New South Wales has launched an Australian-first Critical Minerals Skills Plan, with the initiative aiming to develop the workforce needed to support future mining and processing growth.
Announced during the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney, the plan is expected to grow skills across geoscience, minerals processing, engineering, trades and environmental, as well as social and governance practices.
It also seeks to encourage the next generation of workers to pursue resources careers, while expanding understanding of earth sciences and attracting global investment.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said the state had significant untapped potential, with 21 of Australia’s 31 critical minerals and four of its five strategic minerals, including deposits of rare earths, scandium, copper, silver and cobalt.
“I think it’s generally acknowledged, and certainly my opinion, that New South Wales is not taking advantage of these minerals anywhere near where we could be,” Minns said.
“Either to keep pace with other resource-rich countries, or to reach our full potential, we’d love investment.”
Minns said seven critical minerals operations had started or restarted in NSW over the past two years, with four more expected to commence soon and another 46 projects progressing through the development process.
The skills plan was developed following engagement with industry, education providers and unions, with the announcement coming amid broader efforts to strengthen Australia’s position in international critical minerals supply chains.
At IMARC, Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King announced a refreshed Australian Critical Minerals Strategy and a review of Australia’s critical minerals and strategic materials lists.
The strategy is intended to focus efforts on minerals, projects and supply chains that offer the strongest opportunities to advance Australia’s critical minerals objectives.
“Critical minerals are no longer simply a resources issue. They are central to economic resilience, industrial capability, and national security,” King said.
“[The new strategy] sets out the strategic leverage that our critical minerals grant us, what we must do to grasp hold of those opportunities and the role of our international partnerships in doing so.”
She also said the United States–Australia framework for securing critical minerals and rare earths supply, announced in Washington last year, was already delivering results.
“I’m really pleased to report that under that framework, both countries have now announced more than $6 billion in support for key projects,” King said.
“Working together with the United States under that framework, we are getting more projects off the ground, and that is precisely what we aimed to do.”
