WA Government welcomes boost to critical minerals sector

• WA Government welcomes Federal Government's $50 million funding to fast track critical minerals projects across Australia
• State receives lion's share of spend supporting new strategy to grow sector in WA
• Investment to create jobs and opportunities while helping meet 2050 net zero target
  

The McGowan Government welcomes the Federal Government's $50 million commitment to accelerate the development of critical minerals projects across Australia through its Critical Minerals Development Program.

The program supports Australia's new Critical Minerals Strategy to grow the sector nationally, with seven of the 13 successful projects to receive funding based in Western Australia.

The funding will support critical minerals operators to diversify supply chains, build domestic downstream processing capacity, and provide employment opportunities, while helping Australia and international export partners to lower emissions to meet net zero commitments by 2050.

Commonwealth funding for projects in WA includes a pilot project to set up the country's first Precursor Cathode Active Material manufacturing plant in Kwinana, the commercialisation of CSIRO-patented technology for the clean extraction of magnesium metal along with a plant in Collie, and a project to produce rare earth oxide concentrate in Halls Creek.

A full list of successful projects can be found here: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/critical-minerals-development-program/grant-recipients

Comments attributed to State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister Roger Cook:

"We are at a critical moment in history, where Western Australia has the opportunity to capitalise on the demand for our battery and critical minerals including lithium, nickel, cobalt and rare earth elements.

"Investment in projects like these will also continue to deliver benefits to local communities and underpin economic growth in regional WA for years to come.

"It will also create and support a number of jobs while continuing to diversify and strengthen Western Australia's economy."

Comments attributed to Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Johnston:

"With some of the largest battery minerals processing facilities in the world, Western Australia is already firmly established as a global leader in the supply of critical minerals and rare earths.

"This commitment by the Federal Government, alongside significant investment by the State Government enables the development of a world-class, value-adding critical minerals downstream processing industry that fuels both global and national decarbonisation efforts.

"Providing the State with a competitive advantage will not only bolster current critical minerals projects but lead to the exploration of other opportunities in this field."

State Development, Jobs and Trade Minister's office - 6552 6500

Mines and Petroleum Minister's office - 6552 6700