The Northern Territory government in Australia has granted the approval for the A$369m ($356.62m) development of the McArthur River Mine near Borroloola, clearing the final hurdle for the expansion project.
The proposed phase three development project will more than double the production of zinc and lead at the mine, making it the largest zinc resource worldwide.
Global mining and commodities giant Glencore Xstrata, the operator of the mine, had already received federal approval for the expansion project.
Northern Territory Mines and Energy Minister Willem Westra van Holthe said that the planned expansion will create 300 new jobs, and will extend the mine’s life by nine years, to 2036.
With the proposed development, the company expects to raise production at the mine from the current 2.5 million tons of ore per year to 5.5 million tons of ore.