The Australian Aluminium Council is urging the addition of bauxite, alumina, and aluminium to Australia’s Critical Minerals List.
This call comes in response to a recent report titled Vulnerabilities & Opportunities in Australia’s Upstream Aluminium Sectors, which highlights increasing risks facing the industry.
“The current inclusion of aluminium on Australia’s Strategic Mineral List recognises its importance in the shift to net-zero, but it lacks the necessary policy support,” said Marghanita Johnson, CEO of the Australian Aluminium Council.
She explained that the Strategic Mineral List is more of a “watchlist” of minerals that meet the criteria for critical status but aren’t seen as currently at risk of disruption.
Johnson believes adding these minerals to the Critical Minerals List would boost industry and job growth. It will also send a strong message to international trading partners that Australia is committed to ensuring a secure supply of these essential materials.
“We don’t want aluminium to become the next nickel, which until earlier this year was only viewed as a strategic mineral,” she explained.
“One of the greatest cost increases expected over the next five years will come from delays in environmental approvals, limiting access to bauxite for our alumina refineries. Indonesia can approve and build an integrated bauxite mine and alumina refinery faster than Australia can approve a bauxite mine.”
In addition to having bauxite, alumina, and aluminium listed as critical minerals, the council is urging the Federal Government to streamline environmental approvals for bauxite mining and alumina refining, and to back the aluminium industry’s role in the global shift towards a green economy.