Australia endorses G7 critical minerals declaration

Website search Australia’s efforts to support the critical minerals industry have been given a major boost with leaders of G7 nations backing the strategic role of critical minerals and agreeing to the need to establish more secure supply chains. Leaders of the G7 have signed a new declaration in France, which was endorsed by Australia, giving new priority for nations to cooperate on critical minerals, mining, production and the diversification of supply chains.

Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King said the agreement was a major step forward in efforts by Australia to drive global efforts to cooperate on critical minerals and rare earths. “Australia has a responsibility to step up and lead on critical minerals and rare earths globally,” Minister King said. “Critical minerals and rare earths are vital for the renewable energy transition, but are also increasingly important to our defence and national security.

“The G7 declaration supports and follows the work Australia has been doing to build the sector and to stabilise global markets for materials which are crucial for our economic and national security. “I am enormously proud of the Albanese Labor Government’s leadership on critical minerals, and the G7’s latest recognition of the need to invest in the diversification of supply chains and processing methods.” G7 leaders committed to reducing dependency on a single supplier outside the G7 and partner countries.

Australia joined the initial G7 Critical Minerals Production Alliance, established by Canada, in 2025 and will continue to be a member of the expanded alliance. Minister King said Australia has been working with G7 nations, including the Critical Minerals Partnership with Japan and last year’s landmark Critical Minerals Framework with the United States. Since 2022, Australia has committed $28 billion to support Australia’s critical minerals and rare earths sector.

That investment includes $1.2 billion for a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, $17.5 billion for the Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive, and $5 billion for the Critical Minerals Facility to invest in strategically important projects. The G7 declaration is available at https://www.elysee.fr/en/G7evian/2026/06/17/g7-leaders-declaration-on-securing-supply-chains-for-critical-minerals 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.

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