![\"Scientist](\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/critical-minerals.jpg\"\n)
\n <\/div>\n<\/a>\n\n Accelerating innovation in Australia’s resource sector<\/h4>\n \n
Through initiatives like the Curtin Venture Studio, we’re helping fast-track innovation in the resources sector.<\/p>\n\n \n <\/div>\n <\/mimas-block>\n\n Curtin has partnered with The University of Queensland, James Cook University and over 65 company partners across Australia to boost the nation’s critical mineral industry and prevent future supply chain disruptions.<\/p>\n Known as the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer<\/a>, the partnership is matching $50 million from the Federal Government with funding from the university and industry partners.<\/p>\n The aim is to build new research capabilities and accelerate the commercialisation of technology for the critical minerals sector.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n The WA School of Mines<\/a> has various specialist research groups that partner with mining companies to deliver solutions to challenges in resource discovery and recovery.<\/p>\n The Drilling Analytics Research Centre<\/a> (DARC) develops practical engineering models and technical solutions across the drilling process, particularly bit\u2013rock 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).<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Complementing this work, Curtin is leading the drilling optimisation project of the MinEx CRC, undertaking modelling and developing algorithms to facilitate complete automation.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n Studies by the Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n Industry is increasingly recognising the value of understanding the factors that impact the individual\u2019s ability to thrive at work, particularly in the era of digital transformation. For example, studies by the Centre for Transformative Work Design<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n Our strengths<\/h2>\n \n \n \n \n <\/div>\n\n
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Critical minerals<\/h3>\n
Mining engineering<\/h3>\n
Resource economics<\/h3>\n
Workforce participation and safety<\/h3>\n
Asset management and decommissioning<\/h3>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n ![\"WASM](\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/wasm.jpg\"\n)
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\n\n ![\"School](\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/research\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/mars-crater-2000x1000-1-aspect-ratio-2-1.jpg\"\n)
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\n \n<\/mimas-block>\n\n\n![\"Rocks](\"https:\/\/www.curtin.edu.au\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AdobeStock_110111727-FOR-WEB-1920x500.jpg\"\n)
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