Critical: Australia names its most important rare earths and minerals

Mixture of critical minerals (United States of America definition), or critical raw materials (European Union definition). Flatlay on slate background Source: iStockphoto / BJP7images/Getty Images

As the world's population becomes increasingly reliant on critical minerals to make technology from smart phones to car parts and even weapons, the resource has become a matter of national security. The Australian Government, announcing that it will prioritise several key critical minerals in the nation's 1.2 billion dollar strategic reserve.

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Published 14 January 2026 6:00pm

Updated 14 January 2026 6:47pm

By Camille Bianchi

Presented by Junko Hirabayashi

Source: SBS

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As the world's population becomes increasingly reliant on critical minerals to make technology from smart phones to car parts and even weapons, the resource has become a matter of national security. The Australian Government, announcing that it will prioritise several key critical minerals in the nation's 1.2 billion dollar strategic reserve.

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