Victoria has the potential to be a major player in ethically produced critical minerals from their significant mineral deposits. To support the emerging industry and to build community confidence in its development, the Victorian Government has launched its first Critical Minerals Roadmap. The roadmap aligns with global priorities for renewable energy, technology development, and sustainable economic growth.
Critical Minerals Overview
Critical minerals, comprising key metal and non-metal elements, are vital for renewable energy, modern technologies, and sustainable development. Their “critical” status stems from supply risks due to scarcity or geopolitical challenges.
Victoria’s Mineral Potential
- Major Deposits:
- Titanium, Zirconium, and Rare Earths: Found in significant quantities in mineral sands in northwest Victoria.
- Antimony: Central Victoria hosts Australia’s largest antimony deposits and the nation’s only operating mine.
- Exploration Activities: Early-stage exploration is underway for minerals like bismuth, indium, lithium, nickel, platinum group metals, rhenium, silicon, tin, tungsten, and zinc.
- Copper: Recognised as a strategic material, copper deposits are present in the west and east of Victoria.
The Geological Survey of Victoria maintains a map highlighting the state’s critical mineral and strategic materials potential.
Key themes in the Roadmap
Theme 1: Mapping the opportunities
The government will identify and promote new critical minerals opportunities by modernising our geoscience data and employing new-generation geological mapping. In addition, early consideration of environmental features, biodiversity, land use and community values will facilitate smoother project approvals and reduce investment risks. This will help make Victoria an attractive destination for responsible and respected investors and operators.
Theme 2: A modern regulatory regime
Victoria has a robust regulatory framework to oversight exploration and mining activity around the state. To support new critical mineral projects, the government will establish a Victorian Critical Minerals Coordination Office to engage industry on processes and standards and reduce approvals timelines.
The government will also review guidance materials and operational practices to provide greater clarity and streamline processes. This work will support the government’s continued implementation of a modernised duty-based regime for exploration and mining approvals.
Theme 3: Critical minerals production and processing in Victoria
Victoria boasts the nation’s largest manufacturing workforce, world-class research and innovation capabilities and hosts a range of globally integrated supply chains. The government will investigate downstream production opportunities in critical mineral processing and manufacturing. This will include preliminary studies to investigate potential economic and national supply security benefits from downstream processing facilities in our state.
Where possible, Victoria will also seek to partner with the Australian Government and other Australian states and territories to enable more value-added development and expand markets.
Theme 4: Sharing the benefits of Victoria’s minerals
Victoria will investigate benefit sharing models for local communities and Traditional Owners, balancing the interests of community, landholders, Traditional Owners, government and industry to optimise social, environmental and economic outcomes.
Download the roadmap Victorian Critical Minerals Roadmap.pdf (PDF, 7.6 MB) or for further information visit critical minerals roadmap
