US EditionFirst critical minerals for national stockpile revealed
The $1.2 billion reserve targets antimony and gallium to boost defence and clean-energy tech while cutting China’s near 90% control of global critical minerals supply.
- At a G7 finance ministers meeting in Washington DC, Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers will outline a $1.2 billion reserve designed to break Beijing's grip on critical minerals.
- China's near-monopoly on processing helps explain the move, since most of Australia's critical minerals were processed in China, which controlled close to 90 per cent of the global supply chain last year, and Canberra and Washington struck a $13 billion rare earths deal last year.
- Antimony and gallium are targeted first because they are priority resources within the AUKUS context, with antimony used in missile guidance and night-vision, and gallium in semiconductors and radar systems.
- The federal government will be able to buy from Australian mines and sell to other nations, positioning Australia as a reliable supplier for allies including the US while attracting investment and supporting mining and processing projects.
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is hosting the gathering of advanced economies, while two countries committed at least $1.5 billion each to critical minerals projects and the Albanese government pledged around 28 billion dollars.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Treasurer Heads to G7 Meeting in Washington For Rare Earth Talks
Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers is heading to Washington for a G7 financial minister meeting to discuss rare earth with important allies. There, Chalmers is expected to share Australia’s plan to build a $1.2 billion (US$800 million) critical minerals stockpile aimed at reducing the country’s reliance on China for critical metals needed in the manufacture of defence equipment and renewable energy technology. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessen…
Critical mission: why rare earths and minerals are a new priority for Australia
As the world's population becomes increasingly reliant on critical minerals to make technology from smart phones to car parts and even weapons, the resource has become a matter of national security. The Australian Government, announcing that it will prioritise several key critical minerals in the nation's 1.2 billion dollar strategic reserve.
Lynas Rare Earths stock climbs on Australia’s critical minerals reserve focus; what to watch next week
Sydney, Jan 12, 2026, 17:15 AEDT — The market has closed. Lynas Rare Earths Ltd shares ended Monday up 4.82% at A$14.78, having fluctuated between A$14.31 and A$15.01 during the session. Trading volume hit roughly 8.02 million shares, according to data from Investing.com. The buying surge occurs as U.S. officials urge allies to speed up securing supply chains for critical minerals before the G7 finance ministers meet in Washington. U.S. Treasury…
Australian National Review - Bessent Says Australia, India Invited to G7 Meeting on Critical Minerals
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent listens prior to U.S. President Donald Trump (not pictured) signing an executive order on AI in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S. December 11, 2025. Al Drago/Reuters SAVAGE, Minnesota—U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Australia and several other countries would join a meeting of finance ministers from the Group of Seven advanced economies that he is hosting in Washington …
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