Australia rushes minerals plan ahead of Trump meet to counter China’s curbs

Australia rushes minerals plan ahead of Trump meet to counter China’s curbs

Australia is formulating a plan for its critical minerals reserve that will focus on sales of future production, limiting the need for a physical stockpile, industry sources said, as Australian and US leaders prepare to meet next week. Australia’s critical minerals task force hosted a call last week with miners and project developers across a…

Australia is formulating a plan for its critical minerals reserve that will focus on sales of future production, limiting the need for a physical stockpile, industry sources said, as Australian and US leaders prepare to meet next week.

Australia’s critical minerals task force hosted a call last week with miners and project developers across a range of metals as it steps up industry consultations, according to four sources familiar with the matter.

The task force is seeking by the end of the year to have finalised its policy recommendations for the structure of a A$1.2 billion (US$782 million) stockpile of minerals that it believes is vulnerable to supply disruption.

The stockpile, which is expected to focus on rare earths, is anticipated to be ready by the second half of 2026.
Reuters previously reported that Australia was willing to sell shares in its reserves to allies, including Britain.
The push comes as Australia seeks to leverage its strategic importance as a key supplier to its allies ahead of a meeting between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and US President Donald Trump in Washington on October 20. Australia’s resource and trade ministries declined to comment.

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