Funding is now available for resources technology and critical minerals processing manufacturing projects under the Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI), the centrepiece of the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy.
Applications for the $1.3 billion MMI aim to help manufacturers scale-up production, commercialise products and tap into global supply chains.
Prime Minister of Australia, Scott Morrison, said manufacturing plays a key role in the COVID-19 recovery.
“Our Modern Manufacturing Initiative will help position Australia as not just a global leader in the resources sector but also in the manufacturing of the technology used, as well as turning the raw materials into value-added products,” Mr Morrison said.
“Today’s funding will help unlock investment from industry to help build manufacturing capability and competitiveness in Australia’s resources sector while taking advantage of a significant global growth sector.”
The investment will support jobs across Australia, particularly in resource-rich regions like the Hunter, Western Australia and Central Queensland.
Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, said the new Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Processing National Manufacturing Priority Roadmap sets out a 10-year vision to build sophisticated manufacturing capability in Australia in the resources sector.
“Opportunities outlined in the Roadmap include turning critical minerals into high-value products like batteries and solar cells, as well as technologies and equipment that makes mining more efficient and safe,” Minister Andrews shared.
“This funding will back businesses to pursue those opportunities and turn innovative ideas into high-value products so we can build on Australia’s competitive advantage and secure greater investment and market share.”
Minister for Resources, Water and Northern Australia, Keith Pitt, said bringing on new supplies of critical minerals and developing the emerging sector will help meet growing global demand.
“Developing our critical minerals processing capability will ensure Australian companies can move down the value chain, getting greater value out of the products they produce,” Minister Pitt said.
The Roadmap also identifies how Australia can develop its resources technology to maximise efficiencies in the high performing resources sector.
“Our focus on resource technology will also support the development of new ideas to improve mine productivity, process efficiency and safety. As the sector’s productivity grows so does the Australian economy, benefiting all Australians,” he commented.
MCA welcomes the announcement
Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA), Tania Constable, said the Roadmap and grants program recognises the potential for Australia to share more of the value of critical minerals in a rapidly changing global economic, technological and strategic environment.
“Australia’s future success in critical minerals – as with other minerals – will be based on quality resources, homegrown expertise and our nation’s reputation as a reliable secure and sustainable supplier,” Ms Constable said.
“[This] will help attract the investment and technology necessary to meet the growing needs of global supply chains for critical and other minerals for high-value products like batteries, solar cells and other innovative and early-stage technologies.”
Ms Constable said the Australian resources sector has been an incubator of globally competitive industrial and technological innovations that have enabled tens of thousands of Australian businesses to grow and trade a diverse range of goods and services domestically and internationally.
“The success of the METS sector proves that manufacturing in Australia can and should be efficient, commercially competitive and technologically advanced.”
More information on the Roadmap and available grant funding can be found here.