PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The Australian government will work with state and territory governments, as well as foreign partners, to build the critical minerals sector.

Mines Minister Madeleine King said in Canberra this week that the government was seizing the opportunities presented by critical minerals in order to create jobs, economic opportunity and prosperity across the country.

“One of the most important elements of building our critical minerals industry is international collaboration and partnership-building. We can’t outspend larger economies. But we can leverage growth through partnerships with our friends and allies,” she said.

"Australia earlier this year signed the Australia-United States Climate, Critical Minerals, and Clean Energy Transformation Compact, under which both countries agreed to establish the Ministerial-level Australia-United States Taskforce on Critical Minerals, which I will lead for Australia."  

The task force will accelerate and expand development of critical minerals and clean energy technologies and foster greater integration of responsible clean energy supply chains.

A critical minerals partnership has also been inked with Japan to establish a framework for building secure critical mineral supply chains between Australia and Japan, while a partnership with the Republic of Korea and with India are progressing as the nations accelerate their respective transitions to renewable.

“The Australian government is committed to cooperating with Australia’s states and territories to uplift our critical minerals sector and process more materials onshore,” King said.

“In Ministerial roundtables, my counterparts have reiterated the importance of developing policies that attract foreign investment for resources projects. We have also agreed to a renewed focus on efficiency in approvals so projects can get off the ground quickly.

“The government is committed to working with the states and territories to address skills shortages as we develop a new Migration Strategy.

“We’re united in believing critical minerals can take the nation and especially regional Australia, on the pathway to produce the metals and materials needed to lower emissions nationally and internationally.”