Critical minerals take centre stage in NSW this October
Critical minerals are in the spotlight in NSW this month, with the state government connecting local mining projects with overseas investors while offering financial and research support to develop the state's critical minerals industry, with new investment discussions taking place ahead of Sydney's International Mining and Resources Conference.
Six NSW mining companies have presented their critical minerals and high-tech metals projects to investors in India and South Korea as part of the NSW Government's efforts to attract international investment and develop the state's resources sector.
The targeted webinars, organised by NSW Resources in partnership with Austrade and Investment NSW, connected approximately 70 investors across the two countries with government representatives and NSW project proponents.
Five companies presented at each webinar, with six participating across the series. The projects covered minerals used in renewable energy technologies, advanced manufacturing and other industrial applications, including copper, rare earth elements, tin and tungsten.
The India webinar focused on copper, rare earths and tungsten, while the South Korean session covered a broader range of critical minerals and high-tech metals.
The presentations included Alkane Resources' Boda-Kaiser copper project, Aeris Resources' Tritton Copper Operations, Aurelia Metals' Cobar Basin Operations and LinQ Minerals' Gilmore copper-gold project.
Orbit Resources presented its Narraburra rare earth elements project, while Sky Metals introduced its Tallebung tin and tungsten project.
The projects range from early exploration to operating mines seeking expansion, reflecting the different stages of development across NSW's resources industry.
Building international investment connections
The webinars form part of the NSW Government's broader efforts to attract investment into mineral exploration, mining and processing.
According to NSW Resources, the state has identified resources or exploration potential for 21 of the 31 minerals on Australia's Critical Minerals List and four of the five minerals on the national Strategic Materials List.
The government is seeking to use this resource base to attract investment and develop supply chains serving renewable energy, electric vehicles and advanced technologies.
International investors participating in the webinars were encouraged to continue discussions with NSW companies at the NSW Government Critical Minerals Investment Showcase on 26 October.
The event precedes the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC), being held in Sydney from 27 to 29 October.
IMARC will bring together mining companies, investors, technology providers and government representatives, with NSW Resources and Austrade participating in the conference.
The NSW Government is using the events to promote investment opportunities and connect project proponents with potential international partners.
Financial support for emerging projects
Alongside its international investment activities, the NSW Government has introduced measures intended to help critical minerals projects progress towards production.
Its Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy 2024–2035 identifies opportunities across exploration, mining, processing, recycling and advanced manufacturing.
The strategy estimates that new critical minerals projects could attract more than $7.6 billion in capital investment and support more than 2,700 ongoing jobs and 4,600 construction jobs in regional NSW, if the projects proceed.
One of the government's measures is the Critical Minerals Royalty Deferral Scheme, which commenced on 1 July 2025.
The scheme provides for up to $250 million in deferred royalty payments to help eligible projects manage costs during their early years of production.
Companies can apply to defer royalty payments for up to five years, provided their projects meet eligibility requirements, including commencing production before 30 June 2030.
The scheme applies to projects primarily recovering minerals on the Commonwealth Critical Minerals List, with a market capitalisation below $5 billion.
It does not apply to projects recovering only copper or gold, despite both metals being among those promoted through the government's international investment activities.
Deferred royalties remain payable, with interest applied to outstanding amounts.
The government intends the arrangement to improve early project cashflow and make it easier for companies to secure financing and progress towards production.
Supporting research and processing technology
The government's industry development program also includes support for technologies that could enable more mineral processing and advanced materials production within NSW.
The $4 million Critical Minerals Processing and Advanced Materials Innovation Program is being delivered by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist and Engineer.
The two-phase program supports the development and commercialisation of downstream critical minerals processing technologies and advanced materials derived from critical minerals.
Applications for its first proof-of-concept phase opened on 7 August and closed on 18 September 2026.
The program forms part of the government's efforts to develop industrial capability beyond mineral extraction, including technologies that could support local processing and manufacturing.
Developing NSW's minerals industry
The NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy identifies five priority minerals and metals: rare earth elements, scandium, copper, silver and cobalt.
Its measures include encouraging exploration, supporting production, developing supply chains and strengthening workforce skills in regional communities.
The strategy also identifies community engagement and responsible resource development as priorities for the sector.
Through its international investment webinars, financial support programs and industry partnerships, the government is seeking to move more NSW mineral projects from exploration and development towards commercial production.
The October investment events provide another opportunity for NSW companies to present their projects to potential financiers and establish relationships with international customers and industry partners.
