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Australia and the United States are looking to unlock further investment in Australian critical minerals projects, with new discussions focused on strengthening financing arrangements and securing mineral supply chains between the two countries.
Federal Minister for Resources Madeleine King met with Export-Import Bank of the United States (US EXIM) president and chairman John Jovanovic on November 10 to explore opportunities for greater US investment in Australian mining and processing developments.
The discussions also focused on increasing the supply of Australian critical minerals into US manufacturing industries, particularly those supporting defence, advanced technologies and industrial production.
“We have the critical minerals the United States and the world need, and we want to see more investment flowing into the Australian projects that can supply them,” King said.
The talks build on the Australia–United States Critical Minerals Framework, which has seen the two governments announce more than $6 billion in support for critical minerals projects during its first year.
The framework was signed in October 2025 to accelerate investment in mining and processing projects while diversifying supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths.
The original agreement outlined joint investment commitments and identified strategic developments including Arafura Rare Earths’ Nolans project in the Northern Territory and Alcoa’s proposed gallium recovery project in Western Australia.
King said the latest discussions would examine how US EXIM could work more closely with Export Finance Australia (EFA) and other Australian Government financing agencies.
“Working with US EXIM and our own financing agencies can help bring together the investment needed to turn promising projects into producing mines and processing facilities,” King said.
“This is about backing strategically important projects that strengthen our economic security and build more resilient critical minerals supply chains.”
The latest discussions follow recent Australian Government financing commitments supporting Astron’s Donald rare earths and mineral sands project in Victoria and Global Advanced Metals’ tantalum operations.
The commitments included up to $70 million in conditional EFA financing and a $110 million National Reconstruction Fund Corporation commitment for Donald, alongside a proposed US$41.4 million EFA loan supporting tantalum production.
Meanwhile, Australia’s updated critical minerals prospectus is showcasing 94 projects to prospective investors, highlighting opportunities across mining, processing and refining.
The latest US EXIM discussions form part of the broader effort to translate these investment opportunities into operational projects capable of supplying international markets.
“More investment means more Australian critical minerals being mined and processed, more opportunities for Australian businesses and workers, and more of the critical minerals our partners need coming from a country they know and trust,” King said.
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