26 August, 2024

Regional Trailblazer Showcase and Stakeholder Forum

Back to news & events

Wednesday 25 September 2024

The inaugural Regional Trailblazer Showcase & Stakeholder Forum will be held on Wednesday 25 September in Townsville, Queensland hosted by James Cook University.

The aim of the event is to highlight industry relevant research projects supported by the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer whilst identifying concerns and research goals for the resources and critical minerals sector. Attendees will also get the opportunity to explore avenues for productive communication and collaboration between research institutes and industry.

The Hon. Scott Stewart, Queensland Minister for Resources and Critical Minerals, will officially open the event with a Ministerial Address, followed by a presentation from Queensland Department of Resources’ Engagement Lead Ange Bannerman. Featuring round table discussions, report presentations, and panel discussions, the event will be rounded out by an incredible line up of participants from industry, government and research including:

  • Rohan McDougall – Director, Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, Curtin University
  • Professor Jenny Seddon – Deputy Vice Chancellor Research JCU
  • Associate Professor Ioan Sanislav – JCU Trailblazer Director and Director, Economic Geology Research Centre and
  • Katrina-Lee Jones – Director Skills, Education & Diversity, Queensland Resources Council
  • Professor Nico Adams – Associate Dean, Industry and Innovation, JCU
  • Dr Nick Oliver – Principal Consultant, HCOV Global
  • Andrew Moser – Principal Hydrogeologist & Partner, Ground and Water Australia
  • Bronwyn Dwyer – Water Planning and Science | North Region, Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water
  • Dr Ben Jarihani – Water Engineer & Hydrologist, JCU
  • Nicholas Whebell – Cleveland Bay Chemical Company
  • Mark Noble – Project Manager Battery Strategies & Critical Mineral Industries, Queensland Department of State Development and Infrastructure
  • Dr Helen Degeling – Project Acquisition Manager, Cobalt Blue Holdings
  • Stephen Budd – Senior Economic Development Officer, Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning
  • Dr Vladimir Lisitsin – Manager, Mineral Systems Geological Survey of Queensland
  • Dr Hong Peng – Senior Lecturer, School of Chemical Engineering,UQ
  • Dr Lydia Tang – Regional Technical and Business Development Manager Mining (APAC) – Liquid Purification Technologies at LANXESS
  • Professor Mohsen Yahyaei – Program Leader, Future Autonomous Systems & Technologies, SMI UQ

REGISTRATION DETAILS

Title: Regional Trailblazer Showcase & Stakeholder Forum
Date: Wednesday 25 September
Location: Rydges Southbank Townsville, 23 Palmer Street, Townsville QLD 4810
Timing: Event starts 8:30am concluding at 4:30pm. Guests are invited to stay for a social function at the conclusion of the event.

Latest News & Events

National Industry PhD Program

22 January, 2026
The National Industry PhD Program brings universities and businesses together to co-design and deliver cutting-edge, industry-focused research. By embedding PhD candidates across both environments, the program enables deep collaboration on real-world challenges, translating advanced research into practical outcomes while building long-term innovation capability across sectors. About the Program The National Industry PhD Program is an […]

Eight Innovators Showcase Clean Energy Solutions at NETA 2025 Demo Night 

09 October, 2025
The National Energy Transition Accelerator (NETA) 2025 program wrapped yesterday with a demo night that celebrated and showcased the eight deep-tech protoventures that took part. Invited guests from 47 organisations gathered at Curtin 137 St Georges Terrace, representing partners from industry, venture capital funds and academia, to hear how the NETA 2025 cohort are advancing innovations across the […]

Banksia Minerals Processing Celebrates Breakthrough Industry Wins

24 September, 2025
Banksia Minerals Processing is celebrating a major achievement after winning the Smarter Copper Processing Solutions prize at the Copper to the World (CTTW) 2025 Conference.  The Trailblazer-supported venture commercialises breakthrough technology from Associate Professor James Vaughan and his team at the University of Queensland Hydrometallurgy Research Group that enables sustainable extraction of copper from low-grade […]

A collaborative partnership between

Curtin University

The Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer is supported by the Australian Government Department of Education through the Trailblazer Universities Program.

The Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer acknowledges all First Nations people of the ancestral lands on which we operate. We pay our respects to all First Nations people, and to Elders past, present and emerging. We recognise their deep knowledge and their cultural, spiritual and educational practices, and aspire to learn and teach in partnership with them. We are committed to working in partnership with all Custodians and Owners to strengthen and embed First Nations’ voices and perspectives in our decision-making, now and into the future.

Contact details