Resources Victoria is boosting the potential of the state’s critical minerals to underpin the renewable energy transition and create new jobs by promoting what the state has to offer overseas and making changes to help unlock development opportunities.
Magnets in wind turbines, solar cells, rechargeable batteries and the copper wires right to our doors are just some of the ways minerals and the metals they make are crucial to renewable energy generation.
Victoria has substantial mineral sand deposits that contain titanium, zirconium and other rare earth elements. Other opportunities across the state include copper, antimony, high purity alumina and silica.
From 3 March, Resources Victoria will have a strong presence at the world’s largest resources conference along with a host of Victorian-based companies looking to promote the state’s resources.
The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada event in Toronto will see Victoria’s geoscientists front and centre of the Australia Minerals pitch to 30,000 attendees from over 130 countries.
To unlock the potential of critical minerals projects across the state, the scope of the Resources Victoria Approvals Coordination (RVAC) unit has broadened.
RVAC will case manage key critical minerals exploration and development projects to assist proponents and build community confidence in Victoria’s strong regulatory provisions.
Businesses developing critical minerals projects will be held to the highest safety and environmental safeguards. RVAC will help provide a clear and certain pathway for development, balancing the need to advance critical minerals projects and address community concerns.
Victoria’s gold exploration and mining renaissance in recent years has set the scene for the expansion of critical minerals development. The state is home to a thriving resources sector with the know-how to make the most of the opportunity to supply the materials needed to achieve Victoria’s climate change goals.
Quotes attributable to Resources Victoria CEO Matt Vincent
“Our significant critical minerals potential means Victoria can be a leader in the renewable energy supply chain.”
“Businesses based in Victoria, large and small, are already helping deliver a range of vital resources we need today and can now help deliver the materials we all need for tomorrow.”
“We are continuing to deliver the reforms needed to ensure the sustainable and responsible growth of our minerals industry, that can bring us wealth and vital benefits, while being held to a more transparent and consultative approach so local communities are engaged throughout the life of projects.”
