The Victorian Government's Critical Minerals Roadmap puts Victoria firmly on the map as a supplier of strategic minerals.
MCA Victoria is pleased the roadmap commits to minerals industry policy priorities advocated by the MCA.
The focus on clearer and more certain pathways to development is crucial to ensuring Victoria can turn minerals discoveries into mines to benefit Victorians.
Victoria's planning approvals process is cumbersome and far too slow which leaves communities and investors in limbo.
Reforms to the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process, and the retention of the Resources Victoria Approvals Coordination (RVAC) with a devoted critical minerals element will ensure more certain and timely approvals for investors. This sends a strong signal that Victoria is open to investment. Victoria's RVAC is the leading Australian model to shepherd mining projects through complex permitting across multiple regulators.
The roadmap's review of licencing arrangements and section 7 'no go' exploration area declarations is long overdue. A more transparent processes will ensure a fairer system.
A clear focus on jobs and skills pathways complements the industry's work on training pathways in regional areas and promote earth sciences at secondary school to secure a pipeline of Victorians for future industry jobs.
The longer-term ambition on processing and research and development builds on Victoria's strengths in advanced manufacturing and education to position Victoria for skilled jobs in mining operations in the regions.
Victoria sits in the world's largest known deposits of rare earths rich mineral sands in the Murray Basin, and Victoria hosts Australia's only antimony mine - a critical mineral essential to defence and battery technology.
Demand for our rare earths, antinomy and other critical minerals is set to grow as essential inputs to modern technology. Victoria must seize the opportunity.
A growing and sustainable minerals industry is good for all Victorians, particularly for regional Victoria by supporting more economically diverse regional economies.
