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COVER

nally around $US1 billion rarity in the global context where China
a year but are now critical dominates the supply chain and raw ma-
Australia-US geological for many modern technolo- terial is often sourced from unstable ju-
gies. Making sure there
risdictions in the developing world.
survey agreement is a reliable, diverse and “It is an exciting time and the intensity
competitive supply of these of the meetings and discussions has il-
In November, Geoscience Australia minerals is really important lustrated the commitment and sense of
and the US Geological Survey to the world economy.” urgency in both governments to work on
formalised a partnership on US Consul General Perth the issue,” Gainer said. “There has been
developing each country’s critical David J. Gainer told Paydirt an emphasis on creating and diversifying
the supply chain via responsible, sustain-
he had been impressed by
mineral assets. According to the level of engagement on able practices. That is a big emphasis
Geoscience Australia, knowledge the issue from Washington. and with the governance initiative the US
gained from the collaboration will: “There is deep interest on is trying to build framework where these
all sides to try to help solve topics are considered.”
• Improve both countries’ this issue,” Gainer said. While defence and trade issues domi-
understanding of their “There has been meetings nate US President Donald Trump’s elec-
geological resource potential between the US Defense tion year agenda, in Australia Prime
for critical minerals, Department, Australian De- Minister Scott Morrison and his Federal
including rare earth partment of Foreign Affairs Government is more concerned with es-
and Trade and the Secre-
tablishing a defining strategy for future
elements, and contribute to a tary of State where critical bushfire policy. The establishment of a
robust evidence base for minerals was on the agen- royal commission into the recent bushfire
global supply potential da and during his visit to the season has been floated by both sides
• Better identify and close US in September, Prime of politics. Canavan said it was a subject
under consideration.
Minister Scott Morrison
critical minerals knowledge discussed critical minerals “That will be a matter of discussion
gaps in Australia’s critical with President Trump. between the Federal Government, state
minerals understanding “In October, Secretary governments and territories. There will
• Help Australia understand of Commerce came to obviously be a major review of some
Australia and met with the
kind in terms of that and we will work out
future trends and match Prime Minister and Minis- ways to make sure we get to the bottom
resource potential to ters Canavan and Birming- of what happened and what we can do to
international demand ham and talked about criti- better protect Australians in the future,”
• Fast track innovation in cal minerals and the need Canavan said.
to create stability, transpar-
“We are never going to remove bush-
the critical minerals sector, ency in the supply chain. fire as a threat, it is something that we
including development of “The US Ambassador to will always live with, but we can always
online decision support Australia also took a del- do things better. With any event like this
tools with full data and egation of Australian min- we should review it and see what practi-
decision process transparency ers to Bangkok for the US cally we can do to make these problems
Indo-Pacific Business Fo- smaller.”
rum, where they met with Australia is reportedly on track to meet
Secretary of Commerce its 26% carbon emissions reduction tar-
Wilbur Ross.” get by 2030, with Morrison suggesting
In addition, Geoscience Australia could up the ante and lift its
Australia and the US Geological Survey target.
have signed an agreement focused on Governments around the world are
joint research into critical minerals, in- embracing ideas and inventions that will
cluding mapping, geological distribution play a role in a cleaner, greener future, by
and supply/demand chain dynamics. initiating policies geared towards lower-
“This is a multi-year research project ing carbon emissions.
which will see the agencies work closer Some countries have had to act faster
together to understand geological re- than others on this front and identified
search potential for critical minerals the transition to e-mobility as good a fix
mapping and mineral assessment and as any.
develop data analytics capabilities for China and select countries in Europe
supply/demand scenarios for the critical have set targets to have internal combus-
minerals pipeline,” Gainer said. tion engine vehicles removed from their
For the US, Australia looms as a reli- roads in favour of electric vehicles within
able partner for critical mineral supply, a timeframes of 10-20 years.

Matt Canavan

Page 22 FeBRUaRY 2020 aUSTRaLIa’S PaYDIRT