CRITICAL MINERALS STRATEGY:
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* Resources Minister Madeleine King releases a blueprint for critical minerals as rival economies chase market share
* Federal support for production and processing will get more value out of the country's resources, and create more jobs
* Build a sovereign capability to support manufacturing, including Australian-made batteries for the world's electric cars
* Develop a trusted, high-integrity supply chain for advanced economies that presently rely on China for factory-ready supplies
* Framework for targeting priority technologies when allocating investment from federal funds and programs
* Sustainability and environmental credentials are crucial as producers and consumers scrutinise where goods come from
* Under the plan, critical minerals and rare earths are central to making Australia a renewable energy superpower
* No new funding, and an updated list of critical minerals still pending
REACTION:
* Minerals Council of Australia says "significant work remains to be done" on an integrated industry policy for mining, processing and manufacturing
* Recharge Industries CEO Rob Fitzpatrick says the industry framework is a "lighthouse document" for global critical minerals policy
* Opposition resources spokeswoman Senator Susan McDonald says the strategy provides no clarity and no direction to the industry
* Industry groups call for nickel, copper, zinc, potash, phosphate, aluminium, alumina and bauxite to be added to the critical minerals list to send a clear message to investors
* "The world needs Australia to develop its critical minerals so that we can decarbonise," Association of Mining and Exploration Companies CEO Warren Pearce says
* Chamber of Commerce and Industry WA (CCIWA) says industrial relations and speeding up approvals are key to investment appeal
* CCIWA says the proposed "same job, same pay'' policy poses a genuine risk to the resources sector
Australian Associated Press
