Showcasing Australia’s role in the global critical minerals ecosystem
The global critical minerals opportunity
The global critical minerals sector is at a pivotal crossroads. As countries race to secure materials essential for clean energy, digital technologies, defence and advanced manufacturing, the demand for minerals like lithium, rare earths, and cobalt has never been more urgent, or more strategic.
At the same time, we are considering how to build supply chains that are reliable, as well as ethical and sustainable. This moment presents an opportunity to align global innovation, policy and investment in a way that shapes a secure future.
Australia has proven geological potential, mining expertise, supportive institutions and a history of innovation and high ESG standards and is well positioned to take advantage of anticipated increased demand. We need to leverage these comparative advantages when seeking to build secure supply chains with international partners.
Critical minerals is no longer a niche topic, it’s front and centre in international dialogue on climate, economic resilience and geopolitical stability.
The role of the Critical Minerals R&D Hub
In my role as Manager at the Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub, I’m excited about the role research and innovation can play in integrating Australian capabilities into global value chains, de-risking new technologies, and unlocking export markets.
Linking R&D ecosystems can sow the seeds of collaboration and create new opportunities with our international counterparts. These connections bring new technical expertise and varying perspectives that are essential to solving technical challenges, addressing bottlenecks and commercialising innovation.
A key component of the mission of the Hub is our international strategy, and the next significant program is our International Study Tour happening from 25 August to 5 September in Western Australia. The Tour is supported by the Department for Industry, Science and Resources $2.5m international grant, a program designed to supercharge critical minerals technology and strengthen international collaboration on critical minerals science.
The R&D Hub, hosted by CSIRO and together with science agencies ANSTO and Geoscience Australia, will lead an inbound delegation of 30 researchers and critical minerals sector experts from some our most significant partners, demonstrating Australia’s capabilities, showcasing our facilities, and working together to unpick the opportunities that exist between our countries.
Under this initiative, the Hub will be hosting senior researchers and critical minerals leaders from the UK, USA, Korea, India, France, Germany, Spain, Finland, Japan and Belgium.
Program highlights
The program will include briefings and engagements with CSIRO, ANSTO, GA, the Critical Minerals Office, the Western Australian Government, the Mineral Research Institute of Western Australia, and Murdoch and Curtin Universities, hearing from Australia’s industry leaders, Government officials and scientific experts.
The group will visit Kalgoorlie to be hosted by the Western Australia School of Mines (WASM) and undertake a full-day workshop designed to enable co-creation and collaborative strategy work across the participant group, presenting a unique opportunity to deepen relationships and understand individual strengths and interest areas.
The program also includes tours of lab facilities and mine sites to better understand our national operational excellence and innovation capability.
In the second week the group will attend the prestigious AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference, rubbing shoulders and networking with stakeholders from all areas of the sector and all parts of the value chain.
A closing ceremony dinner will allow an opportunity to reflect the learnings and connections and strengthen partnerships moving forward.
What we hope to achieve
At its heart, this study tour is about building enduring connections that transcend our borders. By bringing together senior research leaders from across nine countries, we’re creating a platform for open dialogue, mutual learning and strategic collaboration.
Our aim is to unlock new research partnerships, explore pathways for shared innovation and identify opportunities where we can collectively accelerate progress across the critical minerals value chain.
By showcasing Australia’s strengths, we can position Australia as a trusted global partner, leaving participants inspired by what is possible when research, industry and Government work together to shape the future of critical minerals.
Please follow along with us on our Study Tour by following the R&D Hub on LinkedIn, and for those attending the Tour use #CMRDHubTour2025 to share your experiences with us.
