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

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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. 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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Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre (PAIGC)

Powering Australia Industry Growth Centre grant: expression of interest

We are running a competitive grant process to select an entity to deliver the new centre. Grant guidelines are now available. We are accepting expressions of interest.
Close-up photo of electric battery made with lithium, a critical mineral
Critical Minerals Office

13 projects awarded funding to grow our critical minerals industry

The Australian Government has awarded nearly $50 million worth of grants under the Critical Minerals Development Program.
Fleets Geode
Australian Space Agency

Agile space tech leader pioneers fast-track method to search for critical minerals

An Aussie-designed mining solution is reducing environmental impact and using satellites to bring unprecedented efficiency. “ExoSphere” is Fleet Space Technologies’ answer to locating…
Australia and Germany signed a joint Declaration of Intent to work together to develop critical minerals value chains. Credit: Matt Jelonek.
Critical Minerals Office

Australia and Germany collaborate on critical minerals study

New study will support Australia’s commitment to achieve net zero by 2050.