Research Alliance launched in Queensland
Queensland’s critical minerals industry has been boosted with the creation of a new partnership between the state government and the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute.
The partnership includes an $8m research program part of the Critical Minerals and Circular Economy Research Alliance and it will drive the identification, discovery and development of critical minerals.
Research programs will also focus on creating a critical minerals circular economy, from mining resources to processing and then manufacturing the renewable technologies Queensland needs to decarbonise.
Queensland Resources and Critical Minerals Minister Scott Stewart says this alliance is about setting up the future of Queensland’s resources industry.
“We want to create a critical minerals industry where we not only mine and process the minerals here but also make the renewable technologies like solar panels and batteries by Queenslanders for Queenslanders,” he said.
“The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute is world renowned and we want to work with their researchers to develop new ways to identify and develop critical minerals resources in Queensland.
“Research programs will also help us go beyond just digging up minerals but creating a true circular economy model for this exciting new industry.”
The Research Alliance is part of Queensland’s Critical Minerals Strategy and will operate for the next four years.
University of Queensland vice chancellor professor Deborah Terry commented on the partnership.
“This alliance strengthens our partnership with the Queensland Department of Resources on research that will aid the development of a robust, responsible and sustainable critical minerals industry in our state,” she said.
“We have a track record of working together on projects delivering tangible outcomes, including an analysis of critical mineral recovery from mine waste rock at more than 35 sites which is being used to help recover the resources to fuel the energy transition.”