Miners Body AMEC Proposes Rare Earths Production Scheme for Australia

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC) has put forward a comprehensive new proposal aimed at establishing a robust rare earths production framework for Australia.

The detailed scheme, outlined in a policy paper released this week, calls for a coordinated national strategy. It emphasizes the development of integrated processing capabilities, moving beyond simply mining raw materials to creating higher-value refined products within the country.

Key components of the proposal include incentives for downstream processing plants, streamlined approval processes for critical minerals projects, and strategic partnerships between industry and federal as well as state governments. The plan positions this initiative as essential for national security and economic resilience, reducing reliance on concentrated global supply chains.

Practical Roadmap 

“Australia has the mineral resources and the technical expertise to be a world leader in the ethical and sustainable production of critical minerals,” a senior AMEC representative stated. “This scheme provides a practical roadmap to capture more value onshore and secure our position in the global market.”

The proposal arrives amid heightened international focus on diversifying sources of rare earth elements, which are vital for modern technologies like electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and defense applications. AMEC argues that a proactive, government-backed scheme is necessary to unlock investment and ensure Australia capitalizes on this strategic opportunity.

  AMEC, Australia, Earths, Production, Proposes, Rare, Scheme