Under the Australia-Japan Joint Declaration on Economic Security Cooperation announced today, we, the Prime Ministers of Australia and Japan, announce the elevation of critical minerals as a core pillar of our economic security relationship.
The importance of our strategic coordination for critical minerals, including for advanced manufacturing and the energy transition as well as for broader economic security, will further strengthen the Special Strategic Partnership between Australia and Japan.
Sharing concerns about the concentration of critical mineral supply chains and its impact on downstream industries, we commit to strengthening collaboration on investment and diversification of critical mineral supply chains, including through further utilising existing frameworks such as the Australia-Japan Critical Minerals Partnership.
This includes deepening policy coordination and information‑sharing, including on the use of public financing vehicles including Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and initiatives such as Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve, and measures to streamline regulatory processes, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Australia and Japan will focus on strategic projects to address the most urgent supply chain vulnerabilities in mining, refining and downstream manufacturing in Australia and Japan.
The Australian Government through the Critical Minerals Facility and Export Finance Australia (EFA), is providing support of up to AUD1.3 billion, including non-binding Letters of Support, to critical minerals projects involving Japan. The Government of Japan has, through JOGMEC, provided approximately AUD370 million in investments and grants to the following projects, and plans to provide further investments and grants as they make their progress. We will build on these through even closer collaboration in our shared critical mineral project pipeline.
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.
We will enhance our collaboration on identifying further strategic priority projects, including through further business missions and facilitating discussions among critical minerals miners, investors, financiers and off takers.
We also commit to aligning our efforts with our partners, including the United States, to strengthen our collective engagement on critical minerals.