Minerals 

We are committed to growing Australia's role as a reliable, sustainable and globally competitive supplier of energy and mineral exports. We are also supporting sovereign capability growth through downstream value-adding and manufacturing.

Australia’s mineral resources are among the richest in the world. 

Minerals are naturally occurring, inorganic, solids. There are 3 types of minerals:

  • metals and mineral ores
  • sands
  • gemstones. 

Oil and gas differ from minerals as they are made up of hydrocarbons. 

Geoscience Australia provides definitions for each mineral, including critical minerals.

Find opportunities in the minerals sector

Open

Junior Minerals Exploration Incentive (JMEI)

The JMEI encourages investment in small minerals exploration companies that carry out greenfields mineral exploration in Australia. JMEI has been extended until June 2025.
Find out more on the ATO website

Critical minerals

Australia has an abundance of critical minerals vital for clean energy and advanced technologies. We have an opportunity to become a global leader as an ethical and environmentally-responsible supplier.
Read more

Regulating minerals

Regulating offshore mineral exploration and mining  

We regulate mineral activity in Australian waters under the Offshore Minerals Act 1994.

Regulating the Ranger Uranium Mine  

Ranger is a uranium mine about 260 kilometres east of Darwin in the Northern Territory (NT).

Taxes, royalties and export controls on minerals and petroleum

Companies that extract mineral and petroleum resources must pay taxes and royalties. Companies who export minerals must meet requirements.

Latest news

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Tianqi Lithium Kwinana - Image credit Gary Peters Photography
Critical Minerals Office

Critical Minerals Development Program: virtual information session replay

We’ve published a recording and transcript of the virtual information session for the Critical Minerals Development Program that took place on 25 January 2023.
Tianqi Lithium Kwinana - Image credit Gary Peters Photography
Critical Minerals Office

Critical Minerals Development Program grants now open

Australian businesses and state or territory governments can apply for a co-funded grant of up to $30 million to support early and mid-stage critical minerals projects.
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National Reconstruction Fund

National Reconstruction Fund: virtual consultation sessions

Registrations for virtual consultation sessions are now closed. Watch the virtual consultation presentation.
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National Reconstruction Fund

National Reconstruction Fund: have your say

Have your say in shaping the design of the Australian Government’s National Reconstruction Fund.