Queensland is set to host the national base of a new Cooperative Research Centre focused on advancing critical metals refining, processing and manufacturing technologies.
The Critical Metals for Critical Industries Cooperative Research Centre will be based at the University of Queensland’s Brisbane City campus, bringing together industry, researchers and governments to support the development and commercialisation of technologies for critical metals.
According to the Queensland Government, the centre will support industry-led projects aimed at increasing refining and processing capability in Australia, with initial work focused on vanadium. Future projects are expected to examine copper, rare earth elements, lithium and tellurium.
Queensland Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the Brisbane base would strengthen the state’s critical minerals ecosystem.
“The Crisafulli Government has a plan to unlock the 51 critical minerals we have in our backyard and the establishment of the Critical Metals for Critical Industries Cooperative Research Centre in Queensland reflects the work we have been doing to cement the State’s reputation as a globally competitive supplier of critical minerals,” Last said.
“We are building our capability to process, refine and commercialise our critical mineral resources right here in Queensland, ensuring our State captures more value from our resources here at home.”
The Queensland Government said the centre would connect researchers, manufacturers, investors and industry to help develop technologies and move research towards commercial applications.
Critical Metals for Critical Industries Cooperative Research Centre CEO Dr Neville Plint said the Brisbane hub would extend the centre’s national reach.
“The Brisbane Hub extends our national reach. It connects Queensland researchers and industry, nationally and internationally, and will help drive promising ideas from the lab into operation,” Plint said.
“Success means more than discovering resources. It means developing the refining technologies, skills and supply chains that capture more value in Australia and make us a trusted supplier to the world.”
The announcement follows the Queensland Government’s Delivering Queensland’s Critical Minerals Future 2026-30 strategy, which identifies processing and refining capabilities as part of the state’s critical minerals agenda.
The Queensland Government also allocated $146 million in its 2026-27 Budget to accelerate critical minerals extraction, processing and exports, including an additional $100 million for the Queensland Critical Minerals Fund administered by Queensland Investment Corporation.
The government said establishing the research centre in Brisbane would support its broader efforts to develop Queensland’s critical minerals sector and increase local processing and refining activity.
