Ranked fifth in the world and second in Australia* for Mineral and Mining Engineering, Curtin University has long had a reputation as a leader in mining innovation.
As part of the national Trailblazer Universities program, Curtin has partnered with The University of Queensland, James Cook University and over 50 industry partners to accelerate innovation, commercialisation and research in the critical minerals sector.
*2025 QS World University Rankings by Subject.
Accelerating innovation in Australia’s resource sector
Through initiatives like the Curtin Venture Studio, we’re helping fast-track innovation in the resources sector.
Our strengths
Critical minerals
Curtin has partnered with The University of Queensland, James Cook University and over 30 company partners across Australia to boost the nation’s critical mineral industry and prevent future supply chain disruptions.
Known as the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer, the partnership is matching $50 million from the Federal Government with funding from the university and industry partners.
The aim is to build new research capabilities and accelerate the commercialisation of technology for the critical minerals sector.
Regional benefits include the engagement of local businesses to provide services, including transport and logistics, construction, maintenance, flowing through to other areas of the business community in regional areas.
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Mining engineering
The WA School of Mines has various specialist research groups that partner with mining companies to deliver solutions to challenges in resource discovery and recovery.
The Drilling Analytics Research Centre (DARC) develops practical engineering models and technical solutions across the drilling process, particularly bit–rock interaction, high-speed diamond drilling, drilling fluid and turbo drilling. DARC has attracted nearly $10 million in funding since 2014, delivering tangible research outcomes for partners while expanding research capabilities and intellectual property. The centre’s fluid automation technology has been deployed at several sites around Australia, reducing water consumption during the drilling process by ~90% and chemical consumption by ~66%. The DARC team is also designing new geophysical sensors and algorithms that integrate with drilling equipment, complementing a universal drilling fluid chemical (UDF).
DARC is focused on bringing these innovations to both domestic and international markets, ensuring research has real industry impact and setting a model for how university research can drive the future of drilling technology.
Complementing this work, Curtin is leading the drilling optimisation project of the MinEx CRC, undertaking modelling and developing algorithms to facilitate complete automation.
Our Mining Rock Mechanics group also undertakes applied research and testing for local and international mining organisations. The team is highly experienced in geotechnical assessments involving rock mass characterisation and back analysis of excavation performance. Within the Mining3, we’re leading the Deep Mining area that is designing high-energy dissipation schemes, focusing on tunnel shape and reinforcement, blasting techniques and mechanised installation.
The Gold Technology Group has expertise in precious metals research ranging from preconcentration and comminution to final recovery processes. They designed and built the product Carbon Scout, an automated laser device that enables real-time monitoring of activated carbon levels in gold adsorption tanks. The device was successfully tested by AngloGold Ashanti Australia and then licensed to Gekko Systems.
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WA School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering
Drilling Mechanics Group
MinEx CRC
Mining Rock Mechanics group
Gold Technology Group
Resource economics
Studies by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre can be invaluable to an industry that is highly influenced by markets, policy and regulation. Focus areas include carbon pricing, fiscal regime administration and rare-earth markets. Curtin researchers at the Centre for Exploration Geophysics also focus on resources economics, and are collaborating on a project that aims to improve resource sector taxation frameworks for developing nations.
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Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre
Centre for Exploration Geophysics
Workforce participation and safety
Industry is increasingly recognising the value of understanding the factors that impact the individual’s ability to thrive at work, particularly in the era of digital transformation. For example, studies by the Centre for Transformative Work Design at Curtin found that FIFO workers have higher levels of psychological distress, and that a workplace culture that emphasises employee wellness offers better mental-health outcomes. And our Future of Work Institute helped construction company BGC to improve their wellness metrics, which delivered improvements in organisational performance.
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Asset management and decommissioning
A major aspect of optimisation and maintenance is the prevention and treatment of all forms of corrosion. The Curtin Corrosion Centre is internationally regarded for its expertise in corrosion diagnosis, prevention and integrity management, including in microbiologically induced corrosion.
The Curtin University Oil and Gas Innovation Centre also focuses on asset management, including the legal requirements and operation processes involved in offshore decommissioning – an increasingly important to the global petroleum industry. As this is a major emerging research area, Curtin is keen to partner with interested industry and government groups to ensure Western Australia is at the fore of global best practice in this area.
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Looking for a researcher?
Where we work
WA School of Mines
For more than a century, Curtin University and WASM have been at the forefront of research in the mining and resources sector.
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CFIGS
The Curtin Frontier Institute for Geoscience Solutions (CFIGS) connects world-class geoscience research and training with industry and government.
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School of Earth and Planetary Sciences
Our planetary science research includes tracking fireballs, meteorite recovery and microanalysis of celestial samples.
Learn morePartner with us
By partnering with Curtin, you’ll gain access to a network of experts and specialised facilities that can help your business become more efficient, sustainable and profitable. There are also opportunities for investment, licensing, mentoring and employment.
Reach out to Curtin’s Research Partnerships Team using the form below.
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