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September 2025

Inside the lab

The Lucas Heights team behind CSIRO’s sensing and sorting success

Transforming deep science into powerful tools that are reshaping the future of mining and explosives detection, one innovation at a time.

Mineral of the month

Australian stibnite: an alternative antimony source to secure global supply

Stibnite is emerging as a strategically significant source of antimony, a listed critical mineral for Australia, the United States, European Union, Japan and Canada.

Space metals

Collaboration

How to make metals from Martian dirt

Swinburne and CSIRO researchers have successfully made iron under Mars-like conditions, opening the door to off-world metal production.

Dig in

Critical minerals webinar

14 October 2025, 2-3 pm AEST

Metal to market: Advancing metallisation for Australia’s critical minerals future

As global demand for critical minerals continues to surge, the ability to convert raw materials into high value products is becoming a strategic priority. Join the webinar to explore the vital role of metallisation in building Australia’s sovereign capabilities and strengthening the downstream value chain.

Register to attend

High purity silica

Review unlocks Australia’s high purity silica potential

Geoscience Australia, under the Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub, has released the ‘Understanding Australia’s High Purity Silica (HPS) Potential: A Global Mineral Systems Review.’ The review explores silica mineral systems and their prospectivity for HPS, integrates various silica mineral systems into a single framework, and provides a holistic tool for identifying and defining HPS opportunities to support the diversification of silicon supply chains in Australia.

R&D opportunities

Graphite R&D grants to supercharge SME battery innovation

Are you a mining or manufacturing SME working in battery technologies? CSIRO is offering new research and development (R&D) grant opportunities to strengthen Australia’s battery industry and boost export opportunities, with a focus on developing innovative technologies and processes essential for natural and synthetic graphite production.

Innovate to Grow program for critical minerals

Expressions of interest are open for CSIRO’s free 8-week R&D training program for SMEs working on solutions in the critical minerals sector. Participants can explore innovation ideas or challenges, assess their R&D plans and be supported as they navigate the R&D sector.

Rare earth workshop

March 2026

WORKSHOP: Accelerating development of Australia's Rare Earth Resources

The Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub invites you their workshops on 'Accelerating development of Australia’s Rare Earth Resources: Understanding clay-hosted rare earth element (REE) minerals systems in the Australian context.' Get in early to reserve your place.

Register interest

Upcoming conferences

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