Australia announces $491m in funding to boost critical minerals output

SYDNEY  (REUTERS, BLOOMBERG) -  Australia announced almost A$500 million (S$491 million) in funding to boost output of critical minerals, aiming to diversify supply for its allies and counter China’s dominance of the global market.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison unveiled the funding for a slew of projects in Western Australia on Wednesday (March 16) and said the state would become a powerhouse for Australia’s allies.

“Recent events have underlined that Australia faces its most difficult and dangerous security environment that we have seen in 80 years.

"The events unfolding in Europe are a reminder of the close relationship between energy security, economic security and national security,” he told reporters.

A meeting of the Quad group leaders of Australia, United States, Japan and India agreed in Washington in September to improve supply chain security for rare earths.

Mr Angus Taylor, minister for industry, energy and emissions reduction, said China dominated around 70 per cent to 80 per cent of the industry globally.

"(It) continues to consolidate its hold over these supply chains. This initiative is designed to address that dominance,” he said

Diplomatic relations between Australia and China are strained, with Canberra describing trade sanctions imposed on Australian agriculture and coal by Beijing in response to political grievances as “economic coercion”.

Critical minerals are used in smartphones, computers, rechargeable batteries and electric cars as well as defence and space technology.

Projects to be funded include the second rare earth separation plant to be built outside China, a battery material refinery and a vanadium processing plant. Funding will also be provided to commercialise government research and bring new companies to market.

Some A$200 million will also be included in this month’s budget for grants to bring more critical minerals projects to market. Australia has already made A$2 billion in financing available to build the industry.

Australia produces half the world’s lithium, is the second-largest producer of cobalt, and is the fourth-largest producer of rare earths.

Diversifying resources exports will strengthen the Australian economy, officials also said.

Australia’s resources and energy exports are worth A$348.9 billion, with iron ore shipped from Western Australia to China the nation’s biggest export earner.

Mr Morrison's announcement comes as he is struggling in opinion polling ahead of a likely May election.

In recent weeks, the Australian leader has made high-profile announcements on national security spending, including a A$10 billion naval base, aimed at boosting Australia's domestic manufacturing industry and the country's self-reliance in the region.