Mineral security exists when all people have sufficient and affordable access to the minerals necessary for human development and security, including for shelter, mobility, communication, energy, and sustenance.
The Mineral Security Masterclass is a fantastic opportunity to gain knowledge and hands-on experience on the relationship between minerals, human development and poverty alleviation. This intiative of The University of Queensland's Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) is supported by the United Nations Educational and Scientific Organization International Geosciences Program (UNESCO-IGCP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme, and the Australian Research Council Future Fellowship Scheme.
If you or your organisation is interested in sponsoring or supporting candidates to attend the Masterclass, please contact Bora Aska (b.aska@uq.edu.au) or Gary Flomenhoft (g.flomenhoft@uq.edu.au).
Applications for 2026 are now open and close 9 October 2026
2026 Mineral Security Masterclass & Fiji Fieldwork
The Masterclass offers a rich learning experience that deepens participants’ understanding of how mineral security can support human development and poverty alleviation. By engaging with a range of private, public, and non-profit organisations, participants will gain exposure to diverse perspectives about minerals and their role in development and will develop new multidisciplinary skills, including project design and fieldwork capabilities. The program also fosters cross-cultural exchange and learning, while strengthening global collaborative networks.
Timeline
16 November–30 November 2026
Who should apply
Early-career geo-scientists and professionals, upper-level undergraduate students and post-graduate students from Pacific Island Countries are encouraged to apply for the placement component in Fiji.
Part 1: Masterclass in Mineral Security (Fiji)
A five-day training program in Fiji combining lectures, discussions and practical activities. The program will include two days introducing the principles and concepts of mineral security, one day at the STAR Conference with participation in two mineral security-related workshops, and two days focused on project planning and development.
Part 2: Fieldwork Placement (Fiji)
An eight-day field placement for selected participants to work alongside local partners on practical, hands-on mineral security projects in Fiji. The placement will be open to applicants from Fiji and other Pacific Island countries.
Key learning objectives for participants
- Understanding the concept of mineral security and the interconnections between minerals (including development minerals), poverty alleviation, human development and security.
- Understanding the context in which the specific sustainable development and mineral security challenges are situated (e.g. learning about the environment, society and economy).
- Developing interdisciplinary problem-solving skills.
- Understanding the geology, minerology, and industrial processes involved in minerals necessary for human development.
- Understanding the interconnections between ecosystems, minerals, industry, human development, and consumers (systems thinking).
- Learning effective communication skills to help translate research into action.
- Contributing to solving a real-life problem.
How to apply
- All field work placement participants are required to attend the short-course component of the Mineral Security Masterclass in full. In Fiji, placements will build on those of earlier cohorts including a strong focus on the introduction of low-carbon cement made from local materials, the impact of aggregate extraction on Fiji’s natural environment and supporting disaster reconstruction and resilience.
- Eligible participants for this field work placement must be early-career professionals (under the age of 45) working in the relevant fields (see above) and based in South Pacific Island Countries (SIDSs). Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Applicants are required to have the permission of their employer to attend the event.
- We require applicants to write short essay (500 words max) on what mineral security means to you, why you should be selected, and how your participation in the field work placement will benefit you, your organisation, community and/or country.
- Selected participants will receive a travel grant covering flights, accommodation, and meals during the field placement. Travel grants are available only to non-Fijian participants who are required to travel to Fiji for the placement.
Applications for 2026 are now open and close 9 October 2026
2025 Masterclass (now closed)
- Online short-course | 27 October – 30 October 2025
- Fiji Work Placement | 24 November – 5 December 2025
- Malawi Work Placement | 1 December – 12 December 2025
The Mineral Security Masterclass is a fantastic opportunity to gain knowledge and hands-on experience on the relationship between minerals, human development and poverty alleviation.
The Masterclass consists of two components:
- Free online short-course: Fifteen hours of online training, discussions and lectures delivered over five days and two time zones.
- Sponsored field work placement for selected applicants: A two-week (80 hour) field placement for selected candidates to work with local partners on hands on mineral security projects. This year, we will be holding work placements in two countries, Fiji and Malawi, open to applicants in those, and neighbouring countries.
The placement offers a rich learning experience that deepens participants’ understanding of how mineral security can support human development and poverty alleviation. By engaging with a range of private, public, and non-profit organisations, participants will gain exposure to diverse perspectives about minerals and their role in development and will develop new multidisciplinary skills, including project design and fieldwork capabilities. The program also fosters cross-cultural exchange and learning, while strengthening global collaborative networks.
Key learning objectives for participants are:
- Understanding the concept of mineral security and the interconnections between minerals (including development minerals), poverty alleviation, human development and security.
- Understanding the context in which the specific sustainable development and mineral security challenges are situated (e.g. learning about the environment, society and economy).
- Developing interdisciplinary problem-solving skills.
- Understanding the geology, minerology, and industrial processes involved in minerals necessary for human development.
- Understanding the interconnections between ecosystems, minerals, industry, human development, and consumers (systems thinking).
- Learning effective communication skills to help translate research into action.
- Contributing to solving a real-life problem.
- Learning effective communication skills to help translate research into action.
Mineral Security Masterclass (Online short-course) | 27-31 October 2025
The Mineral Security Masterclass short-course is open to all people interested in sustainable development. Professionals and students working or studying in a wide range of backgrounds should apply, including:
- Geology and geoscience
- Material science and engineering
- Social sciences, human development and poverty alleviation
- Geography
- Development economics
- Policy and law
- International development
- Environment science and management
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Participants who attend the Mineral Security Masterclass in full will receive a certificate upon successful completion of the course. There will be two separate sessions depending on your time zone:
Time:
- Session 1: 8–11 am Australian Eastern Standard Time; 6–9 pm US Eastern Daylight Time; 12–3 am Central European Summer Time (until October 26) and 11 pm–2 am Central European Time (after October 26)
- Session 2: 4–7 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time; 8–11 am Eastern Africa Time; 6–9 am Central European Summer Time (until October 26) and 5–8 am Central European Time (after October 26); 2–5 am US Eastern Daylight Time.
Mineral Security Work Placement (Fiji) | 24 November – 5 December
Early-career geo-scientists and professionals, upper-level undergraduate students and post-graduate students from Pacific Island Countries are encouraged to apply for the placement component in Fiji.
All field work placement participants are required to attend the online short-course component of the Mineral Security Masterclass in full. In Fiji, placements will build on those of earlier cohorts including a strong focus on the introduction of low-carbon cement made from local materials, the impact of aggregate extraction on Fiji’s natural environment and supporting disaster reconstruction and resilience.
Eligible participants for this field work placement must be early-career professionals (under the age of 45) working in the relevant fields (see above) and based in South Pacific Island Countries (SIDSs). Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants are required to have the permission of their employer to attend the event.
We require applicants to write short essay (500 words max) on what mineral security means to you, why you should be selected, and how your participation in the field work placement will benefit you, your organisation, community and/or country.
Selected participants will receive a travel grant covering flights, accommodation, and meals during the field placement. Travel grants are available only to non-Fijian participants who are required to travel to Fiji for the placement.
Mineral Security Work Placement (Malawi) | 1-12 December
Early-career professionals from Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi are encouraged to apply for the placement component in Malawi.
All field work placement participants are required to attend the online short-course component of the Mineral Security Masterclass in full. Participants will work on specific mineral security projects under the guidance of the Malawi Mining Investment Company (MAMICO). Project topics may include: investigations and market analyses to explore the potential to supplement imported fertilisers using local minerals (e.g., limestone and K-syenite) to enhance food security; research to investigate cement, concrete, aggregate, cobblestone or brick supply chains to understand access and affordability of key construction materials to build housing and roads; projects working with government to shape strategies and policies to improve mineral security; and meeting local mineral security needs while protecting the values of UNESCO protected areas, including geoparks.
Eligible participants must be professionals working in the relevant fields (see above) and have the permission of their employer to attend the event. Women are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants are required to have the permission of their employer to attend the event.
We require applicants to write short essay (500 words max) on what mineral security means to you, why you should be selected, and how your participation in the field work placement will benefit you, your organisation, community and/or country.
Selected participants will be eligible for a travel grant covering flights, accommodation, and meals during the field placement component. Travel grants for the Malawi field placement are available only to participants traveling from Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, or Mozambique. Applicants must have a working knowledge of English to be selected.
More information
For further enquiries contact Bora Aska
Past project outcomes
The Mineral Security Masterclass, was formerly known as Stone for Development which ran successfully for several years.