Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos this week met with key stakeholders to discuss the NSW Government’s approach to its new Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy.
The industry roundtable marked an important step in collaborating with the sector to directly inform the NSW Government’s renewed strategy.
To be released in 2024, the new strategy will consider new opportunities to encourage domestic processing and manufacturing, boost regional economies, develop skills and training, and safeguard the state’s clean energy supply chain.
More than 40 stakeholders from the sector attended the event at NSW Parliament, including representatives of mining companies, industry bodies and unions.
Discussions at the roundtable focused on ways the NSW Government could support the sector to unlock the full potential of NSW resources, encourage investment and leverage the state’s strong ESG credentials.
NSW has an abundance of critical minerals and high-tech metals that are crucial for developing low-carbon economies and achieving the state’s net zero goals.
Critical minerals and high-tech metals are essential components in electric vehicles, smartphones, computers, solar panels, batteries, and a range of defence and medical equipment.
The consultation with the industry comes shortly after the Federal Government announced a $2 billion expansion in critical minerals financing.
The funding was welcomed by the industry as a way to provide support for processing and to strengthen Australia’s position as a world-leading provider of critical minerals to drive the global transition to net zero.
Minister Houssos also gave the opening ministerial keynote address at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
During the speech the Minister promoted NSW as an attractive and stable investment destination, highlighted the state’s skilled and well-trained workforce and highlighted its plans to engage more in mineral processing.
It was also announced that NSW would again be hosting IMARC with the conference remaining in Sydney in 2024. This year’s conference attracted a record number of delegates from across Australia and overseas.
Submissions on the new NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy are open until 17 November 2023.
Have your saylaunch on the critical minerals and high-tech metals strategy.
Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said:
“NSW has globally significant deposits of critical minerals and high-tech metals. Showcasing the state at IMARC is an opportunity to capitalise on their increasing global demand and drive investment to the state.
“This is the second year Sydney has hosted the biggest mining event in the Southern Hemisphere and we’re pleased it will return once more in 2024, with the NSW Government as host partner.
“This year more than 8500 delegates gathered. This record attendance is testament to the strength of our mining and exploration sector.
“It was great to hear the views of industry at the roundtable. The new strategy will provide certainty and stability for the sector as it embarks on a new period of growth.
“We are collaborating closely with the industry and with unions to establish a clear framework to guide government action and support the critical minerals and high-tech metals sector in NSW.”
NSW Director of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) Lucy McClean said:
“We thank the Minister for Natural Resources for taking the time to meet with industry to discuss the importance this strategy will have for the minerals sector.
“NSW has so much to offer the global economy and the new strategy is an opportunity to help build a strong exploration and mining sector to support our future.”
Chief Executive Officer for the NSW Minerals Council Stephen Galilee said:
“Mining is a key contributor to many regional communities across NSW. The minerals industry is deeply intertwined with the history and economic development of many communities across the state.
“An effective critical minerals and high-tech metals strategy will complement the NSW Government’s commitment to supporting the industry and provide a solid framework for the long-term future of the resources sector in NSW.”