The Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) welcomes today's announcement of a new National Critical Minerals Strategy, being developed in consultation with industry and community stakeholders, including traditional owners.
CME Chief Executive Rebecca Tomkinson said the opportunity to help fashion such an important strategy would be well received by the West Australian mining and resources sector.
Ms Tomkinson said the critical minerals strategy was of particularly relevance to WA, which is home to a wide variety of future-facing commodities, including many of the minerals necessary for battery production.
Western Australia already produces 57 per cent of the world's lithium, along with battery-grade chemical products such as nickel sulfate, and there is more in the pipeline, including rare earths processing capacity.
"Australia has a massive opportunity in the critical minerals space, to create jobs and attract investment that helps communities flourish, and to add value through mid and downstream processing," Ms Tomkinson said.
"But taking full advantage of that opportunity requires collaboration and conversation across State borders, and for there to be a clear national vision for what Australia can achieve with its critical mineral wealth.
"I know our member companies will very much welcome the opportunity to have a 'seat at the table' and help mould a strategy that is going to plot the path for a key part of the mining and resources sector for decades to come.
"On behalf of the CME membership, I'd like to thank the Albanese Government for its willingness to listen to what's important to industry and engage a wide range of stakeholders in formulating this strategy."
CME also welcomes the coming commitment in next week's Federal Budget of $50.5 million over four years to establish the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub, and a $50 million investment over three years in the Critical Minerals Development Program for competitive grants to support early and mid-stage projects.
Critical minerals will play a significant role in the global energy transition and Australia is extremely well placed to capitalise on this opportunity.
