Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King has launched the 2026 Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus, highlighting 49 mines and 29 processing projects ready for international investment.
The launch took place during ministerial meetings hosted by the US Government, where King said Australia must take a central role in global supply chains.
“Australia has a responsibility to lead on the production of critical minerals and rare earths globally,” King said. “Australia has the deposits and the know-how to develop critical minerals projects reliably, sustainably and at scale.”
The prospectus showcases midstream processing opportunities, reflecting the Australian Government’s focus on moving beyond extraction to value-added manufacturing. King said Australia’s high operational standards are a key competitive advantage for partner nations seeking secure sources for clean energy and defence technologies.
“We have the expertise and world-leading labour and environmental standards,” King said. “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.”
King has dismissed China’s decision to lift rare earth export controls as a tactical move, saying Australia should not to be lulled into a false sense of security. The minister urged the resources industry to continue developing independent processing capabilities and said the underlying strategic competition for critical minerals remains intense.
“We shouldn’t be fooled by what might be a temporary reprieve,” King told The Australian. “The challenge of concentrated supply chains remains the same today as it was yesterday.”
King discussed the Federal Government’s commitment to the Critical Minerals Strategy and framed Australia as a vital and consistent partner for global allies.
“Our goal is to ensure that Australia and our partners are never again in a position where our economic security can be undermined by the decisions of a single jurisdiction,” she said.
“Australia is at the forefront of global action to diversify global supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths, which are essential components for defence and clean energy technologies.”
The Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus is available here.
