Utah Governor Spencer Cox used a leading Australian resources forum to champion the state’s mining strengths and spotlight this week’s critical minerals accord between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and President Donald Trump.
Filling the vacuum left by absent US federal officials, Cox addressed the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney, effectively acting as Washington’s stand-in during the shutdown.
“We did not know when we planned this six months ago that Prime Minister Albanese and President Donald Trump would be signing an historic agreement centred on critical minerals,” Governor Cox said. “We also did not know that there would be a government shutdown in the United States, meaning I am here representing not just the 3.5 million people in Utah, but 350 million people across the country.”
His appearance comes amid record international participation at IMARC 2025, underscoring the sector’s accelerating global momentum. More than 11,000 delegates registered, spanning global miners, Australian and overseas government officials, METS (mining, engineering and technology services) firms, venture capital and broader investment groups.
Innovation is the linchpin of mining
Cox framed innovation as the linchpin of mining’s role in the clean-energy transition. “The raw materials are very important, but raw materials are just that. They're raw, they're rocks, they're dirt, they're worthless until you apply the innovation to them.
“And we live in a time of miracles….we can solve the greatest problems that have faced humankind because of the innovation that exists now.”
Positioning Utah as an economic frontrunner, he pointed to the state’s leadership in U.S. business and GDP growth over the past decade, retaining the top spot again last year.
“The opportunities that exist in Utah are tremendous right now, and that agreement signed this week between Australia and the United States is going to unlock opportunities that we have never seen before.”
Cox cast Utah as a strategic hub for trade and investment. He said the state was known as “the crossroads of the West…and now we are becoming the crossroads of the world,” emphasising collaboration and shared prosperity with allies.
“We care deeply about our partnerships. We believe that trade is really important. We believe that we should treat our allies with dignity and respect and that when we work together, we can solve any problem.
“We must get out of this scarcity mindset and into an abundance mentality, that when we work together, we can solve the greatest problems that are facing our countries and facing humanity. We believe that we can do that, and we can do it with your help.”
Regulatory efficiency
Addressing regulatory efficiency, Cox said Utah is accelerating approvals on public lands and streamlining state processes. “Traditionally and with past administrations, it's been a little hard to do business on public lands that are owned by the federal government. That is changing. We've moved permitting on state lands from about 200 days down to about 45 days.”
“And I'm very proud to say this, we just had an approval on federal lands… in 28 days. We are open for business and we hope to see you in Utah soon,” he concluded to strong applause.