CRITICAL MINERALS TO SOVEREIGN CAPABILITY
South Australia’s Strategic Role in Copper, Steel, Defence, Processing and Supply Chain Resilience
Featuring Lawrence Ben MP
Assistant Minister for Copper, Steel, Critical Metals and Minerals
Member for Enfield
Tuesday, 8 September 2026
Adelaide, South Australia
Time and venue to be confirmed
Event Overview
Critical minerals are increasingly central to economic security, defence capability, advanced manufacturing, energy systems, digital infrastructure and international supply chain resilience.
However, possessing mineral resources does not automatically create sovereign capability.
The strategic challenge is to convert geological resources into reliable exploration, extraction, processing, refining, manufacturing, infrastructure, workforce capability and secure domestic and allied supply chains.
Critical Minerals to Sovereign Capability will examine South Australia’s role across this complete capability chain.
The discussion will move beyond resource potential alone to consider how copper, steel, critical metals and minerals can support industrial development, defence capability, advanced processing, regional employment, infrastructure investment and long-term economic resilience.
From Resources to Capability
Sovereign capability depends on more than the location of a mineral deposit.
It requires connected capability across:
Exploration and resource definition
Project approvals and investment
Mining and extraction
Processing and refining
Energy and water availability
Transport, ports and logistics
Industrial infrastructure
Technology and intellectual property
Workforce and specialist skills
Manufacturing and end use
Australian ownership and control
Secure domestic and allied supply arrangements
Operational continuity and recovery capacity
This event will consider where South Australia is already strong, where capability gaps remain and what is required to convert opportunity into durable industrial capacity.
Key Discussion Areas
The event will examine:
South Australia’s copper, steel and critical minerals opportunity
The transition from resource extraction to sovereign capability
Domestic processing and value-adding
Whyalla’s role in steel and industrial capability
Port Pirie’s role in metals processing
Critical minerals for defence and advanced technologies
Energy, water, transport and port dependencies
Investment barriers and project development
Workforce, engineering and technical skills
Research translation and commercialisation
Supply chain concentration and international dependency
Partnerships with Australia’s strategic allies
Domestic procurement and offtake arrangements
Continuity, redundancy, substitution and recovery
Regional economic development and employment
Infrastructure required to support new projects
Sovereign control of strategically important assets and capabilities
Featured Speaker
Lawrence Ben MP is South Australia’s Assistant Minister for Copper, Steel, Critical Metals and Minerals and the Member for Enfield.
His portfolio sits at the intersection of South Australia’s resources, industrial development, steel, metals processing and sovereign capability priorities.
Who Should Attend
This event is relevant to:
Mining and resources companies
Critical minerals project proponents
Steel and metals businesses
Processing and manufacturing companies
Defence industry organisations
Energy and infrastructure providers
Ports, freight and logistics operators
Investors, financiers and advisers
Universities and research organisations
Engineering and technology companies
Government and regulatory agencies
Workforce and skills organisations
Industry associations
Supply chain and procurement professionals
Risk, resilience and business continuity leaders
Regional development organisations
Event Format
The event is proposed to include:
Opening remarks from C4R - CENTRE FOR RESILIENCE
Address by Lawrence Ben MP
Industry and capability panel discussion
Moderated questions and answers
Audience discussion
Professional networking
Registration
Places will be limited.
Register to receive the confirmed venue, event time, programme and speaker information.