Sands Project.

The designation recognises the project's national significance for economic growth, jobs, and regional development.

DMS managing director Tiger Brown said:

"The Donald Project will create real, lasting opportunities for our community - hundreds of jobs, support for local suppliers and businesses, and billions of dollars invested in the region over the long life of the mine. This federal recognition is another step towards delivering these benefits."

What this means

✅ Federal recognition of the project's importance
✅ Enhanced support and coordination with government agencies
✅ Streamlined pathway to development

The Donald Project contains a 1.81 billion tonne resource, which DMS will extract in two phases over 58+ years, producing critical minerals for advanced manufacturing and technology.

With all government approvals in place, the next step is a Final Investment Decision later this year. If positive, construction would begin in 2026.

Questions? Please contact us

▪ 03 5385 7088
▪ [email protected]
▪ 23 Church St, Minyip VIC 3392
▪ www.thedonaldproject.com.au