Billionaire Friedland to build large rare earth mine backed by the US

date
02/11/2026
The Australian mining company, led by billionaire Robert Friedland and backed by funding from the U.S. Department of Defense, has approved advancing a large rare earth project. Sunrise Energy Metals announced on Monday that it will develop the Selsdon scandium mine and associated refinery in New South Wales, with a target of starting production in 2028.