South Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have discussed potential cooperation in critical minerals and energy infrastructure.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn met South Australian Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis in Adelaide on 30 September, on the sidelines of the Australia–ASEAN Business Forum.
The ASEAN Secretariat says the discussions covered critical minerals, renewable energy integration, energy storage, grid planning, and the proposed ASEAN Power Grid.
Kao welcomed South Australia’s experience operating an electricity system with a high proportion of renewable energy and indicated that engagement would continue under existing ASEAN–Australia cooperation arrangements.
The meeting did not result in a formal agreement, and neither party identified prospective mining projects, commodities, funding, or a timetable for further work.
Kao also addressed the Australia–ASEAN Energy Leadership Dialogue during the forum. The session examined energy security, critical minerals investment, resilient supply chains, and the development of projects capable of attracting financing.
The talks coincide with ASEAN’s Minerals Cooperation Action Plan for 2026–2030, which seeks to support sustainable extractive industries and expand cooperation across upstream and downstream minerals and metals supply chains.
ASEAN is a regional organisation comprising 11 Southeast Asian countries. South Australia hosts operating copper, gold, iron ore, and uranium mines, alongside undeveloped critical mineral projects.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Main image: Association of Southeast Asian Nations
