For a region that has lived with copper for generations, the approval of a new mine between Nyngan and Cobar is less about headlines and more about what comes next - jobs, longevity, and keeping the Cobar Basin working.

The NSW Government has granted development consent for Aeris Resources’ Constellation Project, marking the most recent new copper mine approved in the state and the first new critical minerals and high-tech metals project approved under the Minns Labor Government.

The Constellation Project sits within the Cobar Basin, near Aeris’ existing Tritton Copper Mine.

While often described broadly as “near Cobar”, planning documents show the site is slightly closer to Nyngan, around 55 kilometres north-west of the town, and about 45 kilometres north-east of the Tritton processing plant.

The approval does not introduce mining to a new area.

Instead, it adds another operation to an already active district that includes Tritton, Murrawombie and the long-running CSA Mine near Cobar, making the Cobar–Nyngan corridor one of the state’s most established copper regions.

Copper has been identified by the NSW Government as one of the state’s five priority metals, reflecting its growing role in renewable energy infrastructure, electric vehicles, data centres and electrification.

The Constellation Project will involve both an open-cut pit and an underground mine, with expected average production of around 500,000 tonnes of copper ore each year.

Environmental approvals show the core mine and infrastructure footprint will disturb about 170 hectares, with a broader project area, including access and service corridors, extending across a larger lease area.

In a region where water security is always front of mind, the project will not draw on town water supplies.

Water will be sourced and managed through approved mining infrastructure, with the project designed to integrate with Aeris’ existing operations in the district.

Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said it is encouraging to see the approval of the Constellation Project, with the NSW Government recently supporting 21 copper projects under the Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Exploration Program.

Scale and market momentum

According to Australian Mining, Constellation adds significant scale to Aeris Resources’ pipeline.

The approved open-pit ore reserve includes a probable reserve of 2.3 million tonnes at 2.0 per cent copper, alongside gold and silver, while the total mineral resource stands at 7.6 million tonnes.

Aeris executive chairman Andre Labuschagne said securing development consent was a key milestone.

“Coupled with our recently declared open pit ore reserve, this places us in a strong position for Constellation to become the next major ore source for Tritton in the near term,” Mr Labuschagne said.

The approval comes as NSW copper production continues to rise, increasing by around one-third over the past three years, with about 190,000 tonnes produced last year.

Industry forecasts suggest copper production will need to double globally to meet demand driven by the energy transition.

Construction of the Constellation Project is expected to start soon, with operations scheduled to begin before the end of 2026, pending construction.

The project is forecast to create around 125 jobs during construction and up to 255 jobs during peak operations, including 178 ongoing roles at the mine.

Over its expected 16-year life, the mine is forecast to contribute around $42 million in royalties to NSW.

NSW currently has 15 major metals and critical minerals mines, employing about 6,000 people, largely across the Central West and Far West.

Planning Minister Paul Scully said the approval was another step forward for the state’s clean energy transition, while Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos said rising global demand for copper reinforced the importance of projects like Constellation.