Australia’s green metals future

CSIRO is leading an initiative to advance Australian green metals production by strengthening industry-research collaboration.

The Green Metals Innovation Network (GMIN) is a $10m initiative funded by the Federal Government and will be supported by a partnership between CSIRO and the Heavy Industry Low-carbon transition Copper Research Centre (HILT CRC).

GMIN will bring together research, government and industry to accelerate the development of domestic green metals industry for Australia’s iron, steel, alumina and aluminium sectors.

The initiative is part of the Federal Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda that seeks to leverage the country’s renewable energy and mineral resources to position the nation as a global leader in the supply of value-added materials for the net-zero economy.

Current annual exports of ores and manufactured iron, steel, alumina and aluminium products are valued at almost $150b and the sectors employ more than 200,000 people.

Growth in the green metals sector is critical to support this invaluable sector through the energy transition and secure its role in Australia’s future economy.

CSIRO chief executive Dr Doug Hilton says Australia has an opportunity to create new low carbon growth industries and jobs in these areas.

“At CSIRO, we strive to shape technology development that drives low-cost electrification and decarbonisation of our major industries and exports in a competitive, low-carbon global economy,” he said.

“The challenge is immense, but equally there is opportunity here for Australia to be an innovator and to create a future where sustainable energy and mineral resources expand our prosperity.”

The GMIN will coordinate a nationwide ecosystem of research, innovation and capacity building to address key technical and economic challenges to:

• accelerate the rate at which green metals process routes are adopted
• de-risk the development and deployment of new technologies suited to Australian ores and conditions
• drive understanding of how to lower cost and increase performance in new processing pathways

The network will also support research, infrastructure, talent growth, future planning and knowledge sharing to help drive the green metals industry forward.

HILT CRC chief executive Jenny Selway says the company’s role in co-managing the network complements its core expertise in managing research collaboration, deep industry connections, established education and training program and experience in fostering knowledge sharing.

“By strengthening collaboration between industry and research, GMIN will help fast-track innovation and technology to address gaps in the low-cost production of green metals including iron, steel, alumina and aluminium, as well as Australia’s transition to net zero,” she said.