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Media releaseTuesday 3 February 2026

Opportunities abound in Australian critical minerals

Website search Joint media release with Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell. The Albanese Labor Government is positioning Australia to lead on the production of critical minerals, promoting key projects to investors around the world. The Government has launched the new Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus, including 49 mines and 29 midstream critical minerals processing projects ready for investment.

The Prospectus is an important tool for drawing in investment from around the world, to create jobs and new supply chains of critical minerals with partner nations. Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King launched the new Prospectus while in Washington DC, where she is taking part in Critical Minerals Ministerial meetings, led by the United States Government.

Critical Minerals and rare earths projects are located in every corner of Australia and are vital for the production of clean energy, as well as for the defence industry. The Albanese Government is committed to unlocking new projects, with a pipeline of investment secured through the United States-Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths signed last October.

The Albanese Government is also providing direct support through the $1.2 billion Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, the $4 billion Critical Minerals Facility and the Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive. The interactive Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus is available Quotes attributable to the Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell “Australia’s abundant deposits of critical minerals, alongside the expertise to extract and process those minerals, presents an invaluable economic opportunity that the Albanese Labor Government stands ready to seize.

“Our Government is committed to building a stronger resources sector through new investment and export opportunities, such as our recent free trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates. “The Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus now showcases midstream processing opportunities to international investors, attracting the investment needed to build a future made in Australia and create more high paying, secure jobs for Australians.” Quotes attributable to the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King “Australia has a responsibility to lead on the production of critical minerals and rare earths globally.

“Australia has the deposits and the know-how to develop critical minerals projects reliably, sustainably and at scale. “We have the expertise and world-leading labour and environmental standards. This Government is determined to position Australia at the front of global efforts to grow secure supplies of critical minerals and rare earths for our friends and partners.” The Department of Industry, Science and Resources recognises the First Peoples of this Nation and their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to the lands, waters, seas, skies, and communities.

We Acknowledge First Nations Peoples as the Traditional Custodians and Lore Keepers of the oldest living culture and pay respects to their Elders past and present. We extend that respect to all First Nations Peoples. Stay informed of the latest ministry list on the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet website This website is managed by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources

SourceResources Minister, Tuesday 3 February 2026 — as lodgedTA-260203-resour-d12838899cd2