Demand for critical minerals – essential for high tech, energy and defence applications – is high, yet production is concentrated in a limited number of countries, leaving supply chains vulnerable to disruption and price volatility. Recent geopolitical developments, including the Iran conflict and Chinese export restrictions, have underscored these risks and the strategic importance of diversifying supply. In response, governments are stepping up policy and financial support for critical minerals investment, recognising that market economics often render these capital-intensive projects unviable without public intervention. In this briefing, we explore the different government policies and initiatives for financing critical minerals projects in key jurisdictions.