Uranium and key rechargeable battery metals lithium and cobalt are on a final list of 35 critical minerals that the US deems essential to national security.
Despite mining contributing about 6 per cent of the country's GDP, a study revealed that almost six out of 10 of young Australians know nothing at all about mining careers.
Namibia may scrap requirements for black ownership in mining as it seeks to woo investors to an industry that is rebounding with the commodities cycle.