Diggers & Dealers 2024: Kim Beazley ties mining and military together; highlights competition with China in Africa

After a Welcome to Country from Wongutha Man Linden Brownley on the power of unity – which featured an opening song in which his mother was included on-stage – Forum Chairman Jim walker welcomed in Diggers & Dealers 2024.

Jim Walker talked up mining’s contribution to jobs and GDP the result of ancient mineral deposits spanning across WA.

Kim Beazley AC (a former politician) took to the stage following Walker’s invitation – and the discussion took, perhaps, a surprising turn.

Beazley’s speech culminated with his belief the Australian government should buy rare earth processed materials in offtake deals, the same way that China does, so we can break the Red Dragon’s downstream monopoly on REE supply, and, Asia region metals pricing.

But the former leader of the opposition spent more time talking about defence, at first. He described WA as the Australian state perhaps most vulnerable to attacking.

He also called WA the “AUKUS” state and mentioned the need for its defence – a nod of the hat to securing critical mineral resource deposits.

Beazley also pointed out to Peter Dutton sitting in the crowd right after bringing up a possible invasion (presumably from China, which he called “a capability in the region.”)

The former Governor of WA also described repeated visits from NASA during his tenure given how badly they want mining-related automation technology already at use in the Pilbara.

Kim Beazley’s speech then swapped to Africa. He implored African governments to allow Australian mining companies to operate in their countries over Chinese mining companies.

Beazley asserted that Australian mining companies operate in Africa “with decency,” and that Australian projects would export African ores to African countries for African people.

“We need to do infinitely more processing,” he also added, referencing a domestic downstream capacity – before returning to defence to underscore Australia’s need for nuclear submarines.

Also on his mind was rare earths, given they’re needed in missiles and China produces all the downstream products.

If you wanted some mining industry goss: he also described Lynas Rare Earths as being kept running by “the Japanese.” He also refused to make any comments about WA Premier Roger Cook’s uranium policy.