A new Curtin University institute will connect government and industry with leading geoscience expertise to help transform WA’s economic future in critical minerals with more sustainable mineral exploration.
The Curtin Frontier Institute for Geoscience Solutions (CFIGS) includes a Geo Shopfront platform offering tailored services and timely, practical insights to support more efficient and sustainable exploration and resource development and reduce costly risks for the resources sector.
CFIGS Director Professor Chris Kirkland said the Institute gave organisations easy access to advanced analytical expertise at a time when mineral exploration was becoming increasingly complex and challenging.
“Backed by Curtin’s world-class geoscience facilities, our experts can collaborate with organisations to fast-track real-world solutions for sustainable exploration and development while addressing national priorities in resources and critical minerals,” Professor Kirkland said.
“WA’s economic future in critical minerals, the clean energy transition and resource security relies on geoscience that’s faster, smarter, and more targeted – and that’s exactly what CFIGS delivers as a platform connecting industry to expertise.”
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harlene Hayne CNZM said CFIGS drew on Curtin’s broader research ecosystem of specialist centres, commercialisation teams and national collaborative programs to help bridge the gap between research discovery and industrial deployment.
“The Curtin Frontier Institute for Geoscience Solutions demonstrates how our research excellence can be translated into tangible benefits for industry, government and the wider community,” Professor Hayne said.
“By strengthening collaboration and improving access to our expertise, CFIGS helps support a more innovative and sustainable future for Australia’s resources sector.
“This initiative builds on the achievements of Curtin’s School of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the WA School of Mines, working in partnership with the John de Laeter Centre to apply state-of-the-art instrumentation to reduce exploration risk, improve mineral recovery and yields, and support best-practice environmental management.”
Science and Innovation Minister Stephen Dawson said the Institute would deliver many benefits for Western Australia.
“This Institute will drive innovation and job creation by equipping our resources sector with the latest expertise needed to stay ahead in the global critical minerals race,” Minister Dawson said.
“By garnering stronger links between research, industry and government, we are ensuring WA remains at the forefront of sustainable resource development, securing prosperity for our state now and into the future.”
Formally launched on 19 March, CFIGS will work with mining and exploration companies; government agencies including Geoscience Australia and the Geological Survey of Western Australia; other state and territory bodies; and organisations such as the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia and the Australian Research Council to support Australia’s exploration and mining sector.
For more information about CFIGS, visit here.
