Cobar Shire will see more people coming to the region with the official opening today of NSW's newest critical minerals mine.

Aurelia Metals' Federation mine is about 110 kilometres south of Cobar and is expected to support more than 140 skilled jobs in its first eight years.

The mine will produce up to 600,000 tonnes each year, with largely underground work focused on zinc, gold, copper and lead.

“The Federation mine will bring immediate employment and investment benefits to Cobar, but it will also support more jobs and investment through supply chains and towns right across the Far West," NSW Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said.

“Mining has a long and proud history in NSW, and opening the Federation mine today shows it also has a bright future.

“The critical minerals and high-tech metals from mines across NSW will help build the products for a clean energy future. With deposits of 21 of the 31 nationally identified critical and strategic minerals, NSW is well placed to be a global leader."

A drone shot of Federation mine. PHOTO: NSW Government

As part of its initial project targets, the mine is expected to produce four metric tonnes of ore containing 328,000 tonnes of zinc, 192,000 tonnes of lead, 12,000 tonnes of copper, 116,000 ounces of gold and 772,000 ounces of silver.

The mining and exploration company has invested $143 million into the project and is expected to pay $74 million in royalties over its initial project life. 

The site was discovered in 2019 and received development approval in 2023 to mine until 2036.

Minerals from the mine will be processed locally at Aurelia Metals' Peak and Hera facilities.

About 40 per cent of the local workforce is directly employed in the mining industry.

“Federation is one of the highest-grade base metals development projects in Australia and is a key building block to unlock Aurelia’s growth potential in the Cobar Basin," Aurelia Metals CEO Bryan Quinn said.

“It is remarkable to be opening a brand new mine only discovered in 2019. The short turnaround is testament to the excellent collaboration of NSW government agencies, the Aurelia team and strong support from the community.

"Cash flow generated from Federation will help to advance Aurelia’s next organic growth project, which is the Great Cobar deposit.”

Metals like zinc, copper and gold can be used to make renewables like solar panels.

The opening of the region's newest mine comes as the Endeavor silver, lead and zinc mine looks to restart production in 2025.