Albanese government announces $1.2 billion critical minerals strategic reserve

The federal government announced plans on Thursday to establish a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve with an initial investment of $1.2 billion, including a $1 billion increase to the existing Critical Minerals Facility. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the initiative would boost Australia’s economic resilience and leverage the country’s abundant resources of critical minerals and rare…

In the trade war, China has moved to curb supply of critical minerals. Can Australia seize the moment?

By Marina Yue Zhang, University of Technology Sydney In the escalating trade war between the United States and China, one notable exception stood out: 31 critical minerals, including rare earth elements, were strategically exempted from tariffs. This was not a gesture of goodwill. It was a tacit acknowledgment of the United States’ deep dependence on…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

NSW government’s $2.5 million critical minerals co-investment fund The NSW government has launched a new $2.5 million co-investment seed funding program, which it says will “unearth the state’s next major critical minerals projects.” The new Critical Minerals Exploration Program requires a 50 per cent co-investment from successful applicants and will encourage more exploration in NSW,…

Tivan gets grant, major project status for Speewah

Vanadium developer Tivan’s Speewah Fluorite Project in Western Australia has been awarded Major Project Status by Industry Minister Ed Husic, recognising the national significance of the project. Aligned with the government’s Critical Minerals Strategy and National Battery Strategy, the project has also been awarded a $7.4 million cash grant under the government’s International Partnerships in…

Calix and Pilbara Minerals pause lithium technology project

Industrial technology company Calix and Pilbara Minerals have deferred any construction works not under contract at their $105 million Mid-Stream Demonstration Plant at Pilbara’s Pilgangoora Project in Western Australia. The project, supported by $20 million through the federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative, is 60 percent complete but will be paused until lithium markets return to…