Partnership to secure critical minerals supply chains

Australia and the United States have signed a landmark framework to strengthen supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths.

The agreement will accelerate mining and processing projects vital for defence, clean energy and advanced technologies, supported by a joint USD$2 billion commitment towards an USD$8.5 billion investment pipeline over the next six months.

Leading authority on sustainable mineral resources, Professor Mohan Yellishetty of Civil and Environmental Engineering discussed the framework with ABC radio's "The World Today."

He said “The timing can’t be better…it is happening when China is pulling strings on supply of critical minerals, most importantly rare elements which are needed by the world for many technologies. From mobile phones to high-tech equipment to defence and strategic applications."

Professor Yellishetty added "The world is going to need a lot of them (rare elements) as we have to reach net zero targets, and these underpin many technologies that are important for net zero transition.”

Listen to the full interview with Andy Park of ABC radio here.

Professor Yellishetty is co-founder of the Monash Critical Minerals Consortium and founder of the Australia-India Critical Minerals Research Hub. His contributions have been instrumental in shaping the Senate report for the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and the Critical Minerals Strategy 2023-2030.