Japan’s Sumitomo Corporation is partnering with Australian minerals company Tivan Limited to build resilient critical minerals supply chains between Australia, Japan and trusted partners.
The Japanese trading house has established a joint venture with Tivan to develop and operate an Australian-first fluorite project in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia.
Sumitomo Corporation and Tivan have also announced key terms of a proposed joint venture for a tungsten project in the Northern Territory, that adjoins a second fluorite project where the parties are also collaborating.
At the announcement of Tivan’s third project collaboration with Sumitomo Corporation, Tivan Executive Chairman Grant Wilson said the company remains committed to ‘further strengthening the important bilateral relationship between Australia and Japan.’
‘With our firmwide capabilities rapidly expanding, and with our strong relationships with local stakeholders, Tivan is ideally positioned to develop a high-value critical minerals precinct in central Australia in the years ahead,’ he added.
Joint venture to develop Australia’s first fluorite mining and processing operation
Sumitomo is one of the world’s largest general trading and investment enterprises, with interests across metals, real estate, media, food, energy and electrical manufacturing.
When Sumitomo Corporation started looking to diversify its critical minerals supply chains, Australia was on its radar. Austrade supported the company with market information and opportunities to learn more about Australia’s critical minerals sector and capabilities.
In June 2024, Sumitomo Corporation and Tivan announced a first memorandum of understanding, framed as a strategic alliance. In July 2025, Sumitomo Corporation and Tivan announced they had formally established a joint venture to develop, finance and operate the Speewah Fluorite Project.
The Speewah Fluorite Project is one of 6 projects highlighted by the Australian and Japanese governments as strategically important to the diversification of global supply chains. The project aims to produce acid-grade fluorite, a key raw material for hydrofluoric acid used in semiconductors, electric vehicles and other advanced applications.
The Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) is a strategic equity partner in the Speewah Fluorite Project, highlighting its importance to Japan’s supply chains. JOGMEC is an incorporated Japanese Government agency charged with securing a stable supply of energy and mineral resources to strengthen Japan’s industrial base. JOGMEC’s involvement means Tivan has secured 2 of Japan’s most respected organisations as strategic equity partners in the project.
Tivan has also received a non-binding and conditional Letter of Support from Export Finance Australia for the project. The company has also progressed within the due diligence framework of the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility for debt financing.
‘The pathway we have created to Final Investment Decision is being funded by contributions from Tivan and Sumitomo Corporation, and the governments of Australia and Japan,’ says Tivan Executive Chairman Grant Wilson.
‘This model of private-public risk sharing is optimal in its design for the Speewah Fluorite Project and reflects the enduring strength of the bilateral relationship between Australia and Japan.’
Sumitomo Corporation and Tivan have established a joint venture to develop, finance and operate the Speewah Fluorite Project.
MOUs to develop adjoining critical minerals projects
Sumitomo Corporation has also signed agreements with Tivan to collaborate on the development, financing, operation and distribution of product from 2 adjoining critical minerals projects in the Northern Territory.
One of these is the Sandover Fluorite Project, located northeast of Alice Springs. Tivan’s surface mapping and sampling activities have identified multiple fluorite-rich reefs across an extensive project area, with 6,000 metres of drilling confirming high-grade mineralisation below surface.
The second is the Molyhil Tungsten-Molybdenum Project, located 8 kilometres from the Sandover Fluorite Project. Tivan is advancing plans for a mining and processing operation producing tungsten scheelite concentrate and molybdenite concentrate.
In June 2026, Tivan signed separate Key Terms Memorandum of Understanding with Sumitomo Corporation and ETFS Capital. These establish a framework to negotiate long-form agreements covering the planned development, financing, operation and marketing of Molyhil, including up to A$50 million of potential stage-gated equity investment.
Concurrently, Tivan signed a first-of-kind collaboration agreement with Aboriginal Investment NT, to facilitate the participation of First Nations communities, including small businesses, in the project development pathway.
Australia’s critical minerals opportunities
Building a resilient critical minerals industry that can contribute to global supply chains is a priority for the Australian Government under its Future Made in Australia agenda. Foreign capital and capability will be essential in meeting this goal.
Australia offers strong investment opportunities across mining and midstream processing. The latest Australian Critical Minerals Prospectus showcases 94 investment-ready projects, comprising 58 upstream and 36 midstream projects.
Find out why Australia is made for critical minerals investment.
How Austrade can help
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