About CMA Australia
The Critical Minerals Association Australia (CMAA) aims to amplify the voice of its members to build a profitable, sustainable and globally recognised critical minerals industry.
The CMAA is a member-driven organisation that is committed to putting Australian sovereign critical minerals interests first and helping its members to navigate international supply chains and geopolitical complexities.
Our core aims:
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Catalyse sovereign Australian processing and refining
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Drive environmental, social and governance leadership
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Transform understanding of critical minerals supply chains and their role in daily lives
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Dismantle barriers to accessing finance
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Position Australia as a responsible and competitive partner on the International stage
Leadership
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Namali Mackay
Founder & Managing Director
Most recently Namali led on the critical minerals agenda for the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) in London where she worked with UK and Australian critical minerals stakeholders, on behalf of the Australian Government. Following Brexit, Namali was the Trade Advisor to Make UK (the UK’s largest manufacturing industry body) where she worked with UK manufacturers on supply chain and trade strategies for Brexit- readiness.
Namali is a former Australian diplomat and trade negotiator, covering the trade, industry, resource and climate portfolios during her posting at the Australian High Commission in London. After her posting, Namali was appointed Group Head of International Relations at Prudential in London where she managed the Group's trade and international agenda across the ASEAN region.
Jeff Townsend
Founder & Director
Jeff is an internationally recognised leading voice on critical minerals. He has committed the past five years to promoting the critical minerals industry and founding a network of Critical Minerals Associations in Australia, the UK, and the USA.
Jeff is an experienced public affairs and campaign strategist who has worked in the highest levels of business and politics. He brings skills in lobbying, public and government affairs, campaign development and communications. He is well connected with political arenas in the UK, EU, Middle East, and Africa.
He is also the Founder and CEO of the Critical Minerals International Alliance, co-founder of Critical Productions, Advisory Board Member of the Materials Processing Institute, and member of the UK’s Department for Business and Trade Critical Minerals Taskforce. Prior to starting the CMAs he served as Director of Aspect Consulting.
Olimpia Pilch
Founder & Senior Advisor
Olimpia is an exploration geologist by training having graduated from Durham University and Camborne School of Mines. Olimpia has co-authored thought leadership reports that influenced the creation of the UK’s critical minerals list and subsequent strategies.
She continues to advocate on the industry’s behalf internationally, speaking at and representing the industry at events, focusing on creating bridges between the upstream and downstream sectors of producer and consumer nations.
Olimpia also a Co-founder and COO at the Critical Minerals International Alliance and Co-founder and Director of the CMA USA.
Advisory Board
The CMA Australia Advisory Board comprises representatives of our Founding Members.
Phil Baker
Principal, Senior Executive Advisor
Roland Hill
Managing Director
FYI Resources
Debra Watson
Managing Director
Satarla Australia
Michael McCann
Managing Director
Lava Blue
