Unearthing global collaboration: Participant reflections from the R&D Hub International Study Tour

Laying the groundwork 

From 29 August to 5 September, 29 researchers from nine countries converged on Western Australia to participate in the CSIRO-hosted Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub International Study Tour. 

The objectives of the Tour were simple: demonstrate Australia’s capabilities, showcase our facilities, and work together to unpick the opportunities that exist between Australia and the participants’ home countries, who are significant strategic partners to us. 

Following an intensive program packed with briefings, tours, lab visits, meetings, presentations, workshops and concluding with the Critical Minerals Conference in Perth, we checked in with 3 participants on their experience at the Study Tour. 

Dr. Jonas Kloeckner
Postdoctoral Researcher, Stanford Mineral-X
United States of America 

For Dr. Kloeckner, the Study Tour stood out from other conferences because of the true collaboration and connection opportunities. 

“This two-week format enabled deep conversations about technological trends, strengths, and gaps across disciplines and countries,” Dr. Kloeckner said. 

“From the co-creation workshop at WA School of Mines to the lab and site visits, the human dimension of critical minerals – trust, shared purpose, and problem solving – was a standout.” 

Dr. Kloeckner also reflected on how his learnings from the study Tour – including how the Hub partner agencies work and Australia’s commitment to building sovereign capability – would impact his own work, stating that the Tour ‘sharpened Stanford Mineral-X’s roadmap’, with intentions to incorporate Australian datasets and standards into their models, accelerating discovery and improving decision-support tools and collaboration research.  

From the Tour came tangible opportunities for further collaboration. 

“Notably, we initiated discussions with Curtin University’s WA School of Mines on AI-driven decision-making for critical minerals and identified complementary opportunities with CSIRO on data science and AI with Geoscience Australia on data integration – as well as potential pathways for joint proposals.” 

Amidst the opportunity and collaboration, Dr. Kloeckner acknowledged the most valuable outcome from his perspective was the formation of long-term, trusted relationships. 

“High-level agreements often begin with these technical, person-to-person connections, built through shared work and mutual recognition of expertise.” 

Arundhati Jena
PhD Student, IIT Kharagpur
India 

Arundhati Jena attended the Hub Study Tour and was awarded a research scholarship as part of the CSIRO-led India Australian Critical Minerals Research Partnership – Scholar Network to investigate graphite recovery from spent Li-ion batteries.  

Arundhati says the experience and learnings from the Study Tour will enrich her ongoing research. 

“This experience has given me a better understanding of the global supply chain of critical minerals,” Arundhati said. 

“The insights into policy frameworks and industry practices will help me align my work more closely with practical challenges and potential solutions for sustainable mineral use.” 

For Arundhati, and for many other participants, the highlight of the Tour, was the immersive workshop on critical minerals that took place at WA School of Mines in Kalgoorlie. 

“Being divided into groups allowed us to exchange ideas and learn about different approaches that countries are taking towards critical minerals policy and conversation,” she said. 

“It was an eye-opening experience that gave me a broader global perspective.” 

Overall, Arundhati described the Tour as providing ‘holistic exposure’ to the Australian critical minerals sector. 

“The combination of technical knowledge, industry visits and international networking wasn’t just about learning facts but seeing how policies, technologies, and people can come together to address the challenges in critical minerals. This blend of learning and connection made the Tour truly impactful.” 

Dr. Antoine Leydier
R&D PhD Engineer, French Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission
France

Dr. Leydier discovered the whole of Australia’s mining capacities, industry and governmental agencies (CSIRO, ANSTO and Geoscience Australia) as a direct outcome of his attendance on the Study Tour. 

“I had my first true contact with geopolitics and the ‘Game of Thrones’ played around minerals – critical and usual ones – around the world, as discussed by non-European speakers,” Dr. Leydier reflected. 

“Downstream, downstream, downstream,” is how the learnings from the Tour will impact Dr. Leydier’s work. 

“While actinides will still lead the dance, I’ll propose and try to transpose to use the research results we gather on existing processes and hopefully lead to international cooperation on R&D projects.” 

When asked about connections and opportunities in the future, Dr. Leydier noted that the introductions and future work may not be directly for him in his workplace, but they will be driving value for his colleagues in the CEA. On the personal connections established at the Tour, he said he had made “personal ones that will last.” 

Coordinating the global R&D ecosystem, bit by bit 

At the heart of the Study Tour was the desire to connect like-minded international partners, open the door for collaboration opportunities and build the awareness of Australia’s capabilities and capacities in the critical minerals sector. 

The Hub was so pleased to have achieved a highly successful study Tour and looks forward to the relationships and outcomes the past two weeks have helped to foster.