South Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) discussed potential cooperation in critical minerals and energy infrastructure during a high level meeting in Adelaide.
ASEAN Secretary General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn met South Australian Treasurer and Minister for Energy and Mining Tom Koutsantonis on the sidelines of the Australia ASEAN Business Forum 2026. The talks covered critical minerals, renewable energy integration, energy storage, grid planning and the proposed ASEAN Power Grid.
The meeting focused on areas where cooperation could develop, but it did not result in a formal agreement. Neither side identified prospective mining projects, specific commodities, funding commitments or a timetable for further work.
Energy And Minerals Cooperation Under Discussion
The discussions placed critical minerals within a broader conversation around energy infrastructure, renewable power and regional cooperation. The ASEAN Secretariat said Dr. Kao welcomed South Australia’s experience in operating an electricity system with a high proportion of renewable energy and looked forward to continued engagement under existing ASEAN Australia cooperation arrangements.
The main areas discussed included:
- Critical minerals cooperation
- Renewable energy integration
- Energy storage
- Grid planning
- The proposed ASEAN Power Grid
Dr. Kao also addressed the Australia ASEAN Energy Leadership Dialogue during the forum. The session examined energy security, critical minerals investment, resilient supply chains and the development of projects capable of attracting financing. The discussions therefore connected minerals with wider energy and infrastructure priorities rather than outlining a specific mining investment or development.
The talks also coincide with ASEAN’s Minerals Cooperation Action Plan for 2026 to 2030, which seeks to support sustainable extractive industries and expand cooperation across upstream and downstream minerals and metals supply chains.
Broader Framework Shapes Future Engagement
South Australia brings an established mining base to the wider discussions, with operating copper, gold, iron ore and uranium mines as well as undeveloped critical mineral projects. However, neither source links these assets to a new ASEAN initiative or identifies a specific project resulting from the meeting.
The wider cooperation context includes:
- The meeting was held during the Australia ASEAN Business Forum 2026
- Continued engagement is expected under existing ASEAN Australia cooperation arrangements
- ASEAN’s Minerals Cooperation Action Plan covers 2026 to 2030
- The plan addresses upstream and downstream minerals and metals supply chains
- South Australia has operating mines and undeveloped mineral projects
For ASEAN, the discussions provide a platform for continued dialogue on critical minerals, energy systems and resilient supply chains with South Australia. For South Australia, the engagement brings its renewable energy and mining experience into broader Australia ASEAN cooperation.
The meeting did not establish a new transaction, mining project or funding commitment, but it advanced discussions around potential cooperation in critical minerals and energy infrastructure under existing ASEAN Australia frameworks.