Nauru’s economic lifeline is running out and it wants a shot at collecting the rare minerals the world needs to transition to net zero emissions. But critics say deep sea mining will also harm the environment.
China dominates the production of many critical raw materials for advanced technologies,and is willing to weaponise that.
If Australia wants to do more than just “dig and ship” its wealth of critical minerals it may have to back processing investments.
The Albanese government says it will invest hundreds of millions to work with “like-minded partners” around the world to overcome China’s market dominance.
Orica says a levy on high-emissions imports will level the playing field for Australia against unfair global competition.
America is supercharging its clean energy economy,setting the scene for a global race to control critical minerals,rare earths and other new energy resources that has vaulted Australia’s mining sector onto the world stage.
The compact agreed by Anthony Albanese and Joe Biden last week underscores the opportunity and potential risks created by America’s push to get less dependent on China for strategic resources.
Producers want government help to set up precincts with an industrial ecosystem to drive down costs.
Thirteen projects in Western Australia,NSW and Queensland will receive multi-million-dollar taxpayer grants to support the federal government’s critical minerals strategy.
The Australian Workers’ Union will lead a push for the introduction of a “significant,punitive tax” on exports of raw critical minerals.
Eager miners are making a big push for “green” minerals in the state’s south,but affected residents are finding out just what happens if they try to push back.