The Aurukun Project is a large undeveloped bauxite resource located on the western side of Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, near the community of Aurukun. The deposit sits along the Gulf of Carpentaria coast and contains extensive lateritic bauxite mineralisation spread across a series of flat plateaus.

Aurukun hosts one of Australia’s largest bauxite resources, with mineralisation occurring close to the surface, making it suitable for conventional open-cut mining methods. The ore is intended to be mined using surface equipment before being transported to a nearby coastal export facility for shipment to international alumina refineries.

Development of the project has been proposed several times over past decades, with plans typically involving large-scale production of bauxite for export markets, particularly in Asia where it is used to produce alumina and aluminium.

It is currently being advanced as a joint venture between Glencore and a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd.

While the resource is significant, development has been slow due to logistical challenges, environmental considerations and the need for agreement with Traditional Owners and local communities.