Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King is in Japan to help strengthen Australia’s resources trading relationship.
Critical minerals have been a particular topic of interest, with King urging Japan to help build up Australia’s critical minerals and rare earths industry.
“The Government of Japan and Japanese businesses already have a proven record of investing in and collaborating with Australian critical minerals projects,” King said.
“For example, Australian mining company Lynas Rare Earths is now the biggest producer of rare earths outside China.
“Japan has supported Lynas for more than a decade with over $325 million in loans and receives priority supply rights.”
King said that the two nations working together would be beneficial to the global critical minerals supply chain.
“Australian nickel and lithium resources are produced to the highest environmental, social and governance standards, meaning we offer more sustainable and ethical critical minerals than many of our competitors,” she said.
“However this is not recognised in the international market. This remains a significant concern to me. If the world is really serious about helping the planet, we need to ensure all materials we mine and manufacture are as green and clean as they can be.
“Australia and Japan are natural partners on new low emissions technologies.”
King will remain in Asia after her Japan visit, flying to the Republic of Korea later this week to continue promoting investment.
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