Our future geoscientists will be bridging the gap between Mineral System Science and ore processing/metallurgical extraction understanding of the full value chain of the critical resources essential for the future of humankind.
The ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources brings together industry, four of Australia’s leading universities, and state and federal governments to address the challenge of securing our future resources.
Notable decline in undergraduate intakes for most minerals higher education disciplines in Australia
(Minerals Tertiary Education Council, 2018)
USA has granted Australia preferred status for supply of critical minerals in EV batteries
(Mineral Council of Australia, 2022)
Production of minerals such as graphite, lithium and cobaly, could increase 500% by 2050, to meet growing demand for clean energy tech
(World Bank Group, 2020)
Future generations’ prosperity will depend on evolving inventories of strategic metals and minerals for technological advances and clean energy.
Exploration will become more predictive and targeted, and mining must minimize environmental impact, maximize metal recovery, and reduce waste.
Essential commodities like lithium, cobalt, rare earths, and platinum group elements will need sustainable exploration of new ore deposits. Future mines will rely on advanced identification, automation, and decarbonized methods to meet ESG expectations.
Continuing outdated methods will deplete critical minerals and increase ecosystem carbon. Academia and industry must collaborate to innovate exploration and sustainable extraction.
This crisis presents an opportunity for Australia to train geoscientists, ensuring leadership in innovation and attracting foreign investment as a reliable source of ethically sourced minerals.
