The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia’s leading teaching and research universities. A global top 50 university, UQ has more than 2,500 academics and researchers and about 3,800 active research projects, working on the world’s biggest challenges and opportunities.

UQ’s Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) is a world-leading multidisciplinary research institute committed to developing the people, technologies and approaches needed to address global sustainability challenges through the responsible supply of minerals.

SMI researchers integrate expertise in geoscience, mining, mineral processing, workplace health, safety and risk, environmental management, social responsibility, and organisational improvement to create unique capabilities and collaborations.

The Institute works with a wide range of stakeholders including industry, governments and civil society organisations, and translates research into impact through commercialisation, contract research and consulting.

SMI is committed to training the next generation of industry and community leaders through higher degrees by research and public and bespoke professional development.

James Cook University (JCU), situated in North Queensland, is a leading research institution with a focus on delivering world-class research and education that genuinely impacts the regional and local communities of northern Queensland. The university’s strategic location, in close proximity to a diverse range of natural resources such as critical minerals, tropical rainforests, and the Great Barrier Reef, provides its researchers with a unique opportunity to study, work, and engage with key stakeholders both locally and internationally. 

The Economic Geology Research Centre (EGRU), located within Geoscience at JCU, is the leader of the JCU hub of the Trailblazer program.  EGRU has earned its reputation as a valued service and information centre for the resources industry over four decades, and is dedicated to building connections between academia, industry and government.  Its partnerships with industry and government focus on advancing the understanding of mineral resources.   Its commitment to cooperation and knowledge-sharing leads to collaborative research projects, relevant and timely professional development training, and an expanding library of invaluable information resources.  

The Trailblazer program is providing valuable opportunities for JCU researchers to further develop productive collaborative relationships with Trailblazer industry and university partners.