Australia Seen as Key Contributor to ‘Quad’ Group’s Strong Critical Minerals Focus

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (“Quad”) diplomatic partnership that includes the USA, Japan and India has identified Australia’s critical minerals riches and expertise as a key to security in the region.

Despite the turmoil in global lithium markets, analysts estimate that Australian lithium mine output has increased by 60,000 tonnes of lithium carbon equivalent (15% year-on-year) in the 12 months to March 2025 on a recoverable lithium basis.

Australia’s economic inventories also increased for platinum group elements (up 30%), graphite (up 27%), lithium (up 20%), niobium and vanadium (both up 18%), manganese ore (up 16%), high-purity alumina (up 14%), molybdenum, rare earths and tantalum (all up 10%), rutile (up 6%) and bauxite (up 5%).

Australia a Key Supplier

Australia is considered a key supplier to the global critical minerals market, with Federal Resources Minister Madeleine King noting numerous times that the “road to net zero runs through Australia’s critical minerals sector”.

The country possesses abundant reserves of and is a major producer of many critical minerals including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements.

According to Geoscience Australia, the local resources industry has responded to increased demand for critical minerals with additional exploration and resource definition.

Supply Chain Concerns

After meeting with her counterparts from the USA, Japan and India, Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said the group was deeply concerned about the abrupt constriction and future reliability of key supply chains, specifically for critical minerals.

“This includes the use of non-market policies and practices for critical minerals, certain derivative products, and mineral processing technology,” Ms Wong said.

“We underscore the importance of diversified and reliable global supply chains—reliance on any one country for processing and refining critical minerals and derivative goods production exposes our industries to economic coercion, price manipulation, and supply chain disruptions, which further harms our economic and national security.”