2026 Q2 Newsletter Summary
Team Updates
CCRF continued to grow in Quarter 2, welcoming new Research Fellow Dr Zachary Sudholz and four PhD researchers across partner institutions. The Centre also celebrated Dr Olivia Mejías González’s appointment as Group Leader of UQ’s internationally recognised MIWATCH research group, highlighting CCRF’s commitment to developing future research leaders.
Research Updates
Researchers achieved significant milestones through new publications, competitive funding successes, international awards, conference presentations, and access to world-class research infrastructure. Highlights included advances in AI-driven geoscience, lithium exploration, critical minerals characterisation, and research translation towards industry applications.
Professional Development
CCRF delivered a range of researcher development initiatives, including a Centre-wide Structural Geology and Ore Deposit Formation workshop and the ongoing Monthly Online Forum Series. These activities continue to build technical capability and strengthen collaboration across the Centre’s research themes.
Industry Experience
Researchers engaged with industry through collaborations with organisations including EKION, Evolution Mining, and the Critical Minerals Association Australia. These experiences provided valuable exposure to industry challenges, commercialisation pathways, and the broader critical minerals sector.
Centre Activities
CCRF researchers played prominent roles at major international events, including the International Symposium on Mafic–Ultramafic Mineral Systems and the Geochemistry of Mineral Deposits Gordon Research Conference. The Monthly Online Forum Series also continued to showcase research progress and foster collaboration across the Centre.
Communication & Outreach
The Centre strengthened engagement with government, industry, schools, and the community through ministerial visits, STEM outreach programs, public presentations, and discussions on Australia’s critical minerals future. These activities demonstrate CCRF’s commitment to building capability beyond the research sector.
Upcoming Events
Looking ahead, CCRF researchers will contribute to the International Symposium on Granitic Pegmatites (PEG 2026), upcoming podcast releases, and the expanded CCRF Annual Workshop & Research Showcase in Adelaide. These events will provide opportunities to share research, strengthen partnerships, and shape future critical minerals research initiatives.