HISTORIC US INVESTMENT IN AUSTRALIAN CRITICAL MINERALS ANNOUNCED
September 25, 2025
RZ Resources has secured historic financing from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) – marking the first time an Australian critical minerals company has received backing from the prestigious US government agency.
The breakthrough deal also marks the first time in more than a decade that an Australian project has received financing from EXIM, the United States government agency which aids financing to facilitate trade between the US and other countries. The last time EXIM approved financing to an Australian project was for the Roy Hill iron ore project in 2013. This support demonstrates unprecedented US confidence in Australia’s ability to help break China’s dominance in critical mineral supply chains.
The approval marks a financial and strategic milestone, providing the technical and financial foundation to accelerate the Copi Mine’s path to production and highlights the prioritisation of projects that expand US mineral security, de-risk allied supply chains and reinforce American industrial capacity.
The deal with EXIM is the start of a long-term partnership and a major vote of confidence in the Australian project, demonstrating the strong relationship between Australia and the United States. The financing will help advance engineering work on RZ Resources’ globally significant Copi Project, which is estimated to be in production by 2028.
The project, along with RZ’s Mineral Separation Plant — the only major processing facility on Australia’s east coast — will position Australia as a key supplier of rare earths, titanium, and zircon to the United States and allied nations. These minerals are vital for modern industries, supporting everything from renewable energy to national security. The plant enables direct export of finished products to allied nations without requiring further processing in other countries like China.
Building on this milestone, RZ Resources is also advancing strategic partnerships beyond the United States. RZ recently secured a strategic Japanese joint venture partner, JX Advanced Metals Corporation, and is working closely with JX and other Japanese corporations and the Japanese Government to ensure the supply of critical minerals to Japan as well.
Additionally, RZ is pursuing complementary financing discussions with others including Export Finance Australia (EFA) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC). Together, these efforts position the Copi Project at the centre of a rapidly developing US-Australia-Japan alliance to deliver critical minerals and secure global supply chains essential to future industries and allied national security.
RZ Resources Executive Chairman David Fraser said the collaboration cements a formal partnership with the US government and reflects the strategic alignment between Australia and the United States on critical minerals security.
“This funding is a powerful indication of how strategically significant this project is to both Australia and the United States,” Fraser said. “It reflects the depth of our shared commitment to strengthening supply chains, building sovereign capability, and deepening the partnership between our nations,” he said.
EXIM Acting First Vice President and Vice Chairman Jim Burrows said: “This milestone reflects EXIM’s commitment to strengthening supply chains with our closest allies. By supporting projects like RZ’s Copi Mine, we are advancing US economic and national security interests while reinforcing the deep partnership between the United States, Australia, and Japan. We are excited to continue this collaboration as we work together to secure critical minerals for the industries of the future.”
EXIM’s approved commitment (subject to formal documentation) was formally provided to RZ in Washington, DC on Monday 15 September 2025.
About the Copi Project
Located in far southwestern NSW, 75 km northwest of Wentworth, the Copi Project is one of the largest critical minerals deposits in the world. The project will produce rare earths (light and heavy), titanium feedstocks (rutile and leucoxene), premium zircon products, and rare earth element concentrate ready for downstream refining.
During operations, the project will contribute a 240-strong workforce and boost local spending by up to $97.63 million annually, while aligning with Australia’s Critical Minerals Strategy 2023-2030 and the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy.
The project’s strategic importance was recently highlighted at the 2025 Quad Leaders’ Summit, where RZ Resources was formally recognized as having a project of “global significance” for its potential to deliver critical minerals from Australia to the US, Japan, and India.