Sign up to receive the weekly WA Innovation Calendar Newsletter!  Sign up here
X

Tag: Critical Minerals / METS

DEADLINE: DeepStart Accelerator Program

DeepStart is designed for early stage Australian teams building technology solutions grounded in research and scientific innovation.

Eligible teams include:

  • Researchers developing technologies with commercial potential
  • Startups commercialising scientific or engineering breakthroughs
  • Innovative SMEs developing technology-enabled business models

Technology areas supported include, but are not limited to:

  • Critical minerals and processing technologies
  • Energy systems and transition technologies
  • Resource and mining technologies
  • Advanced manufacturing and enabling deep technologies
  • AI-enabled productivity tools

Backed by the RTCM Trailblazer, with supporting funding from Melt Ventures, DeepStart offers one of the largest pools of early-stage accelerator funding in Australia, alongside direct access to national and international pathways through partners Cicada Innovations and Greentown Labs.

DeepStart will run from Thursday, 30 July to Thursday, 8 October, with six fortnightly sessions held on Thursday afternoons, delivered in person in Perth and online for interstate teams. The program concludes with the DeepStart Industry & Investor Showcase on Tuesday, 20 October.

Site visit: PROK Australia manufacturing facility in Perth WA

Site visit: PROK Australia manufacturing facility in Perth WA

Join Engineers Australia for an exclusive site visit to PROK’s Western Australian facility, a global leader in conveyor component manufacturing. This session offers a deep dive into the engineering precision required to support the world’s most demanding mining operations.

Participants will explore the end-to-end production of high-performance pulleys and rollers, gaining insights into advanced automation, material science, and the rigorous testing protocols that ensure reliability in extreme environments. We will address the technical challenges of conveyor optimisation and the innovative design shifts currently driving efficiency and sustainability across the bulk materials handling industry.

Beyond the machinery, this tour focuses on the practical application of engineering excellence in a local manufacturing context. Attendees will engage with PROK’s technical experts to discuss real-world maintenance strategies, failure analysis, and the integration of smart technology into traditional hardware. This is a unique opportunity to see how Western Australian engineering is setting international benchmarks for safety and throughput.

Whether you are involved in asset management, structural design, or mechanical operations, you will walk away with a bolstered understanding of the lifecycle and performance of critical conveyor infrastructure.

Australian Financial Review Mining Summit

The Australian Financial Review Mining Summit 2026, presented by the Minerals Council of Australia.

📅 Wednesday 27 May 2026
📍 The Ritz-Carlton Perth

The forum will bring together senior government officials and business to explore the opportunities and challenges of Australia’s mining and resources sectors.

Attendees can expect to hear insights and advice across a range of topics, including:

the future of mining in Australia;rare earths and critical minerals; investment appetite across the industry; and digitalisation and decarbonisation.

DEADLINE: AEA Innovate Grant Round 3

Innovate grants support mid-stage research commercialisation through competitive grants of up to $5 million for a maximum period of 24 months.

These grants are available for researchers at Australian universities to collaborate with industry to advance projects that already have laboratory proof-of-concept.

Grant recipients are expected to be able to increase the technology and commercial readiness of their innovation to reach proof-of-scale. This includes developing and testing prototypes or pilots for new products, processes or software in an industry-relevant environment.

TRaCE R&D Co-Funding Webinar

Innovative businesses in clean energy and recycling are invited to this webinar to learn about co-funding options available through the Trailblazer for Recycling and Clean Energy (TRaCE) program. You’ll also hear directly from Mark Armstrong of CO2 Australia, one of our partners, on how it’s enabled their innovation journey.This interactive session will run on Friday 24 April from 12:30 to 1:30 AEST, and in addition to funding, will cover access to the University’s facilities, expertise, and the application process.

Powering Below: The Future of Subsea Energy

Powering Below: The Future of Subsea Energy

Exploring the technologies, infrastructure and partnerships shaping the next era of offshore energy systems. As global energy systems evolve, the role of subsea infrastructure is becoming increasingly critical — from enabling offshore renewables to supporting the transition of traditional oil and gas operations.

Join CORE Innovation Hub and Subsea Energy Australia for a special CORE Connect event bringing together industry, innovators and the broader ecosystem to explore what lies beneath the surface.

This session will unpack the technologies shaping subsea energy, the infrastructure required to support it, and the partnerships needed to deliver at scale. From electrification and remote operations to emerging opportunities in offshore wind, carbon capture and subsea processing, we will dive into the trends redefining the sector.

Expect a dynamic discussion, followed by audience Q&A and the opportunity to connect with others working across energy, resources and technology.

CSIRO Conversations: Quantum for Every Business

Quantum is moving fast and it’s already creating real opportunities for Australian businesses. This event unpacks what’s real and what’s coming next.

Quantum is at the same stage AI was a decade ago, quietly moving from research labs into real world tools. This event helps industry understand what’s real, what’s hype, and where the near term opportunities lie and who can help. Where today’s computers check one option at a time, quantum can explore many possibilities at once. That makes it powerful for decision making and resource management when it comes to things like routing trucks, detecting minerals, managing patients in a hospital, securing communications or modelling new materials.

Quantum is becoming practical and commercially relevant far sooner than most businesses expect. It’s already emerging in:

  • Supply chains: quantum inspired optimisation is helping logistics companies reduce fuel use and manage disruptions.
  • Finance: banks are exploring quantum safe encryption to protect transactions.
  • Quantum sensing: ultra precise measurements for mining, agriculture, health and defence.

Our expert panellists will translate a complex emerging technology into a grounded, industry relevant discussion on:

  • What quantum technologies can do today.
  • What’s coming next.
  • How Australian businesses can prepare responsibly and competitively.
  • How quantum intersects with supply chain resilience, national security, and economic pressures.

Pre-submit your questions to the expert panellists ahead of the webinar

DEADLINE: METS Innovation Program WA

Funding for WA based companies in the mining equipment, technology and services (METS) sector.

This program provides funding to METS companies to help them develop products and services in certain focus areas.

This program aims to activate innovation and research into the following focus areas:

  • net zero emission mining
  • critical minerals
  • green steel
  • exploration amplification
  • alternative use of tailings and waste
  • precision and low impact mining.

Eligible projects must meet the definition of minerals research as outlined in the guidelines.