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Western Australia (WA) has signed a new agreement with France to strengthen critical minerals supply chains, support investment and expand collaboration across processing, research and skills development.
The Letter of Intent (LOI) was co-signed by WA State Development Minister David Michael at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney.
The partnership aims to create opportunities across downstream and midstream processing, recycling and other value-adding activities, supporting local jobs and building industry capability.
It will combine Western Australia’s mining expertise and growing critical minerals processing capabilities with France’s strengths in mineral processing, metallurgy, engineering and industrial technologies.
Michael said the agreement demonstrated WA’s strategic importance to the global critical minerals sector and the growing interest from international partners in working with the state.
“Strengthening collaboration with France will support investment, innovation, and industry development across the critical minerals value chain,” Michael said.
“As demand for critical minerals continues to grow, Western Australia is well placed to leverage its resources, expertise, and industrial capability to support the energy transition.”
The LOI will also provide a framework to deepen bilateral trade, investment and collaboration, supporting WA’s economic diversification and France’s clean energy and industrial resilience ambitions.
France’s Interministerial Delegate for Ores and Metals Supplies Benjamin Gallezot said the LOI marks an important step towards diversifying the country’s critical minerals supply chains and strengthening its industrial capabilities.
“By pursuing a comprehensive co-operation across the entire value chain, from industry to R&D, this Letter of Intent is the foundation for a balanced partnership between France and Western Australia,” Gallezot said.
According to the WA government, more than 50 French companies are currently active in or exporting to WA, while more than 20 WA companies operate in or export to France.
Two-way trade between WA and France is valued at more than $900 million, and France is Australia’s tenth-largest source of foreign direct investment, according to the state government.
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