Critical Minerals / METS – Page 4 – WA Innovation Calendar

MRIWA: Why Do We Need Minerals Research?

Understanding the mining life cycle offers students a powerful real‑world example of why STEM skills matter. From exploration to closure and even beyond—every stage relies on scientific research, creative problem‑solving, and evidence‑based environmental stewardship. This event will unpack how geoscientists, chemists, engineers, data analysts, ecologists and innovators work together to find minerals more sustainably, minimise impact, protect ecosystems, and restore land long after mining ends.

By showing students how scientific thinking drives cleaner technologies, greener processes, and smarter resource use, we can inspire the next generation of STEM leaders to imagine and create the low‑footprint mines of the future. Join us to discover how minerals research can energise your science classroom and empower students to tackle global sustainability challenges.

Through inspiring keynotes, interactive panels, and honest conversations, we’ll challenge misconceptions and empower students to see minerals research as a pathway to meaningful, real‑world impact.

We invite you and your students to register your interest in our inaugural event, designed to spark curiosity, encourage lateral thinking, and support aspiring young leaders as they imagine the low‑footprint, environmentally responsible mines of the future.

CORE Community Coffee

Join CORE Innovation Hub for a coffee and a chat and meet the local Perth energy and mining ecosystem.
Community Coffee is a great way to meet local innovators, technologists and entrepreneurs working to solve some of the big challenges. This is your opportunity to connect with CORE members and guests and find out more about the opportunities and the challenges within the sector.

DEADLINE: AusSRC HPC Funding Applications Close

The Australian SKA Regional Centre (AusSRC) is proud to launch the Astronomy Resources for Industry Applications (ARIA) Program, a new initiative designed to accelerate innovation through access to high-performance computing (HPC).
AusSRC is Australia’s contribution to the international SKA Regional Centre Network (SRCNet). The SRCNet will support the global flow of data and processing needed for the SKA telescopes – the two most advanced radio telescopes in the world, located in Australia and South Africa.
One of AusSRC’s goals is to support discovery and delivery of impact beyond radio astronomy. By working with industry to foster data-intensive innovations across sectors, AusSRC aims to leverage astronomy capabilities to generate broad benefits to the Australian economy and community.

The ARIA Program has been established to provide Australian start-ups and small to medium businesses with access to HPC resources to enable innovation in products and services aligned with key technical priorities.

For the 2026 inaugural funding round, AusSRC will support projects focused on:

Data Management
Data Visualisation
Data Compression

We are seeking applications from SMEs and start-ups that would benefit from HPC capability but face barriers accessing research-based or large-scale infrastructure schemes.

Applications are open to organisations from any industry excluding astronomy that can demonstrate how covering HPC-related expenses would directly enable innovation in one or more of the priority areas.

For a full explanation of the ARIA Program, please refer to the ARIA Program Guidelines and ARIA Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

DEADLINE: CRC-P Grants Round 19

Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) grants fund short-term industry-led collaborative research projects for up to 3 years. These are open to all sectors. As part of the AI Accelerator initiative, CRC-P round 19 includes up to $20 million for projects to help businesses and researchers across Australia accelerate AI development and commercialisation.

Learn more about the grant and apply here: https://business.gov.au/grants-and-programs/cooperative-research-centres-projects-crcp-grants

WA Major Projects Conference 2026

Western Australia’s largest major projects & infrastructure conference attracting over 150 delegates each year. Topics covered – Transport, housing, health, energy & water.
Western Australia’s financial position remains exceptionally strong, with an unprecedented $38 billion infrastructure program rolling out over the next four years. This investment is transforming the state through major projects in transport, energy, housing, mining, regional development, and economic diversification.

Against this backdrop, the WA Major Projects Conference returns in March 2026 for two dynamic days of discussion and collaboration. The conference will provide a comprehensive overview of ongoing and upcoming projects across the state, while offering a high-level platform to explore WA’s infrastructure pipeline, challenges, and opportunities.

Join us and connect with key decision-makers, gain valuable insights, and be part of shaping the future of Western Australia’s infrastructure landscape.

DEADLINE: Graphite Research and Development Grant

The Graphite Research and Development Grant provides Australian small to medium enterprises SMEs with funding and access to CSIRO experts on collaborative R&D projects.

This initiative will support development of a sustainable graphite industry in Australia, which is essential to meeting the growing global demand for battery anode materials. Australia is positioned to become a key supplier to the USA and other global markets by capitalising on its natural graphite deposits. This program supports R&D in areas like alternative feedstocks, efficient recycling methods, and purification techniques, contributing to a cleaner, more sustainable graphite production process.

CORE Connect – Perth – March

CORE Connect is where Perth’s innovators, founders, operators and industry leaders come together to shape the future of mining, energy and resources.

From emerging technologies and commercialisation pathways to capital, capability and collaboration, CORE Connect focuses on the practical realities of building and scaling solutions in the resources sector.

Maximising Australian Critical Minerals R&D Potential through Targeted Collaboration – Panel Discussion

Australia sits at the centre of a global race to secure, process and value‑add critical minerals, but real success depends on how effectively industry, research organisations and government work together.

This panel brings together national leaders shaping that collaborative landscape to explore how Australia can accelerate innovation, strengthen sovereign capability, and unlock the full potential of its critical minerals sector.

Join Dr Chris Vernon (CSIRO), Dr Neville Plint (Mining3 and Critical Metals for Critical Industries | CMCI CRC), Rohan McDougall (Curtin University Trailblazer), Dr Karin Soldenhoff (ANSTO), and Lucy O’Connor (Manager, Australian Critical Minerals R&D Hub) as they unpack emerging opportunities, technical challenges, and the strategic partnerships required to position Australia as a global leader along the entire critical minerals value chain.

Expect sharp insights, real‑world experience, and a forward‑looking discussion on the collaborations that will define Australia’s next decade of critical minerals growth.

Workshop (online only): Accelerating Development of Australia’s Rare Earth Resources

You are invited to an upcoming workshop ran by the Australian Critical Minerals Research and Development Hub, for which will detail the outcomes of the Accelerating Development of Australia’s Rare Earth Resources (ADARER) project – a collaboration between Australia’s leading federal science agencies; the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), Geoscience Australia (GA), and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).

Opportunities for WA METS in the Americas

Austmine, in partnership with Invest & Trade Western Australia, invites Western Australian METS companies to explore the latest opportunities and emerging trends within the Americas mining industry.

The mining markets across the Americas represent some of the most dynamic growth opportunities for Australian METS companies, driven by robust investment pipelines, strategic resource portfolios and a strong shift towards innovation and sustainability.

Latin America – particularly Chile and Peru – continues to attract significant foreign investment with a broad mix of copper, gold, zinc, lithium and other critical minerals underpinning long-term demand, while national governments are actively seeking partnerships to modernise operations and adopt cutting-edge technologies.

In North America, the United States and Canada remain lucrative markets with established mining sectors that offer a familiar business environment, strong appetite for innovation and numerous growth corridors – from automation and digital solutions to sustainability services.

This webinar will showcase where and how Western Australian innovation can thrive in the Americas’ expanding mining landscape.

Panel discussion with successful WA Exporters:

Brianna Peake, Investment and Trade Commissioner for the Americas, Invest & Trade Western Australia
Robert Trzebski, Director International Business, Austmine
Sheldon Varcoe, International Projects Manager, Austmine