The Australian and New South Wales governments highlighted the importance of increasing the supply of critical minerals, advancing technological innovation, and strengthening sustainability and ESG commitments at the International Mining and Resources Conference and Expo (IMARC) on Tuesday.

Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King and New South Wales Finance and Natural Resources Minister Courtney Houssos addressed attendees on the opening day, unveiling policies aimed at fostering sustainable growth, reinforcing Australia’s critical mineral supply chains, and supporting the country’s path toward net-zero emissions.

King highlighted the need for the industry to present a positive narrative about its strategic importance. “The resources sector is crucial to Australia’s prosperity and our ability to meet net-zero targets,” she said. “The industry must continue to tell the story of its role in the energy transition, the economic benefits it provides, and the high standards of safety and environmental care it maintains.”

Houssos echoed these sentiments, focusing on New South Wales’ potential in energy and the necessity for partnerships to attract investment in green industries. “NSW is on the cusp of realising the opportunities in energy, but we know we’re not alone in the global race,” she said. “We will need six times the amount of critical minerals currently mined to meet net-zero commitments – and we know all of this can be found in NSW.”

Highlighting the New South Wales government’s recently released Critical Minerals Strategy, Houssos outlined its foundation on five pillars: encouraging exploration, attracting investments, developing future-ready skills, expanding downstream processing, and ensuring responsible mining practices. “Our new strategy sets out a clear vision for NSW to be a leader in critical minerals and high-tech metals, generating economic prosperity through responsible exploration, mining, processing, recycling and advanced manufacturing,” she said.

“We want NSW to be moving further down the supply chain. Extracting minerals is a critical first step, but we can generate strong economic returns and support more jobs by getting into processing and advanced manufacturing.”

Anita Richards, COO of IMARC, remarked on the strong government presence at the event. “IMARC 2024 not only highlights Australia's commitment to sustainable mining and net-zero objectives but also serves as a key platform for fostering innovation, collaboration, and investment in critical mineral development—paving the way for a resilient, future-ready mining industry,” Richards said.