Australian Critical Minerals Research Centre

Building expertise, knowledge, and networks in critical minerals.

Ongoing and secure supplies of critical minerals are essential to our transition to a high-tech and clean-energy world. Cost-effective, efficient and environmentally sustainable discovery and extraction of these commodities is needed.

The Australian Critical Mineral Research Centre (ACMRC) is the go-to group for multidisciplinary research programs into the discovery, mineralogy and characterisation of critical minerals. We cover critical minerals research and education, from early productivity analyses to resource definition to geometallurgy.

The ACMRC has strong support from the SA Department of Energy and Minerals, Australian Research Council and the minerals industry.

Explore our research

We cover end-to-end research in the discovery, mineralogy and processing of critical minerals.

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We are the go-to group for multidisciplinary research into critical mineral resources.

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At ACMRC, we cover end-to-end research into critical minerals, from early productivity analyses to resource definition to geometallurgy.

Our multidisciplinary research programs include:

Program 1: Discovery

The ACMRC is world-renowned for expertise in novel isotope geochemistry, mineral geochemistry and geophysics, which we are using to develop new exploration tools. The key focus of our Discovery Program is to develop new exploration tools and methods to enhance future ore deposit discoveries.

Our expertise includes:

Mineralogy and mineral chemistry
Geological controls on deposit formation
Economic geology
Continental geology
Basin architecture
Tectonics
Igneous and metamorphic petrology
Mineralisation processes
Exploration methods (geophysics)
Novel geochemical and geophysical techniques for mineralisation targeting
Geochronology
Geochemistry.

Program 2: Mineralogy

The Mineralogy Program uses advanced microanalytical and spectroscopic techniques and facilities to boost understanding of critical mineral ores and mineral chemistry.

Our expertise includes:

Complex mineralogy and deposit formation in ores, concentrates, tailings and smelter slags across the critical mineral spectrum
Combining knowledge of geology, mineralogy, geochemistry and mineral processing
Geometallurgy
Critical mineral deposits
Copper, gold and uranium deposits that contain critical minerals as byproducts
Opportunities for refining, value addition and end-product manufacture in Australia.

Program 3: Processing and Recovery

The Processing Program aims to fully realise the value of production of Australia’s rich endowment of critical mineral resources. Our researchers have a strong history of providing research that is commercialised by industry.

Our expertise includes:

Detecting and managing radioactivity in all types of materials · Understanding and removing radionuclides from ores and concentrates
Sensing and scanning technology
Separating non-target elements from ores
Advanced sensing, data analytics and machine learning to monitor operations, maximise value and reduce costs.

What are critical minerals?

Metals and non-metals that are irreplaceable inputs for society’s future, including in renewable energy systems, infrastructure, transport, high tech equipment and defence systems.
Their supply may be at risk due to geological scarcity, geopolitical, economics or social issues. · Examples include rare earth elements (REEs), cobalt, lithium, indium, germanium, tellurium and tungsten, but they can also be more abundant elements like copper and nickel. Any mineral can become ‘critical’ in the right conditions.
Australia is perfectly positioned to be a global leader in ethical, environmentally responsible critical mineral research and supply due to our rich endowment, strong sovereignty and highly skilled workforce.

The rapid transition to a high-tech, low-carbon environment will herald unprecedented societal changes across the globe. The centre is responding to the following key challenges.

Transition to renewable energy

In the next two decades, wind, solar and hydro power will displace fossil fuels as primary global energy suppliers and electric vehicles will overtake the internal combustion engine as our dominant mode of transport. Essential to enabling this transition will be an ongoing and secure supply of critical metals, such as rare earth elements (REEs), cobalt, lithium, indium, germanium, gallium, niobium, tantalum and tungsten. These metals are key ingredients for turbines, motors and batteries for energy generation and storage, as well as the high-tech enabling devices used by society, including for national security and defence. Many of these metals carry significant risk of supply due to geopolitical, environmental, economic or social issues. Alternative supply chains are urgently needed.

Critical minerals knowledge

With a well-established, modern mineral resources sector and highly prospective geology, Australia is primed to be a global supplier of critical mineral products, including the above metals but also other critical mineral commodities, including tellurium. Federal, state and territory governments are actively seeking international trade partnerships and industry investment in critical minerals, but there remain fundamental roadblocks to advancing the national critical minerals potential.

Critical minerals endowment

Critical (or strategic) minerals are vital to the next generation of global technologies. Most are subject to regional and geopolitical supply concerns. Australia recognises their importance (as identified by Geoscience Australia) but, like other jurisdictions (e.g. UK, USA, EU, Japan), work is only beginning to identify our potential for future supply.

Learn about and connect with our highly experienced data science experts.

Professor Carl Spandler

Director Australian Critical Minerals Research Centre
Email: carl.spandler@adelaide.edu.au

Profesor Nigel Cook

Deputy Director
Email: nigel.cook@adelaide.edu.au

Researchers

Chemical Engineering

Dr Cristiana Ciobanu
Professor Nigel Cook
Adjunct Professor Kathy Ehrig
Professor Volker Hessel
Associate Professor Yung Ngothai Physics

Chemistry and Earth Sciences

Professor Alan Collins
Professor Martin Hand
Dr Juraj Farkas
Associate Professor Stijn Glorie
Associate Professor Tony Hooker
Associate Professor Rosalind King
Professor Graham Heinson
Dr Richard Lilly
Dr Derrick Hasterok
Dr Lucy McGee
Dr Laura Morrissey
Professor Carl Spandler
Professor Nigel Spooner
Dr Jarred Lloyd
Dr Adam Abersteiner
Dr Fun Meeuws
Dr Stefan Loehr
Mr Darwin Subarkah
Professor Allan Pring

Research and Innovation

Professor Mike Goodsite

Benefits to partners

Access to a critical mass of world-class researchers at Adelaide University and our Australian and international research partners

Access to our industry partners, many of whom are long-standing investors in research

Access to state, territory and federal government partners, including Geoscience Australia and state and territory geological surveys

Be part of national research initiatives, such as the ARC Centre in Critical Resources for the Future

Priority access to the results of projects, including, upon contractual agreement, first rights to commercialise IP

Ability to make suggestions to research programs and provide advice to research teams.

Our industry partners

The ACMRC runs projects or engages closely with research-active companies, including:

Mining and exploration companies including BHP Olympic Dam, Fortescue Metals Group, Glencore, Lynas Corporation, Nyrstar, Core Lithium, Cobra, Encounter Resources, Australian Rare Earths Ltd and Arafura Resources
Mining equipment, technology and services companies, including Boart Longyear, Orica, Bureau Veritas, Scantech, Maggoteaux, Manta Controls and many others.

Our research partners

Long-standing research partners provide complementary expertise in geology, mineral chemistry and minerals processing:

Australian National University
University of Western Australia
University of Queensland
Curtin University
Monash University
James Cook University
Ongoing research partnerships with Geoscience Australia and most state and territory geological surveys
Australia's Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation.

Research consortia

Our partners also have access to the many consortia our researchers are part of, which work on similar industry challenges:

ARC Research Hub for Australian Copper-Uranium
MinEx CRC
ARC Centre in Critical Resources for the Future
ARC Training Centre for Integrated Operations for Complex Resources
Centre for Radiation Research Education and Innovation (CRREI)
CRC ORE
Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources (IMER)
Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing (IPAS)
PRIF Integrated Mining Consortium
Centre for Sustainable Planetary and Space Resources
Centre for Energy Technology.

Contact us

Australian Critical Minerals Research Centre

Enquiries can be directed to the Centre Director, Professor Carl Spandler, via email at carl.spandler@adelaide.edu.au.

Location
Australian Critical Minerals Research Centre
Adelaide University
City Campus, Adelaide SA 5095

Email: carl.spandler@adelaide.edu.au