Session 7A | Innovations in Critical Mineral Exploration
Stream A
Wednesday, September 3, 2025 |
1:30 PM - 3:25 PM |
Riverside Theatre |
Sponsored By:
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Speaker
Dr Ruixue Wang
Research Scientist
CSIRO
Advancing Lithium Exploration with Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS): A Rapid and Cost-Effective Approach
1:30 PM - 1:50 PMBiography
Ruixue is a Research Scientist at CSIRO Mineral Resources, specializing in lithium resource exploration. Her work focuses on the application of advanced analytical technologies, particularly Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), to rapidly and accurately characterize lithium deposits—especially those hosted in clays and granites. By integrating real-time geochemical data with mineralogical insights, she supports the development of high-resolution, cost-effective exploration models for critical minerals.
Ruixue is passionate about advancing sustainable exploration practices to meet the growing global demand for critical minerals in the renewable energy transition. With a strong foundation in geological experimentation, data processing, and cross-disciplinary collaboration, she is committed to bridging fundamental research with practical, industry-driven solutions. Her work contributes to innovative strategies for responsible resource development and a cleaner energy future.
Dr Rosa Didonna
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Csiro
Texture and compositional zoning in pegmatitic mineral assemblages from Pilgangoora deposits (Pilbara Region, Western Australia)
1:50 PM - 2:10 PMBiography
Rosa Didonna is a volcanologist, petrologist, and geochemist who joined CSIRO in 2023 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to study the textures and chemistry of minerals in plutonic rocks, specifically targeting lithium resources. Her current research investigates pegmatite deposits from Pilgangoora (Pilbara, Western Australia), the Omeo Zone (Victoria, SE Australia), and Angola (Africa), exploring the magmatic and hydrothermal processes that control the fractionation and crystallisation of selected mineral phases (e.g., spodumene, mica, Ta-Nb oxides, apatite). She applies a multidisciplinary approach, integrating techniques such as Hylogger analysis, automated mineralogy, electron probe microanalysis, and mass-spectrometry analysis. Through her work, she aims to refine lithium exploration workflows and improve the assessment of prospective and non-prospective pegmatite deposits.
Callum Kucka
Mineral Resource Advice Specialist – Critical Minerals
Geoscience Australia
By-products – maximising Australia's hidden critical mineral potential
2:10 PM - 2:30 PMBiography
Callum currently works on the Critical Mineral By-product Potential project at Geoscience Australia, which is part of the Critical Minerals Research & Development Hub. This project aims to develop a methodology and output tool to predictively quantify Australia’s resource potential for gallium, germanium and indium in Australian zinc deposits. Callum is also a commodity specialist for fluorine, graphite and vanadium and contributes to a number of Geoscience Australia’s annual publications including Australia’s Identified Mineral Resources and the Australian Critical Minerals Map. Callum has previously been involved in several other Geoscience Australia projects including the Atlas of Australian Re-mining Potential, the Trusted Environmental and Geological Information Program and the Mineral Occurrence – Discovery and Exploration dataset.
Callum completed a Bachelor of Science (Hons) at the Australian National University in 2016.
Dr Ryan Noble
Senior Principal Research Scientist
Csiro
Machine learning landscape mapping and anomaly detection for the exploration of critical metals
2:30 PM - 2:50 PMBiography
Dr Ryan Noble is a Senior Principal Research Scientist and the Group Leader of Predictive Mineral Systems Science. Ryan works on numerous regolith and groundwater geochemistry projects related to gold, base metal, Ni, U and REE mineral exploration. Ryan is a Past-President and a Fellow of the Association of Applied Geochemists, and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. He is a Board member of the Australian Geoscience Council and the past Chair of Australian Earth Science Education.
Mark Noppe
W.H. Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre
Session 7a | Q&A with Session Chair
2:50 PM - 3:25 PMBiography
A member since 1998, Mark has been involved in AusIMM branch, society, conference / workshop and Award committees. Mark has supported professional development and standards through mentoring programs and the presentation of papers, talks and training at conferences and online platforms, including facilitation of the well-received online JORC Code reporting course. A Fellow and Chartered Professional (Geoscience), Mark’s contribution in the consulting sector was recognised with the AusIMM Charles Marshall Professional Excellence Award in 2019.
As a recognised leader in the consulting industry, Mark has held Board roles within various consulting companies since 2009, including Managing Director of Xstract Mining Consultants (2009-2012), Director of SRK (Australasia) in 2016, Chair and a Practice Leader in 2017, Director and Exco member of SRK (Global) in 2018, Managing Director of SRK (Australasia) 2019-2022, Director of SRK (Asia) in 2020, and Group Chair of SRK (Global) (2021-2022), before joining The University of Queensland (UQ). He is currently the CEO of UQ’s technology transfer company JKTech Pty Ltd.
Mark was elected to the AusIMM Board from 2021 and contributes to the Board and AusIMM members through his broad industry and professional services experience, contracting and governance exposure, familiarity with marketing and professional development activities, and in particular his interpersonal and communication style.
