What specific financial commitments have Australia and Japan made to strengthen their critical minerals partnership?

Australia has committed up to A$1.3 billion, while Japan has provided approximately A$370 million in investments and grants, with both countries stating further funding will be provided as projects develop, totaling A$1.67 billion ($1.20 billion) in combined support for the critical minerals sector.

Which Australian critical minerals projects are explicitly named as potential recipients of government funding under the Australia–Japan partnership, and what are their key outputs?

The named projects include: (1) Alcoa’s gallium recovery initiative at a Western Australian alumina refinery, targeting use in semiconductors, LEDs, and solar cells; (2) Magnium Australia’s high-purity magnesium production in Western Australia for automotive and aerospace sectors; (3) Tivan’s Speewah Fluorite project in Western Australia, producing acid-grade fluorite for hydrofluoric acid used in semiconductors and electric vehicles; (4) Copi Critical Minerals Project in New South Wales, a mineral sands project supplying critical minerals and rare earth elements via RZ Resources, JX Advanced Metals, and Marubeni; and (5) Ardea Resources’ Kalgoorlie Nickel project (Goongarrie), a joint venture with Sumitomo Metal Mining and Mitsubishi, targeting nickel-cobalt supply.

Australia, Japan Strengthen Critical Minerals Ties

May 3, 2026

Australia and Japan commit $1.67 billion to secure critical minerals supply chains, funding projects for rare earths, gallium, and nickel involving companies like Lynas and Alcoa.

reuters

2026-05-03

Australia, Japan Strengthen Critical Minerals Ties

Australia, Japan Strengthen Critical Minerals Ties

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