Developing robust protocols for measuring isotope anomalies in groundwater, coupled with groundwater flow modelling.
The Need
- No major Cu deposits discovered recently in Queensland.
- Groundwater could be a powerful exploration tool as weathering ore bodies have unique isotopic fingerprints.
- Current methods suffer from data quality issues due to the saline nature of groundwater.
The Impact
- Ability to systematically sample all existing water boreholes will facilitate sustainable exploration undercover.
- Groundwater flow modelling will allow better prediction of where economic deposits are located.
Researchers:
Dr. Alex McCoy-West, Dr. Mahmood Sadat Noori, Dr. Bithin Datta, Dr. Helen McCoy-West, Dr. Ioan Sanislav
Project Partners:
James Cook University, Anglo American, Mount Isa Mines
Total Project Value:
$4.125M
Curtin University is developing sustainable methods for the extraction of rare earth elements from low-grade clay hosted deposits to ensure reliable supply of REE in Australia.
The Need
The global drive for net zero, advancement in technology and development of sophisticated military defence systems have made rare earth elements critical minerals. REE supply risks pose significant challenges to the global economy. Australia holds 4% of world’s REE reserves, but the majority of its resources are in tailings of major commodities and low-grade (<1%) REE deposits. Over 90 clay-hosted REE projects in Australia are currently at exploration or feasibility stages. Sustainable beneficiation methods are needed to make these emerging REE deposits economically viable and to reduce associated environmental challenges.
The Impact
This research is unlocking beneficiation of REE from low grade clay deposits which could position Australia as a major player in REE supply.
Researchers:
A/Prof. Bogale Tadesse, A/Prof. Laurence Dryer, Prof. Katy Evans, Faith Agbenyo
Project Partners:
Curtin University, Critica
Total Project Value:
$1M
CODS is an applied research centre focused on solving complex planning and decision problems using optimisation, data science, and mathematical modelling.
The Need
Industries are facing increasingly complex decisions across areas like scheduling, logistics, resource allocation, and process control. There’s a growing need for tools that can handle large datasets, balance priorities, and deliver data-driven recommendations.
The Impact
CODS works with partners across mining, energy, agriculture, defence, and manufacturing to develop tailored optimisation solutions. The centre supports better planning, improved operational efficiency, and reduced uncertainty through advanced modelling and analytics.
Researchers:
Professor Ryan Loxton, Dr Fabrizio Padula, Dr Hoa Bui
Project Partners:
Curtin University, Woodside Energy, Alcoa, Lynas Rare Earths
Curtin researchers are developing a predictive model to help energy producers manage corrosion-under-insulation (CUI), a major cost driver in piping maintenance.
The Need
CUI can account for 40–60% of total piping maintenance costs in energy operations. Current approaches rely heavily on reactive maintenance. There’s a need for predictive tools that help operators plan ahead, reduce costs, and improve asset reliability.
The Impact
The model helps reduce costly maintenance by predicting corrosion risk. It’s attracted global interest and new collaboration opportunities. The project is building commercial capability and positioning Curtin for industry adoption.
Researchers:
A/Prof. Kod Pojtanabuntoeng
Project Partners:
Curtin University, Woodside Energy
Total Project Value:
$720K
CFIGS is Curtin University’s applied geoscience institute focused on solving real-world challenges in mineral exploration, environmental geoscience and Earth systems.
The Need
Exploration and resource development are becoming more complex, with increasing demand for precision, sustainability, and data-driven decision-making. Industry needs access to advanced geoscience tools and expertise to reduce risk and improve outcomes.
The Impact
CFIGS brings together researchers and industry to deliver practical solutions across mineral systems and geochemistry. The institute supports exploration targeting, environmental assessments, and process optimisation, helping industry make better decisions and reduce uncertainty.
Researchers:
Professor Chris Kirkland, Dr Hugo Olierook
Total Project Value:
$600K
Curtin researchers characterised mineralogy rich in rare earth elements in fresh rock and overlying regolith of the Jupiter deposit.
The Need
The rare earth elements (REE) are critical for renewable energy in addition to telecommunications and industry. Bastnaesite, monazite, and xenotime account for ~95 % of world REE reserves however significant REE resources occur in a much broader range of minerals at Jupiter that are presently understudied.
The Impact
REE mineralisation comparable to Jupiter occurs elsewhere in Western Australia and represents a currently untapped reserve of critical metals. Improved understanding of this mineralogy and associated metallurgy may unlock significant additional sovereign critical metal resources.
Researchers:
Prof. Katy Evans, Dr Alex Walker, Dr Hien Dinh
Project Partners:
Curtin University, Critica
The Need
- Rockfall protection in underground mining applications
- Reduce contamination of mineral concentrate
The Impact
- Improved safety for underground mining operators and equipment
- Reduction in mineral contamination improving yield
- Reduction in mining waste
Researchers:
A/Prof. Elsa Antunes, Dr. Tejas Koushik
Project Partners:
James Cook University, Mineright, Danbar Plastics
Total Project Value:
$1.2M
Curtin University is establishing a Digital Mining Innovation Lab to support research and industry collaboration in advanced mining technologies. The lab will house Open Process Automation (OPA) systems, GPU infrastructure, and other digital platforms.
The Need
Mining operations are increasingly reliant on digital technologies for automation, data processing, and decision-making. However, access to flexible test environments is limited. Researchers and industry need a space to trial new technologies, validate concepts and accelerate innovation.
The Impact
The lab provides a dedicated environment for testing and developing digital mining solutions. It will enable researchers and partners to explore automation, AI, and data driven approached in a controlled setting. This facility will support Curtin’s role in advancing technology adoption across the mining sector.
Project Partners:
Curtin University, Cisco, Optus, Northern Star Resources Ltd, Yokogawa
This project aims to enable fast, cost-effective acquisition of mineral chemistry to aid mineral exploration for critical mineral deposits.
The Need
- The mineral exploration space is becoming increasingly challenging
- Mineral chemistry and age dating are in high demand by the exploration industry
- Current procedures and protocols are costly and time-consuming
The Impact
- Automated analytical protocols and procedures to reduce time and cost
- A commercially viable model to deliver services to the industry
- Open advanced instrumentation/analytical capability hosted at universities and available to industry
- New methods to support mineral industry applications
Researchers:
Yang Liu, Avish Kumar, Haiyan Li, Kevin Blake, Ioan Sanislav
Project Partners:
James Cook University, MIM (Glencore), Anglo American, South32
Total Project Value:
$1.7M
Curtin University researchers developed a safe, non-toxic alternative to cyanide for extracting gold and other metals.
The Need
In the mining industry, chemicals like cyanide and sulphuric acid are commonly used to extract metals from crushed ore. However, these methods pose environmental and safety risks, and often fail to recover metals efficiently from complex or low-grade ores. As a result, valuable deposits may remain.
The Impact
Draslovka’s Australian division has grown from 3 to 60 staff in two years, bringing high-value jobs and investment to WA. Draslovka’s GLT revenues tripled to US$16m in 2024. Glycine Leaching is commercially installed at mines in Mongolia and Tanzania, being tested at 12 mining projects worldwide.
Researchers:
A/Prof. Elsayed Oraby, Dr Brad Schwehr, Dr Anxiang Yang
Project Partners:
Curtin University, Draslovka
Total Project Value:
$3M
This project aims to develop a drill core scanner based on neutron tomography technology that can be used to obtain simultaneously 3D mineralogy and geochemical information.
The Need
- Traditional methods of drill core characterization are time consuming, destructive and data integration is difficult
- 3D characterization of mineralogy and geochemistry
- Different penetration and sensitivity compared to X-rays
The Impact
- Quick characterization of drill core mineralogy and geochemistry
- Structural characterization for geotechnical applications
- Non-destructive
- Shorter waiting times
- Enables quick decision making
Researchers:
Ioan Sanislav, Helen McCoy West, Greg Boyle, Alex McCoy West, Bronson Philipa
Project Partners:
James Cook University, Ravenswood Gold, Sunshine Gold, Terra Search Pty Ltd
Total Project Value:
$4M
Curtin University researchers have been working on a technology called KalClay, which is a calcinated clay product that can replace up to 50% of cement in mining applications like cablebolt grout, shotcrete, and cemented fill.
The Need
Underground mining uses large amounts of cement to maintain structural stability and ensure safety. Techniques like sprayed concrete, cablebolt reinforcement, and cemented rockfill are cement-intensive, contributing to high costs and a significant carbon footprint.
The Impact
Commercial implementation would involve building a calcinating plant at a large clay deposit in the Kalgoorlie region. A successful outcome would create a new market for the clay deposit, reduce operational costs for nearby mine sites, and help miners lower their carbon emissions.
Researchers:
Professor Ernesto Villaescusa, Dr Nadia Bustos
Project Partners:
Curtin University, IGO Limited, Gold Fields, Evolution Mining, Geobrugg, Barminco, Ambrose Mining Pty Ltd
Total Project Value:
$3.1M
This project develops an off-grid EV charging solution for remote mining sites. It combines a cyclone-resistant solar carport, battery storage, and AI-driven energy management. A prototype will be tested at JCU Cairns, with structural validation at the Cyclone Testing Station.
The Need
- No off-grid EV charging for remote mining
- High cost of diesel fuel and maintenance
- Demand for cyclone-resilient solar solutions
- Growing need for low-emission operations
The Impact
- Replace diesel generators in mining
- Lower emissions and fuel costs
- Enable EV use in cyclone-prone regions
- Support commercial rollout by Umax Energy
- Train students in clean energy tech
Curtin University researchers developed a metallurgical flowsheet to enable the co-extraction of tin and boron.
The Need
The global energy transition is creating a surge in demand for tin and boron. This presents a strategic opportunity for Australia to secure its own supply chain by developing domestic resources, addressing the lack of local boron production and mitigating reliance on concentrated foreign markets for tin.
The Impact
This research established a laboratory-scale processing route capable of extracting over 94% of the tin and boron from the Mt Lindsay deposit, demonstrating the proof-of-concept for the co-extraction process.
Researchers:
A/Prof Bogale Tadesse, A/Prof Laurence Dyer, A/Prof Richard Alorro, Dr Bradley Schwehr, Dr Lisha Dong
Project Partners:
Curtin University, Critica
Total Project Value:
$2.1M
Novel computational algorithms to integrate multidisciplinary geophysical data for high-resolution models of crustal structure
The Need
There is limited understanding of geophysical signatures for ore bodies, and industry lacks tools to integrate geophysical, petrophysical, and geological data. Novel computational tools are required to reduce risk and cost of exploration, and improve constraints on subsurface models and mineralisation patterns.
The Impact
Advanced geophysical tools will integrate petrology to predict responses, for better characterisation of ore bodies. Machine learning approaches will perform automated detection and classification of subsurface anomalies for data-driven outputs.
Researchers:
Dr Lauren Waszek, A/Prof Ioan Sanislav, Dr Alex McCoy-West, Dr Helen McCoy-West, Ms Danastri Tampubolon
Project Partners:
James Cook University, Anglo American, Mount Isa Mines
Total Project Value:
$6.3M
Characterisation of vanadium in the Toolebuc Formation and related tailings to identify and calibrate best methods for on-site routine, fast, and cost-effective analyses and inform processing practices.
The Need
Demand for vanadium in energy storage applications and steel alloys. However, challenges in vanadium ore processing relating to difficulties in characterising and separating the vanadium limit the economic viability.
The Impact
Support growth of the emerging vanadium economy in northern Queensland by improving operational efficiency and scalability to enhance environmental and financial performance.
Researchers:
Helen McCoy-West, Ron White, Ioan Sanislav, Mahmood Sadat Noori
Project Partners:
James Cook University, Velox, QEM, Richard Vanadium Technology, Critical Minerals Group, Queensland Government
Total Project Value:
$15.5M
PCMX seeks to improve price discovery and enhance producer influence in mineral pricing.
The Need
Australia plays a leading role in the international supply of critical minerals. Yet it operates as a “price-taker” in mineral markets due to limited price-setting influence, fragmented value-chain coordination, and opaque market structures
The Impact
PCMX aims to empower producers through enhanced data transparency, industry collaboration, and development of robust reference price infrastructure as a foundation for a fully developed critical minerals marketplace.
Researchers:
Lichoo Tay, Prof. Allan Trench, A/Prof. Eric Lilford, Prof. Dirk Baur, Dr Jonathan Karlsen, Matthew Pogson
Project Partners:
Curtin University, Digital Finance CRC, Curtin University, Minerals Research Institute of WA, The University of Western Australia
Total Project Value:
$2M
Curtin University is developing sustainable methods to produce battery-grade manganese from primary and secondary sources.
The Need
Manganese is a critical mineral for battery technologies, but current production relies on energy-intensive mining and processing of primary ores. Additionally, valuable manganese is often lost in industrial waste streams. There is a critical need for cleaner and more efficient recovery methods that reduces environmental impact.
The Impact
This research is unlocking new pathways for sustainable manganese production. By advancing cleaner processing technologies and pilot validation, the project contributes to a more resilient environmentally responsible battery supply chain.
Researchers:
A/Prof. Elsayed Oraby, Arash Arami-Niya, Nirmala Ilankoon
Project Partners:
Curtin University, Sakura Ferroalloys Sdn Bhd, CPC Engineering
Total Project Value:
$1.7M
RapidGraphite is a Curtin University spin-out developing a catalytic process to convert carbon-rich waste into battery-grade synthetic graphic in just seconds.
The Need
Graphite is a key material in lithium-ion batteries, but current production methods are energy-intensive, slow, and environmentally damaging. To enable a secure energy future, we need sustainable and low-cost graphite production to support local battery manufacturing.
The Impact
The RapidGraphite process enables a sustainable supply of low-cost and low-emissions synthetic graphite to help secure Australia’s energy future.
Researchers:
Jacob Martin, Jason Fogg, Nigel Marks
Project Partners:
Curtin University
Total Project Value:
$1M
Curtin researchers have characterised Ti-rich lithologies from fresh rock and overlying regolith of the Pitfield deposit.
The Need
The Pitfield Titanium Project hosts one of the world’s largest concentrations of titanium but the origin of the titanium, and the processes that mobilised and deposited it, were not well understood at the start of this project.
The Impact
Curtin researchers have established controls on the origin and distribution of Ti-bearing minerals at Pitfield and proposed a genetic model that involves an exceptionally Ti-rich source and multiple upgrading processes. This model provides confidence for the exploration and geometallurgical teams as they work to bring Pitfield to production.
Researchers:
Prof. Katy Evans, Dr Louisa Stokes
Project Partners:
Curtin University, Empire Metals
Total Project Value:
$163K
SpiroPak is a Curtin-developed structured packing technology that improves gas-liquid separation efficiency using a 3D-printed, spiral design. Originally a research project, it has recently progressed into a commercial start-up.
The Need
Gas-liquid contactors are used in industries like carbon-capture, LNG and chemical processing, but traditional packing materials are inefficient and energy-intensive. There is a need for new designs that improve performance and lower operating costs.
The Impact
SpiroPak’s spiral geometry improves flow distribution and mass transfer, leading to smaller, more energy-efficient columns. The technology has been validated at pilot scale, and is now being commercialised, offering a scalable solution for reducing emissions and improving process efficiency.
Researchers:
A/Prof Tejas Bhatelia, Biao Sun, Qiaoran Liu
Project Partner:
Curtin University, Woodside Energy
Total Project Value:
$750K
Researchers at Curtin University will develop a flow loop to investigate the dynamic effects of dense-phase CO₂ corrosion.
The Need
Large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) will involve a wide range of industries, making it challenging to comply with current CO₂ purity guidelines. Therefore, alternative and more cost-effective materials are being developed, which will be tested in a dynamic flow loop setting.
The Impact
This project will deliver a mini-loop setup to simulate dynamic conditions for material testing in a dense-phase CO₂ environment. This capability will provide critical insights into material performance under dynamic conditions, and serve as an enabler to fast-track CCS applications, supporting the government’s net-zero targets.
Researchers:
Dr Thaneshan Sapanathan, Dr Ammar Al Helal, Mr Naveed Hassan
Project Partners:
Curtin University, JFE
Total Project Value:
$1M
This project will develop advanced characterisation and sustainable extraction methods for rare earth elements. The goal is to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and build Queensland’s REE processing capacity.
The Need
Address local expertise gaps, improve REEs ores characterisation, and develop greener extraction processes.
The Impact
- Builds Queensland’s expertise and capability in REE characterisation and processing.
- Improves HREE recovery with greener, more efficient extraction methods.
- Strengthens Australia’s critical minerals supply chain and strategic independence.
Researchers:
Dr Rosilene Welter, Professor George Vamvounis
Project Partners:
James Cook University, ARK Mines Ltd, NeoDys Pty Ltd, NorthX, Sunshine Metals, Queensland Government
Total Project Value:
$1.64M