The NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy 2024–2035, launched on 18 October 2024, sets out the NSW Government’s vision to drive global investment and growth of the critical minerals and high-tech metals sector.
The strategy addresses the demand for almost all metallic minerals due to global investment in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and other advanced technologies. As a result, NSW stands to benefit from capital investment of more than $7.6 billion, more than 2,700 ongoing jobs, and 4,600 construction jobs in regional NSW, enabling a healthy stream of royalties if new critical minerals projects can get off the ground.
The strategy sets out a clear vision for NSW to be a leader in critical minerals and high-tech metals, generating economic prosperity through responsible exploration, mining, processing, recycling, and advanced manufacturing.
Key features of the new strategy include actions for:
• Encouraging exploration
• Incentivising production
• Establishing supply chains
• Developing future-ready skills in local communities
• Engaging communities