CSIRO unlocks Australia’s critical minerals potential

CSIRO has released its research, development and demonstration (RD&D) report for the Australian critical minerals industry.

This is the first comprehensive assessment of innovation in critical mineral refining required to build a sovereign mid-stream processing industry in Australia.

The report provides data on the current capabilities, RD&D and international co-operation opportunities across lithium, cobalt, silicon, rare earth elements and graphite.

CSIRO says the demand for these energy transition materials has doubled in the past five years to $484b (US$320b), led by the exponential growth of electric vehicles (EVs) and the continued deployment of solar and wind energy.

“Australia has a strong foundation — a rich mineral and renewable resource endowment, a strong industrial base, robust institutional structures, and a highly active RD&D sector — to supply the key minerals and the value-added products required for the global energy transition,” CSIRO said in the report.

CSIRO Futures minerals lead Max Temminghoff says the report will contribute to Australia’s efforts to develop beyond mining and shipping to higher value processing and manufacturing using critical minerals.

“Australia has a rich critical minerals resource endowment and world-leading capabilities across several mid-stream activities,” he said.

“To become competitive in mid-stream processing, promoting innovation, coordinating efforts across industry, research and government and international collaboration are essential.

“Innovation plays a crucial role in improving existing commercial processes and introducing disruptive technologies to support cost-competitive and sustainable production of materials in Australia that are essential to the energy transition and in high global demand.

“By fostering innovation and collaboration, Australia can also capitalise on the international demand for minerals needed to support the energy transition and strengthen its global leadership in critical mineral processing.”

Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub manager Lucy O’Connor says R&D has a pivotal role to play in realising Australia’s potential in critical mineral processing, commercialising the sector and establishing the ESG standards and practices that set Australian industry apart.

“We need to ensure research is targeted to industry problems and outcomes and can be developed into commercially applicable technologies,” she said.

“This report provides information industry, international partners and investors, as well as the R&D sector, need to identify comparative opportunities as well as the most challenging technical bottlenecks for the sector when developing integrated supply chains in critical minerals.”

Across minerals, the report identified opportunities to improve RD&D in Australia by supporting the growth of onshore industry, the implementation of mature technologies from overseas at commercial scale, progressing Australia’s technologies beyond the lab, or demonstrating Australian IP at scale, among others.

Download the full report: www.csiro.au/mineralstomaterials