Featured in Winter Edition – Gold standard – 12-2023

Australia’s battery balancing act

Australia is geologically equipped to become a battery critical-minerals hub but the nation is stumbling upon sticky structural issues. Sensitive diplomatic and trade ties, delicate forests and ecosystems, and a devotion to free markets and small government are among the major hurdles, writes Bella Peacock.

By

Bella Peacock

05 Dec 2023

Australia’s first commercial lithium hydroxide plants started production in 2022. | Photo: Albemarle

In October, China restricted the export of graphite products – a key ingredient in lithium batteries. The move built on an embargo of critical materials gallium and germanium that was introduced in August. China’s domination of critical minerals supply is well known and the country’s “willingness to employ export restrictions on critical minerals as a …

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