WA's battery and critical minerals industry

Critical minerals are key enablers of the global energy transition as they are essential for manufacturing batteries, electric cars, wind turbines and solar panels. They are also essential for defence systems and many other advanced technologies. 

Why Western Australia?

WA has some of the most significant critical minerals deposits in the world, including virtually all the minerals on Australia’s critical minerals list, and is a leading supplier of lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, mineral sands and rare earths.  

The State also has advanced critical minerals processing capabilities, with global-scale investments in battery chemical and rare earth refineries in recent years.  

As a well-established, reliable and ethical supplier of critical minerals and processed materials, WA is well positioned to expand our role in global supply chains. 

Western Australia’s advantages

There are a number of advantages to developing critical minerals projects in WA, including:

• Abundance and diversity of critical minerals deposits and mines
• Existing capabilities, with a well-established industry, infrastructure and services
• Low sovereign risk, with strong democratic institutions and free market rules, making it a stable investment environment
• Robust and transparent regulatory frameworks, with high environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards