Victoria is planning to dramatically accelerate approvals for critical minerals developments, with the government proposing a maximum 12-month assessment period for priority projects if Labor is returned at the next state election.
The proposal would establish a one-stop approval process covering departments and regulators involved in assessing mining developments.
The government estimates Victoria’s critical minerals industry could support as many as 7,000 jobs as demand grows for materials used in defence, renewable energy, electric vehicles and advanced electronics.
The state has deposits of antimony, rare earths, mineral sands and other strategically important commodities.
Antimony strategy expands
Victoria is already backing Australia’s first antimony processing facility with around A$20 million of government support.
Antimony is used in defence equipment, batteries, semiconductors and flame-resistant materials and has become strategically important as western governments seek to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains.
China remains dominant across the processing of many critical minerals, prompting Australia, the United States and other allies to direct public financing towards alternative producers.
Mining companies have repeatedly argued that lengthy Australian approval timelines undermine the country’s ability to respond quickly to higher commodity prices and government demand.
Environmental and community groups, however, will be watching closely to ensure faster approvals do not weaken assessment standards.
The proposed model attempts to address that tension by coordinating agencies rather than eliminating approvals.
If implemented successfully, it could also become a template for other states trying to accelerate critical minerals developments while international demand for secure non-Chinese supply continues to increase.
