Five things to know about Australia's critical minerals

Australia is pushing to lock in a critical minerals deal with the United States, dangling access to its vast reserves as an alternative to China.

China dominates the production of metals used in everything from solar panels to precision missiles -- and has threatened to strangle supplies as it fights a festering trade war with Washington.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese travels to the White House later this month, where officials are hopeful of striking a deal to send more critical minerals to the United States.

Here are five things you should know about Australia and critical minerals.

- Treasure trove -

Australia is blessed with bulging reserves of critical minerals.

Government figures show it is among the world's top five producers of lithium, cobalt and manganese -- us