There has been a slowdown in the pace of the national mining sector, but it seems nobody told NT. The Territory is reportedly on the cusp of several new projects and site expansions.

The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) says the Northern Territory is defying the national slowdown in mining, MCA NT executive director Drew Wagner says “I am really excited about the prospects for the next handful of years... we've got massive opportunities right now, we are on the cusp of so many great projects, so many developments and so many expansions.”

Authorities say the boom in NT is so active they may need a better port to handle it all. Infrastructure Australia has identified a $300 million dollar expansion of Darwin's port as a priority for the growth of export industries in northern Australia. Mr Wagner says it is possible that mining companies may contribute to more new ports, or to a port expansion in Darwin. Mining companies have already built ports, roads and other infrastructure in the Territory, but a final decision about contributing to port projects would be based on mineral prices and project economics.

The latest company to move its efforts into NT has been Perth-based TNG Ltd; they have lodged a notice of intent with the Australian Securities Exchange to develop a Mount Peake Mine, the vanadium, iron and titanium project, north-west of Alice Springs is expected to earn about $13 billion over a 20-year period.