Australia Mulls US Deal, $777 Million Rare-Earth Fund, Age Says

Australia is considering setting minimum prices for critical minerals and investing in new rare-earth projects as part of a potential resources deal with the US, the Age reported Sunday.

The government has begun talks with miners about contributing to a A$1.2 billion ($777 million) strategic minerals reserve, the newspaper said, citing a leaked departmental brief circulated in recent weeks. The proposal under consideration includes possible price floors, government-backed loans, offtake guarantees and direct investment in Australian projects to bolster local producers.