National resource assessments

National resource assessments will underpin Australia’s resources future and support effective decision-making. Assessments will evaluate the potential for critical minerals, (including rare earth elements), strategic materials, groundwater, natural hydrogen, geological storage of hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and suitability for offshore renewable energy infrastructure.

Minerals

We will develop a national prospectus of Australia’s geological and economic potential for the responsible supply of critical minerals and strategic materials. This includes underexplored regions, existing deposits, and re-mining opportunities.

As part of the Resourcing Australia’s Prosperity initiative, Geoscience Australia will deliver national mineral potential assessments for all 36 critical minerals and strategic materials. Rare earth elements, copper, nickel, cobalt, and battery minerals have been identified as the initial priority commodities for the first 10 years of the initiative.

These commodities are significant for clean energy generation, transmission and storage, which are priority technologies in the national interest with significant forecast increases in global demand. We will assess and deliver one or more mineral system potential maps for each commodity, which may present opportunities for further development.

Major release:

• 2026–2034 – assessments of rare earth elements, copper, cobalt and priority battery minerals

Geological storage

We will identify and map onshore and offshore opportunities for the underground storage of hydrogen and carbon dioxide.

Major releases:

• 2027 – national hydrogen hub storage assessment
• 2028 – national carbon dioxide storage resource atlas

Offshore renewable energy

We will map the stability and suitability of Australia’s seafloor for renewable energy.

Major release:

• 2034 – national seabed stability map

Groundwater

We will deliver assessments of Australia’s groundwater systems to support responsible groundwater use and management.

Major release:

• 2034 – national 3D groundwater map