Donald Trump and Anthony Albanese have inked a deal for "critical mineral and energy dominance" in a new partnership that will tip billions into mining projects in the US and Australia.

Under the Critical Mineral Framework mining companies will be able to apply for financing for projects that would produce minerals needed for weapons, electronics, renewable technologies and more.

Alongside the framework, the leaders announced financing from Australia and the US War Department for the first project under the scheme — the development of a gallium refinery in Western Australia under Alcoa-Sojitz.

That refinery is expected to produce about 100 tonnes of gallium a year.

With global demand for the computer chip material being about 700 to 750 tonnes, the move will significantly shift depende

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