The Australian government has committed A$53-million to a new research initiative to boost the country’s critical minerals refining capability and support the development of new processing technologies.
The funding, provided under the Cooperative Research Centres Programme, will support the establishment of the Critical Metals for Critical Industries CRC (CMCI CRC), which will focus on advancing and commercialising technologies for refining critical minerals.
According to a joint announcement Industry and Innovation Minister Tim Ayres and Resources Minister Madeleine King, the centre will help position Australia to capture more value from its abundant mineral resources as global demand for materials used in the energy transition continues to rise.
Critical minerals, such as lithium, vanadium and cobalt, are increasingly sought after for use in technologies supporting the shift to a low-carbon economy.
The CMCI CRC will focus on high-value minerals, breakthrough technologies and sustainable refining approaches aimed at boosting domestic processing capacity while supporting job creation and export growth.
The research centre will bring together 62 partners, including 43 Australian businesses, 11 research organisations and four industry peak bodies. These partners will collectively contribute an additional A$185-million to the initiative.
Ayres said the project would strengthen Australia’s ability to develop advanced refining capabilities.
“The Albanese government has shown that it stands firmly with workers, researchers and firms in minerals processing across Australia.
“Generations of Australians have enjoyed the good fortune of this continent’s rich resource endowment, but the next chapter of mineral refining requires new technologies, new industrial capabilities and new partnerships,” said Ayres.
He added that the centre would help strengthen Australia’s industrial base and supply chains.
“The CMCI CRC builds on a proud tradition of Australian cooperative research and development to make sure Australia has the good jobs, resilient supply chains and high-quality manufacturing firms needed to tackle national challenges.
“Securing the future of critical minerals for our critical industries is how we realise the economic, social and environmental benefits of a Future Made in Australia, with more solar panels, wind turbines and defence equipment produced onshore.”
King said the initiative would contribute to global efforts to diversify supply chains for minerals essential to emerging technologies.
“Australia is at the forefront of global efforts to diversify supply chains for critical minerals and rare earths, and the materials the world will increasingly need for clean energy, defence and medical technology.
“The CMCI CRC will make a valuable contribution to our efforts to build our sovereign capabilities, and to secure jobs and the economic opportunities that flow from our diverse geology.”
She added that the CRC would unite industry and research institutions to accelerate innovation in refining technologies.
“The CMCI CRC will bring together industry, government and key research institutions, including the University of Western Australia, Curtin University, Macquarie University and Swinburne University, to further develop and commercialise technology for critical minerals refining.”
The CRC initiative builds on earlier government investments in the sector, including the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub, which brings together expertise from the CSIRO, ANSTO and Geoscience Australia.
Since its establishment more than 35 years ago, the Cooperative Research Centres Program has supported 242 CRCs and 297 CRC projects, with the government committing A$6.1-billion and partners contributing a further A$18.2-billion to collaborative research initiatives across a range of industries.
