The Victorian government has launched its Critical Minerals Roadmap, positioning the state as a key supplier of strategic minerals.
The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) Victoria has welcomed the initiative, which aligns with industry-advocated policy priorities.
The roadmap focuses on streamlining development pathways, which is crucial for transforming mineral discoveries into operational mines that benefit Victorians.
This move addresses longstanding concerns about Victoria’s cumbersome and slow planning approvals process, which has historically left both communities and investors in uncertainty.
Key reforms include changes to the Environmental Effects Statement (EES) process and the retention of the Resources Victoria Approvals Coordination (RVAC) with a dedicated critical minerals component.
These measures aim to expedite approvals for investors, signalling Victoria’s openness to investment.
The RVAC model is considered Australia’s leading approach for guiding mining projects through complex multi-regulator permitting processes.
The roadmap also includes a long-awaited review of licensing arrangements and Section 7 ‘no go’ exploration area declarations, promising a more transparent and equitable system.
Emphasising skills development, the roadmap complements industry efforts to establish training pathways in regional areas and promote earth sciences in secondary schools, ensuring a steady pipeline of local talent for future industry jobs.
Victoria’s strategic position is underscored by its location within the Murray Basin, home to the world’s largest known deposits of rare earth-rich mineral sands.
The state also hosts Australia’s only antimony mine, which is crucial for defence and battery technologies.
As global demand for rare earths, antimony, and other critical minerals grows, Victoria is poised to capitalise on these opportunities.
The expansion of a sustainable minerals industry is expected to benefit all Victorians, particularly in regional areas, by supporting more diverse local economies.
