Australia and the United States have stepped up efforts to secure critical minerals supply chains, with both governments confirming new investment measures and closer coordination under a bilateral framework.
According to the Australian Government, the inaugural Mining, Minerals, and Metals Investment Ministerial brought together senior Australian and US officials to progress the bilateral framework on securing supply in the mining and processing of critical minerals and rare earths.
The communiqué said the framework is intended to strengthen and diversify supply chains underpinning sectors including manufacturing, defence, and energy.
The Australian Government said both countries have, within six months of agreeing to the framework, each taken measures to provide at least USD $1 billion in financing to support key projects.
It stated that the mobilisation of public and private capital is aimed at supporting development across the shared industrial base and improving long-term supply resilience.
As outlined in the communiqué, Australia and the United States have agreed to establish a Critical Minerals Supply Security Response Group, led by senior representatives from the U.S. Department of Energy and Australia’s Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
The Australian Government said the group will focus on priority minerals, identify supply chain vulnerabilities, and coordinate efforts to accelerate the delivery of processed materials under the framework.
The communiqué further noted that both governments committed to closer alignment of policy and regulatory tools, including cooperation between financing and strategic reserve mechanisms.
The Australian Government said this includes coordination involving Australia’s Critical Minerals Facility and Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, alongside U.S. initiatives such as the Export-Import Bank and Project Vault.
In addition, the Australian Government said a joint forward workplan has been approved to guide collaboration across areas including mineral resource mapping, streamlining permitting processes, and facilitating recovery of minerals from waste streams.
The communiqué also referred to efforts to address the impacts of non-market policies on domestic industries.
The Australian Government stated that ministers or their delegates are expected to reconvene within 12 months to assess progress.
As part of the framework, the Australian Government also listed a number of supported projects, with total announced backing of $1.4 billion from Australia and $2.2 billion from the United States.
These projects span a range of commodities, including rare earths, nickel, graphite, tungsten, and magnesium, with additional initiatives involving minerals such as vanadium and scandium receiving indicative support.
