Chinese firms have already invested in lithium hydroxide refineries in Western Australia.

The government will set up a new international program to attract investment linked to markets in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, Korea, India and the European Union.

Lynas is racing to complete construction of the plant to handle cracking and leaching.

Grand Inga would be the largest single source of renewable energy globally, with about double the capacity of China’s Three Gorges Dam.

Japan's Idemitsu Kosan Co has increased its stake in Australian Delta Lithium Limited (DLI) to 15%.