Minister for Resources and Northern Australia Madeleine King will visit Canada and the United States from March 3 to 8 to attend a global mining conference and hold high-level talks on the critical minerals needed to support low-emissions technologies.

Minister King will attend the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in Toronto and attend the 7th Annual International Mines Ministers Summit. Both events are an important setting for the global mining community to explore challenges and opportunities affecting the minerals industry.

Minister King will meet with her counterpart, Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson to discuss supply chain transparency and promote market recognition of high environmental, social and governance standards, as well as better and safer working conditions.

In Washington DC, Minister King will co-chair the Principals Meeting of the Critical Minerals Taskforce alongside Senior Adviser to the President for Energy and Investment, Amos Hochstein. She will also have talks with senior officials in other Departments across the Administration.

“Australia, Canada and the United States have a shared commitment to market transparency and diverse supply chains for critical minerals, and a shared interest in promoting recognition of the high environmental, social and governance standards in our respective resources sectors,” Minister King said.

“My talks in Canada and the United States will also discuss disruptions in global markets, and any opportunities to address market uncertainties.

“It is of vital importance to the Australian resources and mineral processing industry that international pricing reflects the high ESG standards and commitment to sound workplace safety and worker conditions that all countries should aspire to.

“Consumers and investors around the world, seeking to reduce their carbon footprint and invest in green technology should have the opportunity to know their choices don’t sacrifice high environmental, social and governance standards.

“The prices paid for our minerals need to recognise that Australian workers enjoy the best conditions and the highest safety standards.

“The road to net zero runs through Australia’s resources sector.”

Geoscience Australia works closely with the US Geological Survey and is in a three-way agreement with the US and Canada on the Critical Minerals Mapping Initiative.