Core Resources Chairman Jon Loraine joined ABC Radio Queensland to share his perspective on the recently announced partnership between the United States and Australia aimed at strengthening global critical minerals supply chains.

Jon described the agreement as a “clever framework” that addresses both sides of the critical minerals equation – supply and pricing. While much attention has focused on increasing production capacity, this deal also recognises the need for transparent, reliable market pricing, a key factor in attracting long-term investment.

He noted that the partnership represents a strategic move toward reducing reliance on opaque pricing systems and building a more competitive global market for minerals essential to renewable energy and advanced manufacturing.

The plan’s 2026 implementation timeline is ambitious, but Jon believes that ambition is necessary:

“We need to move quickly if we want to capture the opportunity and build a truly independent supply chain.”

He also highlighted Australia’s strong position, with world-class mineral resources and deep process engineering expertise already in place – but cautioned that success will depend on how effectively industry, government, and investors collaborate to turn frameworks into working projects.

The US-Australia critical minerals partnership represents more than a policy announcement – it’s an inflection point for the industry. As Jon said, it’s still early days, but it’s a smart, forward-looking move that could redefine how critical minerals are produced, priced, and traded globally.

Listen to the interview
Jon’s interview aired on ABC Radio Queensland and can be accessed here. Timestamp: 2:18:00 – 2:22:45.