A new partnership between the Queensland Government and The University of Queensland’s (UQ) Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) will help unlock the potential of the state’s burgeoning critical minerals industry.
The Critical Minerals and Circular Economy Research Alliance will oversee an $8 million research program to drive identification, discovery and development of critical minerals.
Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart said the Alliance is a key action from the Queensland Critical Minerals Strategy and will operate for the next four years.
“We want to create a critical minerals industry where we not only mine and process the minerals here but also make the renewable technologies like solar panels and batteries,” Minister Stewart said.
“UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute is world renowned, and we want to work with their researchers to develop new ways to identify and develop critical minerals resources in Queensland.”
“For that we need new data, technologies, approaches, and workforce capabilities,” Professor Valenta said.
“We are looking forward to working with the Department of Resources as well as industry and research partners to develop innovative and clean pathways that cement Queensland as a world leader in responsible critical mineral production.”
UQ Vice Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry AC said the Alliance builds on the University’s long and successful history of working with the Department of Resources.
“We have a track record of working together on projects delivering tangible outcomes including an analysis of critical mineral recovery from mine waste at more than 35 sites which is being used to help recover the resources to fuel the energy transition,” Professor Terry said.
“This alliance will further strengthen our partnership as we work together to carry out research that will aid the development of a robust, responsible, and sustainable critical minerals industry in the State of Queensland.”
