In summary

  • Swinburne will contribute its expertise to the Critical Metals for Critical Industries Cooperative Research Centre (CMCI CRC)

  • The CMCI CRC brings together industry, government and research institutions to further develop and commercialise technology for critical minerals refining

  • Swinburne’s involvement in the CMCI CRC will generate the fundamental knowledge and technical know-how needed to develop and scale up key processes for critical minerals processing

Swinburne University of Technology will contribute its expertise to the Critical Metals for Critical Industries Cooperative Research Centre (CMCI CRC), which has just been awarded $53 million in funding from the Federal Government. 

The CMCI CRC brings together 62 partners, including Australian businesses, research organisations and peak bodies to further develop and commercialise technology for critical minerals refining. 

“At Swinburne, we are dedicated to addressing real-world challenges by working closely with industry and government partners,” says Swinburne’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research Professor Karen Hapgood. 

“Our involvement in the CMCI CRC will advance research and technology in critical minerals processing, strengthen Australia’s global position and help future-proof key industries.”

Critical minerals at Swinburne

Critical minerals are essential for many of today’s key technologies, and for the transition to a green economy. 

Swinburne’s involvement in the CMCI CRC will generate the fundamental knowledge and technical know-how needed to develop and scale up key processes for critical minerals processing.

“Australia has strong potential to become a global powerhouse in critical minerals, particularly lithium and rare earth elements,” says Professor Akbar Rhamdhani, lead researcher.

“For example, Australia is currently the world’s largest exporter of lithium minerals used in battery materials. There is significant opportunity to further process these lithium minerals onshore, creating higher-value products and expanding Australia’s value-added exports.”

Driving innovation and sustainability in Australia’s critical minerals sector

As part of the CMCI CRC, Swinburne will provide expertise on high temperature and electrolysis processing of critical materials, minerals processing and recycling and metal manufacturing.

“Swinburne’s research direction focuses on fundamentally rethinking how metals are produced and recycled. This includes replacing traditional carbon-based reactions with alternative pathways such as metal-driven reduction, hydrogen plasma technologies, and zero-carbon electrolysis routes,” says Professor Rhamdhani.

“These efforts will generate the fundamental knowledge and technical know-how needed to develop and scale up key processes for critical minerals processing. This work will also help support and de-risk various potential processing pathways, while shaping the future of critical minerals research and industry in Australia,” says Professor Rhamdhani.

Working alongside other partners, Swinburne will contribute towards process development and scaling up of zero carbon route, thermodynamic kinetic experimentation and modelling, and environmental sociology. In addition, Swinburne will also provide expertise in supply chain, energy storage management, design and packaging.

“The depth and breadth of Swinburne’s involvement in the CMCI CRC allows us to contribute significantly to this national initiative, ensuring that Australia remains at the forefront of the global shift towards a sustainable, value-added critical minerals sector,” Professor Hapgood adds.

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