Western Australia’s Mines and Petroleum Minister, Bill Johnston, is leading a two-week mission to Canada, the US, Japan and South Korea to promote Western Australia’s globally-recognised battery, critical minerals and energy sectors.
During the mission, Mr Johnston will reinforce Western Australia’s reputation as a stable supplier of resources and energy, with a particular focus on critical minerals, and its capabilities in future batteries and carbon capture and storage.
Mr Johnston will meet government officials and business leaders and take part in high-profile events and will attend a number of roundtable discussions while in Washington. This will include meeting with the Centre for Strategic and International Studies and the Australian Strategic Policy Institute to promote opportunities in Western Australia that can contribute to global decarbonisation efforts.
“It’s the right time for Western Australia to position itself as a world leader in batteries and critical minerals, and this mission will build our relationships with key trading partners,” Mr Johnston said.
“Western Australia has a strong track-record as a trusted investment partner for those seeking to diversify and de-risk their resources supply chains.
“We offer investors a stable investment environment, robust and transparent regulatory approvals system, access to export markets and low barriers to international trade.
“Western Australia is a major supplier of critical minerals. The state accounts for around half of global lithium production and is a major exporter of nickel, cobalt, manganese and rare earths.”
The US is a high-priority market, with lithium and other battery minerals required to service its electric vehicle industry. There is also considerable demand for rare earths from the US defence industry.
While in Canada, Mr Johnston will speak at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada Convention, the premier international trade exhibition for the minerals industry, attracting more than 20,000 delegates from around the world each year.
During the North East Asia leg of the mission, Mr Johnston will further raise the profile of Western Australia’s resources sector and reaffirm the state’s long-standing relationship with Japan and South Korea.
Mr Johnston will also attend the InterBattery Conference in South Korea, host a roundtable on carbon capture and storage in Japan, and meet with high profile North East Asian battery manufacturers, government representatives, trading houses and steel companies.
