R&D Collaboration: Hub delegation strengthens critical mineral ties with Korea

Stronger together on minerals 

Supporting strategic international critical minerals collaboration is one of the quintessential reasons for the creation of the Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub. This objective focuses on promoting technical collaboration among Australia and like-minded countries, needed to support mutual strategic interests. Enhancing research, development and scientific cooperation is one of the goals of the Australia and the Republic of Korea Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Critical Minerals Supply Chains, which was signed in April 2022.    

Korea is a resource-constrained country with a mature electric vehicle (EV) industry that relies heavily on critical mineral imports, whilst maintaining a focus on minimising transport costs and CO2 emissions. They are also leading innovative research in critical minerals recycling, an area of significant interest to Australian industry. 

As Korea looks to secure resilient and responsible supply chains for its advanced manufacturing and clean energy industries, Australia stands out as a key partner – not just as a reliable source of critical minerals, but as a growing hub of processing expertise. 

Through world-class research and emerging mid-stream capabilities, Australia is increasingly able to supply battery-ready materials, reducing Korea’s dependence on overseas processing.  

By facilitating direct connections between Australian researchers and Korean industry, the delegation sowed the seeds for practical collaboration – potentially opening the door to joint ventures, co-investment, and technology partnerships that could strengthen the critical minerals value chain across both nations. 

Partnerships strengthened in Perth 

The Hub has had several past engagements with Korea, recently sponsoring the Australia-Korea/KIGAM Joint Symposium in Perth in June, followed by a workshop the following day with a visiting Korean delegation. 

Following on from these, the Hub led a delegation of 12 Australian researchers to the Republic of Korea in late June to early July, funded by DISR’s International Engagement Grant This delegation gave researchers from CSIRO, ANSTO and 5 Australian universities the opportunity to build deep connections with Korean research agencies and universities, but also with big industry players across the supply chain. 

Carla’s key takeaways from Korea 

Carla Gonzalez Zlatar, R&D Hub International Engagement Manager, coordinated and designed the delegation program. She shared her top 4 reflections of the trip after returning to home soil. 

1. Korean Government officials, industry and research agencies all agree electrification / batteries /energy storage systems are critical to the future of Korea (and the world), and it can be achieved by creating international partnerships, such as the one with Australia.
   
   
2. The delegation gained a deep understanding of Korea’s critical minerals R&D system, its industry, and potential areas of R&D collaboration with Australia. Of particular interest were our visits with industry: Korea Zinc, POSCO, KSM, Seoul National University, Hanyang University, and the Korea Battery Association.
   

   

3. The delegation, particularly the presentations at the MTN Future Industry Forum, helped Korean participants recognise that Australia is more than just a supplier of minerals and has the capability and potential to be a trusted supplier of responsibly sourced materials and value-added products.
   

   

4. Korea-Australia collaboration could secure critical minerals supply chains by integrating Australia’s up-stream capabilities and Korea’s manufacturing industries. The Hub is well placed to increase R&D collaboration between the countries. 

The delegation has had overwhelming positive feedback on the Hub’s organisation of this delegation, with the groundwork being laid to continue to build connection and collaboration opportunities through direct R&D projects and the Hub support.

In fact, many of our delegates are already planning to go back to Korea to continue collaboration seeded during the trip, under the sponsorship of the R&D Hub International Scholarships.