A Blog for Browsing Mining, Mineral Processing, and Metals Info

The two Governments have already identified the following key projects that have the potential to materially diversify the supply chains for critical minerals:

• Lynas Rare Earths Project
  A flagship initiative symbolising collaboration between Japanese and Australian industry on critical minerals. In 2011, a joint venture (JARE) between Sojitz Corporation and JOGMEC provided equity and loan financing to Lynas Rare Earths to commence light rare earth production. In 2025, the project reached a further milestone with the commencement of heavy rare earth production.
• Alcoa Gallium Recovery Project
  This project involves Alcoa working with Japan Australia Gallium Associates (JAGA)—a joint venture between Sojitz and JOGMEC—to develop gallium recovery at one of Alcoa’s operating alumina refineries in Western Australia, for use in semiconductors, LEDs, and solar cells. The project is planning to be supported by equity investment from the Governments of Japan, Australia, and the United States.
• Magnium Magnesium Project
  Magnium Australia is planning the commercial production of high‑purity magnesium, widely used in lightweight applications including the automotive and aerospace sectors, in Western Australia using a low‑carbon process with reduced environmental impact. Hanwa Co. Ltd., a Japanese trading company, as well as the Government of Japan, has also expressed interest in this initiative.
• Tivan Fluorite Project
  The Speewah Fluorite Project, located in Western Australia, is a Japanese Government‑supported initiative involving a joint venture between Sumitomo Corporation and JOGMEC, in collaboration with Tivan Limited, to produce acid‑grade fluorite, a key raw material for hydrofluoric acid used in semiconductors, EVs, and other advanced applications. It has also received a non-binding and conditional Letter of Support from EFA.
• RZ Resources Critical Minerals Project
  The Copi Critical Minerals Project in New South Wales is a mineral sands project, looking to develop supply of critical minerals and rare earth elements, owned by RZ Resources, with participation from JX Metals Corporation and Marubeni Corporation. It has also received non-binding indications of support as a critical minerals project from EFA and the U.S. Export Import Bank.
• Ardea Resources Kalgoorlie Nickel Project
  The Kalgoorlie Nickel Project – Goongarrie Hub is one of the largest nickel cobalt resources in Australia. The project is being developed as a joint venture with Ardea Resources, Sumitomo Metal Mining, and Mitsubishi Corporation. The Government of Japan has provided funding support under its economic security grant towards building a resilient and secure critical minerals supply chain. The project has received non-binding and conditional indications of support from EFA and the U.S. Export Import Bank. The Australian Government has selected Ardea to participate in its investor front door pilot, which aims to streamline project engagement with government.

Read more at: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet