A little roadhouse in the middle of the Australian desert has had a business boost, thanks to the mining industry.

Greg Dick, owner of Aileron roadhouse, 100 kilometres north of Alice Springs, says a rare earths mine looks certain to go ahead just five minutes’ drive away.

Arafura Resources recently announced a $20 million injection from a Chinese company into the project.

Mr Dick says that means 60 workers will be staying at his roadhouse.

“While everybody is on the downturn, we’re looking at an upturn of the whole place,” he says.

“They’re putting in a power station, so they’re going to put the power on to us, and water.”