A new research centre to boost the skills and disruptive thinking needed to drive Australia’s critical minerals sector by training geoscientists to address global climate change and energy security challenges is opening its doors.
Hosted by the University of Western Australia, the ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre (ITTC) in Critical Resources for the Future brings together some of Australia’s leading universities, resource industry stakeholders and government institutions to drive research into critical minerals and sustainable mining.
Centre Director, Professor Marco Fiorentini, from UWA’s School of Earth Sciences, said it is the first of its kind in Australia and involves research leaders from UWA, Australian National University, the University of Queensland and the University of Adelaide.
UWA Vice-Chancellor, Professor Amit Chakma, said the centre would be a catalyst for transformational change in sustainable mining.
“It will help place Australia at the forefront of a greener global critical resource industry while also providing an exciting opportunity for academics and industry leaders to partner together to develop Australia’s geoscience future,” Professor Chakma said.
Professor Fiorentini said it was vital for exploration and mining operations to minimise their environmental impact through more precise predictive targeting, efficient ore processing and metallurgical practices.
“Commodities such as lithium, cobalt, rare earths and platinum group elements require the sustainable development of new ore deposits, and our current exploration methods may not suffice. Future mines will need to leverage automation, digitalisation and decarbonised processes to meet environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards,” he said.
“Australia’s exploration and extraction strategies currently rely heavily on empirical knowledge of known mineral systems, limiting our ability to meet the rapidly increasing global demand for critical minerals.”
Professor Fiorentini said the new centre’s professional development programs for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers would focus on bridging the gap between mineral system science and ore processing/metallurgical extraction.
“To ensure international competitiveness and attract foreign investment, Australia must prioritise transdisciplinary education that equips future geoscientists with the skills needed for predictive exploration and sustainable extraction practices, which are crucial for addressing global demands for critical minerals,” he said.
“Postdoctoral researchers will collaborate across diverse projects, gaining invaluable insights and professional development opportunities alongside our industry partners, enhancing their skill sets with the latest advancements in conceptual frameworks, data science, and technology.”
Speaking at the opening event, the Federal Minister for Resources, Madeleine King, thanked UWA for the chance to take part.
“It is an exciting moment for everyone involved in the arduous and complex collaborative exercise that leads to the successful award of an ARC research centre grant, and the establishment of a centre that will make a true difference to the nation.
“Our national science institutions – Geoscience Australia and the CSIRO, along with the geological surveys of Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland, and The Minerals Research Institute of WA and the Northern Territory Government, will all be integral government partner organisations.”
Ms King said that the future of critical minerals discovery and processing depends on developing the next generation of geoscientists.
“That’s why the work of this collaborative research training centre will be so important.
“We know the future leaders for the critical minerals sector will require a broad range of skills and expertise – right across the minerals value chain.
“This centre will equip these future geoscientists with the knowledge and practical skills gained through industry placements to meet the challenges and capitalise on the opportunities in this field.”
Ms King said the centre is also a terrific example of collaboration.
“By bringing together industry, four of Australia’s leading universities, and state and federal government geological survey institutions, it is giving itself every chance of success.
“This centre will give future geoscientists the best possible training to make them the world’s best and places us in a strong position to secure our future resources and prosperity.”
