The Australia-US critical minerals partnership has marked its first year with over A$6 billion in conditional financing support across more than a dozen projects, and a new gallium facility in Western Australia.
Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and United States President Donald Trump signed the United States–Australia Framework for Securing of Supply in the Mining and Processing of Critical Minerals and Rare Earths at the White House in October 2025.
The Framework establishes a bilateral mechanism to strengthen critical minerals supply chains. It brings together coordinated investment, financing, offtake arrangements and project prioritisation to move projects from development to production.
Two of the first projects identified under the Framework were the Alcoa-Sojitz Gallium Recovery Project in Western Australia and Arafura Rare Earths’ Nolans Project in the Northern Territory. In 2026, both these projects reached final investment decision and have recently broken ground on construction. The project pipeline has since expanded to more than 12 projects across 5 states and territories.
‘Australia and the US are delivering on the commitments made in the White House,’ says Madeleine King, Minister for Resources and Minister for Northern Australia.
Unlocking capital for Australian projects
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) has issued Letters of Interest to a range of Australian critical minerals projects under the Framework, beginning with 7 projects in October 2025.
Most of these projects are being progressed with Export Finance Australia (EFA) under a Single Point of Entry, giving proponents a streamlined pathway to both export credit agencies. EXIM and EFA have since extended coordinated support for additional projects in 2026.
The projects span rare earths, graphite, magnesium, scandium, nickel, cobalt and mineral sands. These commodities are essential to defence, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies.
The governments and industry partners of Australia, Japan and the United States, together with Alcoa Corporation, held a groundbreaking ceremony for the gallium production plant in Western Australia. Image courtesy of Alcoa.
A milestone for secure gallium supply
In August 2026, the US Department of War announced an estimated US$174 million equity investment in a new gallium production facility at Alcoa’s Wagerup alumina refinery in Western Australia.
The project is a multinational partnership with EFA, the Government of Japan and Sojitz Corporation. Alcoa of Australia will operate the facility, which is expected to produce 100 tonnes of gallium a year. It is expected to create up to 200 construction jobs and around 20 permanent roles.
Gallium is essential to the high-performance semiconductors used in advanced radar, missile defence and secure satellite communications. It is also used in the solar cells that power satellites.
The facility is a significant step in efforts by key strategic partners to develop non-traditional sources of gallium and build long-term supply chain resilience.
‘This landmark agreement with our key allies, Australia and Japan, will secure a vital supply of gallium for our defense industrial base,’ says Michael Cadenazzi, US Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy.
Connecting Australian projects with US partners
Austrade has worked closely with the Australian companies identified under the Framework, as well as a broader range of Australian critical minerals projects, to engage with the US Government.
Austrade connects Australian projects with key US government agencies, financing institutions and strategic industry partners. It also raises the profile of Australian projects in the US market and advances opportunities for collaboration across supply chains.
Australia’s critical minerals advantage
Australia combines world-class critical minerals resources with a stable investment environment, sophisticated mining and processing capabilities, and a highly skilled workforce. These advantages position Australia as a trusted partner in building resilient and diversified global supply chains.
The Australian Government has made critical minerals a priority industry under its Future Made in Australia agenda. Support includes the Critical Minerals Facility, a critical minerals production tax incentive and a Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve. These measures help de-risk projects and connect them with capital and partners.
Find out more about Australia’s financing pathways for critical minerals investors.
The recently updated Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus is a practical starting point for investors. It is an interactive tool showcasing 94 investment-ready projects, comprising 58 upstream and 36 midstream projects.
How Austrade can help
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