In an announcement to the ASX, Critica Limited (formerly Venture Minerals) has disclosed that 75% of its revenue from the proposed Mt Lindsay mine would be from tungsten it hopes to supply to US military supply chains. China, which produces 80% of the globe’s tungsten, is restricting supply, and the US military has been actively pursuing sources of tungsten. Earlier this year, Critica Limited joined the US Department of Defence-backed Defence Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC), an initiative to facilitate US military access to resources.

“Mount Lindsay in Takayna is a recognised World Heritage value landscape at the southern end of Australia’s largest temperate rainforest. It is home to multiple threatened species like Tasmanian Masked Owl, Spotted-tailed Quoll and Tasmanian Devil, and borders ancient groves of Huon Pines exceeding 2000 years old. It sits in the Meredith Range Regional Reserve, and the public expects that this area is protected, not shopped out to mining profiteers,” said Bob Brown Foundation Takayna campaigner Scott Jordan.

“Let’s make no mistake, the cost of this mining Mt Lindsay is its wildlife and ancient forests, but the product of this mine is war.”

“Tungsten from Mt Lindsay is destined to make its way to the bombs and munitions that facilitate global uncertainty and undermine efforts at peace. The loss of our rainforests will be mirrored in the loss of human life it facilitates.”

Critica recently received $300,000 from the Albanese Government’s Trailblazer initiative.

“Our governments should rule out any support or approvals for this project and seek real protection of Takayna. As we have in the past, we will join with the community to peacefully resist any attempts to mine Mt Lindsay,” said Scott Jordan.