The Australian and Western Australian governments have announced a joint $3 million investment to support a feasibility study for a Critical Minerals Advanced Processing (CMAP) facility in Western Australia.
The study will be led by the Minerals and Resources Institute of Western Australia and aims to explore the establishment of a common user facility in the Perth region.
Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King said the initiative is part of a broader effort to enhance Australia’s critical minerals processing capacity.
“Common user facilities are an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to growing our capacity to process our mineral resources here onshore to build a future made in Australia,” Minister King said.
“By giving local businesses the tools to process what they dig up, we will be helping them grow and will create more good, well-paid jobs for Australians.”
The funding comes under the $10.2 million Critical Minerals National Productivity Initiative, which seeks to support small and medium-sized businesses in downstream processing of critical minerals and strategic materials at a demonstration scale.
The proposed CMAP facility would house pilot plant equipment to advance Australia’s role in the global supply chain for critical minerals.
Western Australian Minister for Mines and Petroleum David Michael said the study aligns with the state’s strategy to develop its battery and critical minerals industries.
“The Cook Government aims to capture more value onshore, with a particular focus on expanding our advanced processing capabilities and our ‘midstream’ industries,” Minister Michael said.
“To achieve these ambitions, a Critical Minerals Advanced Processing (CMAP) Facility capable of demonstrating critical minerals processing to a more advanced value-added stage will lead to the development of greater onshore processing and manufacturing opportunities over the next ten to twenty years.”
Michael also highlighted the importance of the facility in advancing Western Australia’s Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy 2024-2030, emphasising the collaboration with the federal government.
“The Cook Government is committed to delivering Western Australia’s Battery and Critical Minerals Strategy 2024-2030 and welcomes the Federal Government’s support to deliver this vision, which will benefit the nation.”
