France is keen on investing in Australia's critical minerals projects, with a focus on securing rare earths and other essential minerals, as countries around the world compete for access.

France is "more and more keen" on investing in Australian critical minerals projects, Australia's Resources Minister Madeleine King said Thursday, as countries across the world race to secure access to rare earths and other much-needed minerals. Canberra is hunting for billions in foreign investment in mining and processing projects in the hope of reaping high rewards from critical minerals exports.