Renewed calls for critical minerals list expansion
The Australian Aluminium Council is calling for bauxite, alumina, and aluminum to be added to the country’s Critical Minerals List.
The push comes as the ‘Vulnerabilities & Opportunities in Australia’s Upstream Aluminum Sectors’ report highlights growing risks in the sector.
“The current inclusion of aluminum on Australia’s Strategic Mineral List acknowledges the metal’s importance in the transition to net-zero but does not come with much-needed policy support,” Australian Aluminum Council chief executive officer Marghanita Johnson said.
“Instead, it is a ‘watchlist’ of minerals that would meet the criteria for being a critical mineral but are not currently considered vulnerable to disruption.”
Johnson said adding the minerals to the list would support industry and job creation while sending a signal to international trading partners that Australia is committed to safeguarding its role in the vital supply of these minerals.
“We do not want aluminum to become the new nickel which until early this year was also considered a strategic mineral,” she said.
“The industry has been vocal in urging the Federal Government to recognize the growing threats to our bauxite and alumina sectors.
“One of the greatest cost increases expected over the next five years will come from delays in environmental approvals, limiting access to bauxite for our alumina refineries. Indonesia can approve and build an integrated bauxite mine and alumina refinery faster than Australia can approve a bauxite mine.”
Along with adding bauxite, alumina and aluminum to the Critical Minerals List, Australian Aluminum Council is also calling on the Federal Government to streamline environmental approvals for bauxite mines and alumina refineries, and support the aluminum sector’s role in the global green economy.
www.australianmining.com.au