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and energy storage markets. could be on the way. tionship with the world’s political and
Meanwhile, Canavan hoped that the “We will be looking soon at what we economic powerhouse to bring oppor-
$5 billion Northern Australia Infrastruc- do next in that space to help continue to tunities in the critical minerals sphere to
ture Facility (NAIF) would be used con- support, particularly the smaller explora- the fore can only enhance the status of
structively to break new ground in prov- tion companies in hard rock minerals,” the companies pioneering these niche
inces prospective for battery-related Canavan said. fields.
commodities. Attracting financial support continues “I don’t think there is a great under-
“We have invested in a number of in- to be a conundrum for junior companies standing across the public about these
frastructure projects which help support in the early part of 2020, particularly things which is completely understand-
opportunities in this broader space, es- those connected with battery minerals. able. But, I think there is a level of aware-
pecially the Mt Tom Price to Karratha Opaque markets in lithium and graph- ness increasing and it is important to re-
road which will also open up opportuni- ite and the extreme highs and lows of mind people how important mining is to
ties in that province – a lot of which are cobalt pricing in recent times have not all modern technologies – a smart phone
battery minerals based. NAIF remains helped players in those sectors, while starts with a shovel; every time it vibrates
open as an investment vehicle as well for there continues to be a general lack of in your hands it is thanks to rare earths,”
opportunities in northern Australia in this understanding among investors of the Canavan said.
space,” Canavan said. importance of such minerals. “Obviously we are not going to have
Across all commodities it is often jun- However, reports such as the Outlook electric cars without the big expansion of
ior companies taking the initiative and for selected critical minerals: Australia lithium, nickel and cobalt industries, so
putting their boots on the ground first, 2019, in which the Department of Indus- the mining sector is absolutely essential
however, many are incapable of with- try, Innovation and Science reviewed the to the modern economy and it has been
standing the cyclical ups and downs of current market dynamics for niobium, a key driver of the industrial revolution as
pricing that inevitably occur. rare earth elements, cobalt, antimony, well as being just as important to the in-
Canavan said the tax credit scheme magnesium and tungsten are helpful in formation revolution as well.”
supporting juniors at exploration phase highlighting the importance of non-tradi- – Mark Andrews
was one way government supports in- tional minerals.
dustry and signalled that more help And, by fostering a meaningful rela-

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