Program | Critical Minerals Conference 2026

Critical Minerals Conference 2026 Program

The conference program is subject to change at any time, at the discretion of the organising committee.

All times are listed below in AEST (Brisbane, Australia).

Monday, September 21, 2026

	Stream A	Stream B
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 1)
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM	Session 1 \| Opening Plenary Welcome to Country Refiti Tovi, Turrbal \| Gubbi Gubbi \| Ningy Ningy \| Gamilaraay Welcome from the Conference Chair Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair AusIMM Address Stephen Durkin, AusIMM Queensland Premier's Opening Address Honourable David Crisafulli MP, Queensland Premier and Minister for Veterans Keynote Presentation Keynote Presenter, What is so critical about critical minerals? Christiane Brendel, Strategic Advisor, Energy, Resources and Major Projects Q&A + Discussion (Session 1) Q&A + Discussion,
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 1)
Session 2 11:00 AM - 12:55 PM	Session 2A \| The Challenge of Scaling Up Beyond the flowsheet: Scaling ultra-high purity alumina for semiconductor and AI infrastructure Rob Williamson, Alpha HPA From strategy to scale: Why critical minerals innovation stalls between pilot and bankability Donna Kitsos, Rata Group Midstream in Australia: Ambition vs reality - Confronting the structural constraints Namali Mackay, Critical Minerals Association Australia Demystifying the midstream bottleneck: An analytical framework for critical minerals policies Dorothea Ramizo, Curtin University - Perth From approval to operation: how reform can accelerate Australia's critical minerals pipeline Mark Breitfuss, Onterris Q&A + Discussion (Session 2A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 2B \| Advances in Lithium Recovery, Extraction and Sustainable Refining Selective flocculation-flotation of fine spodumene: Recovering lithium from particles currently lost to tailings Danni Luo, University of Melbourne Electrolysis-based conversion for sustainable lithium refining Clive Brereton, Noram Electrolysis Systems Inc Pulsed electrolysis for selective recovery of critical metals from complex solutions Kim Kavander, Elmery Oy Improving lithium recovery by minimizing the ultrafines generation Yogesh Reja, Derrick Q&A + Discussion (Session 2B) Q&A + Discussion,
12:55 PM - 1:55 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 1)
Session 3 1:55 PM - 3:30 PM	Session 3A \| Social Licence - A Critical Element Social licence and critical minerals: Comparative insights from Australian and Canadian public attitude surveys Kieren Moffat, Voconiq Beyond the E: The important role of social and governance in critical minerals Mellissa Case, Bechtel Mining and Metals First Nations perspectives on critical minerals extraction: Insights from roundtable dialogues in 2025 Tira Foran, CSIRO Licensing the social licence - Managing SLO in Australia’s critical minerals industry: Towards a just energy transition Riasat Noor, Monash University Q&A + Discussion (Session 3A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 3B \| REE Recovery Pathways and Project Economics In-situ recovery of rare earth elements from ionic adsorption clay deposits: Technology comparison, capital intensity and the emerging ex-China development pathway Lucas Bullen, Altris Engineering Review of beneficiation of rare earth minerals from clay-hosted ores Faith Agbenyo, Curtin University Economic considerations in the processing of clay hosted rare earth deposits in Australia James Quinn, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Extraction of tungsten oxide and REEs from scheelite ore Iqra Arshad, UET Lahore Q&A + Discussion (Session 3B) Q&A + Discussion,
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 1)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 4 \| Global Perspectives on Critical Minerals Panel Discussion, Day 1 Closing Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM	Welcome Reception

	Stream A	Stream B
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 1)
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM	Session 1 \| Opening Plenary Welcome to Country Refiti Tovi, Turrbal \| Gubbi Gubbi \| Ningy Ningy \| Gamilaraay Welcome from the Conference Chair Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair AusIMM Address Stephen Durkin, AusIMM Queensland Premier's Opening Address Honourable David Crisafulli MP, Queensland Premier and Minister for Veterans Keynote Presentation Keynote Presenter, What is so critical about critical minerals? Christiane Brendel, Strategic Advisor, Energy, Resources and Major Projects Q&A + Discussion (Session 1) Q&A + Discussion,
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 1)
Session 2 11:00 AM - 12:55 PM	Session 2A \| The Challenge of Scaling Up Beyond the flowsheet: Scaling ultra-high purity alumina for semiconductor and AI infrastructure Rob Williamson, Alpha HPA From strategy to scale: Why critical minerals innovation stalls between pilot and bankability Donna Kitsos, Rata Group Midstream in Australia: Ambition vs reality - Confronting the structural constraints Namali Mackay, Critical Minerals Association Australia Demystifying the midstream bottleneck: An analytical framework for critical minerals policies Dorothea Ramizo, Curtin University - Perth From approval to operation: how reform can accelerate Australia's critical minerals pipeline Mark Breitfuss, Onterris Q&A + Discussion (Session 2A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 2B \| Advances in Lithium Recovery, Extraction and Sustainable Refining Selective flocculation-flotation of fine spodumene: Recovering lithium from particles currently lost to tailings Danni Luo, University of Melbourne Electrolysis-based conversion for sustainable lithium refining Clive Brereton, Noram Electrolysis Systems Inc Pulsed electrolysis for selective recovery of critical metals from complex solutions Kim Kavander, Elmery Oy Improving lithium recovery by minimizing the ultrafines generation Yogesh Reja, Derrick Q&A + Discussion (Session 2B) Q&A + Discussion,
12:55 PM - 1:55 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 1)
Session 3 1:55 PM - 3:30 PM	Session 3A \| Social Licence - A Critical Element Social licence and critical minerals: Comparative insights from Australian and Canadian public attitude surveys Kieren Moffat, Voconiq Beyond the E: The important role of social and governance in critical minerals Mellissa Case, Bechtel Mining and Metals First Nations perspectives on critical minerals extraction: Insights from roundtable dialogues in 2025 Tira Foran, CSIRO Licensing the social licence - Managing SLO in Australia’s critical minerals industry: Towards a just energy transition Riasat Noor, Monash University Q&A + Discussion (Session 3A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 3B \| REE Recovery Pathways and Project Economics In-situ recovery of rare earth elements from ionic adsorption clay deposits: Technology comparison, capital intensity and the emerging ex-China development pathway Lucas Bullen, Altris Engineering Review of beneficiation of rare earth minerals from clay-hosted ores Faith Agbenyo, Curtin University Economic considerations in the processing of clay hosted rare earth deposits in Australia James Quinn, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Extraction of tungsten oxide and REEs from scheelite ore Iqra Arshad, UET Lahore Q&A + Discussion (Session 3B) Q&A + Discussion,
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 1)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 4 \| Global Perspectives on Critical Minerals Panel Discussion, Day 1 Closing Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM	Welcome Reception

	Stream A
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 1)
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM	Session 1 \| Opening Plenary Welcome to Country Refiti Tovi, Turrbal \| Gubbi Gubbi \| Ningy Ningy \| Gamilaraay Welcome from the Conference Chair Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair AusIMM Address Stephen Durkin, AusIMM Queensland Premier's Opening Address Honourable David Crisafulli MP, Queensland Premier and Minister for Veterans Keynote Presentation Keynote Presenter, What is so critical about critical minerals? Christiane Brendel, Strategic Advisor, Energy, Resources and Major Projects Q&A + Discussion (Session 1) Q&A + Discussion,
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 1)
Session 2 11:00 AM - 12:55 PM	Session 2A \| The Challenge of Scaling Up Beyond the flowsheet: Scaling ultra-high purity alumina for semiconductor and AI infrastructure Rob Williamson, Alpha HPA From strategy to scale: Why critical minerals innovation stalls between pilot and bankability Donna Kitsos, Rata Group Midstream in Australia: Ambition vs reality - Confronting the structural constraints Namali Mackay, Critical Minerals Association Australia Demystifying the midstream bottleneck: An analytical framework for critical minerals policies Dorothea Ramizo, Curtin University - Perth From approval to operation: how reform can accelerate Australia's critical minerals pipeline Mark Breitfuss, Onterris Q&A + Discussion (Session 2A) Q&A + Discussion,
12:55 PM - 1:55 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 1)
Session 3 1:55 PM - 3:30 PM	Session 3A \| Social Licence - A Critical Element Social licence and critical minerals: Comparative insights from Australian and Canadian public attitude surveys Kieren Moffat, Voconiq Beyond the E: The important role of social and governance in critical minerals Mellissa Case, Bechtel Mining and Metals First Nations perspectives on critical minerals extraction: Insights from roundtable dialogues in 2025 Tira Foran, CSIRO Licensing the social licence - Managing SLO in Australia’s critical minerals industry: Towards a just energy transition Riasat Noor, Monash University Q&A + Discussion (Session 3A) Q&A + Discussion,
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 1)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 4 \| Global Perspectives on Critical Minerals Panel Discussion, Day 1 Closing Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM	Welcome Reception

	Stream B
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 1)
8:30 AM - 10:30 AM	Session 1 \| Opening Plenary Welcome to Country Refiti Tovi, Turrbal \| Gubbi Gubbi \| Ningy Ningy \| Gamilaraay Welcome from the Conference Chair Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair AusIMM Address Stephen Durkin, AusIMM Queensland Premier's Opening Address Honourable David Crisafulli MP, Queensland Premier and Minister for Veterans Keynote Presentation Keynote Presenter, What is so critical about critical minerals? Christiane Brendel, Strategic Advisor, Energy, Resources and Major Projects Q&A + Discussion (Session 1) Q&A + Discussion,
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 1)
Session 2 11:00 AM - 12:55 PM	Session 2B \| Advances in Lithium Recovery, Extraction and Sustainable Refining Selective flocculation-flotation of fine spodumene: Recovering lithium from particles currently lost to tailings Danni Luo, University of Melbourne Electrolysis-based conversion for sustainable lithium refining Clive Brereton, Noram Electrolysis Systems Inc Pulsed electrolysis for selective recovery of critical metals from complex solutions Kim Kavander, Elmery Oy Improving lithium recovery by minimizing the ultrafines generation Yogesh Reja, Derrick Q&A + Discussion (Session 2B) Q&A + Discussion,
12:55 PM - 1:55 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 1)
Session 3 1:55 PM - 3:30 PM	Session 3B \| REE Recovery Pathways and Project Economics In-situ recovery of rare earth elements from ionic adsorption clay deposits: Technology comparison, capital intensity and the emerging ex-China development pathway Lucas Bullen, Altris Engineering Review of beneficiation of rare earth minerals from clay-hosted ores Faith Agbenyo, Curtin University Economic considerations in the processing of clay hosted rare earth deposits in Australia James Quinn, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation Extraction of tungsten oxide and REEs from scheelite ore Iqra Arshad, UET Lahore Q&A + Discussion (Session 3B) Q&A + Discussion,
3:30 PM - 4:00 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 1)
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 4 \| Global Perspectives on Critical Minerals Panel Discussion, Day 1 Closing Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM	Welcome Reception

Tuesday, September 22, 2026

	Stream A	Stream B
7:15 AM - 8:15 AM	Breakfast Session \| First Nations Partnership and Co-Design in Critical Minerals Development Guest Speaker Gavin Martin, WSP Facilitator Jenny Agnew, Sedgman
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 2)
8:30 AM - 10:05 AM	Session 5 \| Day 2 Welcome and Opening Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair Ministerial Address Honourable Dale Last MP, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines; Minister for Manufacturing; Minister for Regional and Rural Development Keynote Presentation Keynote Presenter, Keynote Presentation \| Critical Metals for Critical Industries (CMCI) CRC: Catalysing Australia’s sovereign refining capability Neville Plint, Critical Metals for Critical Industries (CMCI) Cooperative Research Centre (CRC)
10:05 AM - 10:35 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 2)
Session 6 10:35 AM - 12:30 PM	Session 6A \| Market Dynamics and Bankability Accelerated project delivery strengthens global competitiveness Paul Holden, Critical Minerals Queensland Transparent market design for lithium: Order books, price normalisation and quality adjusted auctions Lichoo Tay, Digital Finance Co-operative Research Centre Achieving bankability in critical minerals: Market, offtake and financing considerations Govind Goenka, Pacific Continental Resources Technology risk addressal in valuing assets containing novel commodity processing technologies Sidharth Talan, Hatch An investor perspective on critical minerals opportunities Ralph Breaden, Critical Minerals Queensland Q&A + Discussion (Session 6A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 6B \| Strategy & Future Supply From exploration to refining: Is Australia innovating where value is created? Robert Wulff, Griffith Hack Supporting Australia’s critical minerals strategy through applied processing research Keith Barnard, CSIRO Strengthening Australia’s critical minerals competitiveness: LCA and supply chain data as strategic trade tools Phoebe Whattoff, Minviro Modelling scenarios for future mineral supply considering uncertain exploration outcomes and ESG risks Stephen Northey, University of Technology Sydney, Institute For Sustainable Futures Stockpiling or recycling? Country-specific strategies for EV battery mineral security Yitian Wang, Monash University Q&A + Discussion (Session 6B) Q&A + Discussion,
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 2)
Session 7 1:30 PM - 3:25 PM	Session 7A \| Sovereign Capability Partnerships as enablers of integrated rare earth supply chains: Lessons from emerging industry models Annaliese Eames, Australian Strategic Materials Limited Strengthening Indo-Pacific critical mineral supply chains: Opportunities for regional collaboration in the battery ecosystem Amandeep Gill, Hatch Digging into Australia’s ‘sweet spot’ on critical minerals Darrin Usher, GHD A regional blueprint for Australia’s critical minerals future: The Mackay & Greater Whitsunday model Jodie Thompson, Greater Whitsunday Alliance From resources to systems: Rethinking Sovereign capability in critical minerals Vlado Vivoda, Deakin University Q&A + Discussion (Session 7A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 7B \| Discovery & Resource Development Collaborative assessment of legacy materials: Potential to improve environmental outcomes and unlock copper and cobalt value at Mt Oxide Mark Longbottom, True North Copper From Discovery to Development: A beneficiation-first approach for the Jupiter clay-hosted REE deposit Thi Thu Hien-Dinh, Critica Limited Critical Mineralogy – Where client’s needs meet real world mineral assemblages Carsten Laukamp, CSIRO Novel fluorescence for spodumene imaging Aaron Baensch, TeraGlo Q&A + Discussion (Session 7B) Q&A + Discussion,
3:25 PM - 3:55 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 2)
3:55 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 8 \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Panel Discussion, Panellist \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Paul Holden, Critical Minerals Queensland Panellist \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Nicole Roocke, Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia Day 2 Closing Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM	Networking Function

	Stream A	Stream B
7:15 AM - 8:15 AM	Breakfast Session \| First Nations Partnership and Co-Design in Critical Minerals Development Guest Speaker Gavin Martin, WSP Facilitator Jenny Agnew, Sedgman
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 2)
8:30 AM - 10:05 AM	Session 5 \| Day 2 Welcome and Opening Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair Ministerial Address Honourable Dale Last MP, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines; Minister for Manufacturing; Minister for Regional and Rural Development Keynote Presentation Keynote Presenter, Keynote Presentation \| Critical Metals for Critical Industries (CMCI) CRC: Catalysing Australia’s sovereign refining capability Neville Plint, Critical Metals for Critical Industries (CMCI) Cooperative Research Centre (CRC)
10:05 AM - 10:35 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 2)
Session 6 10:35 AM - 12:30 PM	Session 6A \| Market Dynamics and Bankability Accelerated project delivery strengthens global competitiveness Paul Holden, Critical Minerals Queensland Transparent market design for lithium: Order books, price normalisation and quality adjusted auctions Lichoo Tay, Digital Finance Co-operative Research Centre Achieving bankability in critical minerals: Market, offtake and financing considerations Govind Goenka, Pacific Continental Resources Technology risk addressal in valuing assets containing novel commodity processing technologies Sidharth Talan, Hatch An investor perspective on critical minerals opportunities Ralph Breaden, Critical Minerals Queensland Q&A + Discussion (Session 6A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 6B \| Strategy & Future Supply From exploration to refining: Is Australia innovating where value is created? Robert Wulff, Griffith Hack Supporting Australia’s critical minerals strategy through applied processing research Keith Barnard, CSIRO Strengthening Australia’s critical minerals competitiveness: LCA and supply chain data as strategic trade tools Phoebe Whattoff, Minviro Modelling scenarios for future mineral supply considering uncertain exploration outcomes and ESG risks Stephen Northey, University of Technology Sydney, Institute For Sustainable Futures Stockpiling or recycling? Country-specific strategies for EV battery mineral security Yitian Wang, Monash University Q&A + Discussion (Session 6B) Q&A + Discussion,
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 2)
Session 7 1:30 PM - 3:25 PM	Session 7A \| Sovereign Capability Partnerships as enablers of integrated rare earth supply chains: Lessons from emerging industry models Annaliese Eames, Australian Strategic Materials Limited Strengthening Indo-Pacific critical mineral supply chains: Opportunities for regional collaboration in the battery ecosystem Amandeep Gill, Hatch Digging into Australia’s ‘sweet spot’ on critical minerals Darrin Usher, GHD A regional blueprint for Australia’s critical minerals future: The Mackay & Greater Whitsunday model Jodie Thompson, Greater Whitsunday Alliance From resources to systems: Rethinking Sovereign capability in critical minerals Vlado Vivoda, Deakin University Q&A + Discussion (Session 7A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 7B \| Discovery & Resource Development Collaborative assessment of legacy materials: Potential to improve environmental outcomes and unlock copper and cobalt value at Mt Oxide Mark Longbottom, True North Copper From Discovery to Development: A beneficiation-first approach for the Jupiter clay-hosted REE deposit Thi Thu Hien-Dinh, Critica Limited Critical Mineralogy – Where client’s needs meet real world mineral assemblages Carsten Laukamp, CSIRO Novel fluorescence for spodumene imaging Aaron Baensch, TeraGlo Q&A + Discussion (Session 7B) Q&A + Discussion,
3:25 PM - 3:55 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 2)
3:55 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 8 \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Panel Discussion, Panellist \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Paul Holden, Critical Minerals Queensland Panellist \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Nicole Roocke, Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia Day 2 Closing Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM	Networking Function

	Stream A
7:15 AM - 8:15 AM	Breakfast Session \| First Nations Partnership and Co-Design in Critical Minerals Development Guest Speaker Gavin Martin, WSP Facilitator Jenny Agnew, Sedgman
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 2)
8:30 AM - 10:05 AM	Session 5 \| Day 2 Welcome and Opening Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair Ministerial Address Honourable Dale Last MP, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines; Minister for Manufacturing; Minister for Regional and Rural Development Keynote Presentation Keynote Presenter, Keynote Presentation \| Critical Metals for Critical Industries (CMCI) CRC: Catalysing Australia’s sovereign refining capability Neville Plint, Critical Metals for Critical Industries (CMCI) Cooperative Research Centre (CRC)
10:05 AM - 10:35 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 2)
Session 6 10:35 AM - 12:30 PM	Session 6A \| Market Dynamics and Bankability Accelerated project delivery strengthens global competitiveness Paul Holden, Critical Minerals Queensland Transparent market design for lithium: Order books, price normalisation and quality adjusted auctions Lichoo Tay, Digital Finance Co-operative Research Centre Achieving bankability in critical minerals: Market, offtake and financing considerations Govind Goenka, Pacific Continental Resources Technology risk addressal in valuing assets containing novel commodity processing technologies Sidharth Talan, Hatch An investor perspective on critical minerals opportunities Ralph Breaden, Critical Minerals Queensland Q&A + Discussion (Session 6A) Q&A + Discussion,
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 2)
Session 7 1:30 PM - 3:25 PM	Session 7A \| Sovereign Capability Partnerships as enablers of integrated rare earth supply chains: Lessons from emerging industry models Annaliese Eames, Australian Strategic Materials Limited Strengthening Indo-Pacific critical mineral supply chains: Opportunities for regional collaboration in the battery ecosystem Amandeep Gill, Hatch Digging into Australia’s ‘sweet spot’ on critical minerals Darrin Usher, GHD A regional blueprint for Australia’s critical minerals future: The Mackay & Greater Whitsunday model Jodie Thompson, Greater Whitsunday Alliance From resources to systems: Rethinking Sovereign capability in critical minerals Vlado Vivoda, Deakin University Q&A + Discussion (Session 7A) Q&A + Discussion,
3:25 PM - 3:55 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 2)
3:55 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 8 \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Panel Discussion, Panellist \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Paul Holden, Critical Minerals Queensland Panellist \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Nicole Roocke, Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia Day 2 Closing Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM	Networking Function

	Stream B
7:15 AM - 8:15 AM	Breakfast Session \| First Nations Partnership and Co-Design in Critical Minerals Development Guest Speaker Gavin Martin, WSP Facilitator Jenny Agnew, Sedgman
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 2)
8:30 AM - 10:05 AM	Session 5 \| Day 2 Welcome and Opening Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair Ministerial Address Honourable Dale Last MP, Minister for Natural Resources and Mines; Minister for Manufacturing; Minister for Regional and Rural Development Keynote Presentation Keynote Presenter, Keynote Presentation \| Critical Metals for Critical Industries (CMCI) CRC: Catalysing Australia’s sovereign refining capability Neville Plint, Critical Metals for Critical Industries (CMCI) Cooperative Research Centre (CRC)
10:05 AM - 10:35 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 2)
Session 6 10:35 AM - 12:30 PM	Session 6B \| Strategy & Future Supply From exploration to refining: Is Australia innovating where value is created? Robert Wulff, Griffith Hack Supporting Australia’s critical minerals strategy through applied processing research Keith Barnard, CSIRO Strengthening Australia’s critical minerals competitiveness: LCA and supply chain data as strategic trade tools Phoebe Whattoff, Minviro Modelling scenarios for future mineral supply considering uncertain exploration outcomes and ESG risks Stephen Northey, University of Technology Sydney, Institute For Sustainable Futures Stockpiling or recycling? Country-specific strategies for EV battery mineral security Yitian Wang, Monash University Q&A + Discussion (Session 6B) Q&A + Discussion,
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 2)
Session 7 1:30 PM - 3:25 PM	Session 7B \| Discovery & Resource Development Collaborative assessment of legacy materials: Potential to improve environmental outcomes and unlock copper and cobalt value at Mt Oxide Mark Longbottom, True North Copper From Discovery to Development: A beneficiation-first approach for the Jupiter clay-hosted REE deposit Thi Thu Hien-Dinh, Critica Limited Critical Mineralogy – Where client’s needs meet real world mineral assemblages Carsten Laukamp, CSIRO Novel fluorescence for spodumene imaging Aaron Baensch, TeraGlo Q&A + Discussion (Session 7B) Q&A + Discussion,
3:25 PM - 3:55 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 2)
3:55 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 8 \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Panel Discussion, Panellist \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Paul Holden, Critical Minerals Queensland Panellist \| Common User Processing Facilities; white elephant or essential infrastructure? Nicole Roocke, Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia Day 2 Closing Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM	Networking Function

Wednesday, September 23, 2026

	Stream A	Stream B
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 3)
8:30 AM - 10:05 AM	Session 9 \| Day 3 Welcome and Opening Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair Details to be released soon. Panel Discussion,
10:05 AM - 10:35 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 3)
Session 10 10:35 AM - 12:30 PM	Session 10A \| Sustainability Baselines, Waste Revalorisation and Environmental Risk Accelerating regional development through place-based approaches: Baseline studies to de-risk critical mineral projects – A Julia Creek – Richmond critical minerals zone case study Ben Johns, Critical Minerals Queensland Baseline environmental studies for the development of oil shale-hosted vanadium projects Mansour Edraki, The University of Queensland Revalorising historical tin mine wastes: A sustainable source of In, Sn, Sb, W and Bi Steve Chingwaru, The University of Queensland Integrating mine waste remediation with the material demands of the sustainable energy transition Lauren Roper, Queensland University of Technology Antimony as a critical mineral: Geochemical controls on mobility, environmental risk, and sustainable management in mining system Niloofar Karimian, CSIRO Q&A + Discussion (Session 10A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 10B \| REE Processing & Alternate Sources Recovery of rare earths from the siliceous waste stream of industrial mineral processing. Lev Filippov, University of Lorraine Optical sorting for coarse REE pre-concentration by ink-coating and magnetic lifting Hongli Su, Delft University of Technology Thermal pretreatment for selective recovery of rare earth elements from permanent magnet waste Ren Tao, Royal Institute of Technology Effect of low temperature alkaline treatment on the oxidation of end-of-life NdFeB Rakesh Velpoor, Swinburne University of Technology Q&A + Discussion (Session 10B) Q&A + Discussion,
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 3)
Session 11 1:30 PM - 3:25 PM	Session 11A \| Geopolitics - Strategy & Risk Global maps showing country shares of critical minerals production in mining and processing stages Sean Xun, U.S. Geological Survey From ore to leverage: Managing geopolitical and sovereign risk in critical minerals supply chains Mukhamad Mansur, Vale Indonesia Critical minerals for energy and supply network risks in the Indo-Pacific Benjamin McLellan, Kyoto University Redrawing the investment map: Government intervention and the evolution of critical minerals transactions for ASX companies Charles Schofield, AJ&Co Lawyers Q&A + Discussion (Session 11A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 11B \| Future Directions OpenCu: An open-source framework for evaluating renewables integration in the copper value chain Rasmeet Singh, University of New South Wales(UNSW) - School of Minerals and Energy Resources An investigation into the current leading solid state battery chemistry options; the precursor materials and the processing requirements Andrew Millar, Idemitsu Australia Pty Ltd Unlocking secondary resources through mineral spatial mapping and ore sorting Sara Couperthwaite, Queensland University of Technology Selective copper, nickel and cobalt recovery from acid mine drainage using ion-exchange technologies John Outram, Queensland University of Technology Critical metal inventory of Australia's mine waste - What's next? From aspiration to delivery Anita Parbhakar-Fox, KCB Q&A + Discussion (Session 11B) Q&A + Discussion,
3:25 PM - 3:55 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 3)
3:55 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 12 \| Closing Plenary Keynote Presentation \| John Coyne, Australian Strategic Policy Institute Presentation Awards & Conference Close Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

	Stream A	Stream B
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 3)
8:30 AM - 10:05 AM	Session 9 \| Day 3 Welcome and Opening Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair Details to be released soon. Panel Discussion,
10:05 AM - 10:35 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 3)
Session 10 10:35 AM - 12:30 PM	Session 10A \| Sustainability Baselines, Waste Revalorisation and Environmental Risk Accelerating regional development through place-based approaches: Baseline studies to de-risk critical mineral projects – A Julia Creek – Richmond critical minerals zone case study Ben Johns, Critical Minerals Queensland Baseline environmental studies for the development of oil shale-hosted vanadium projects Mansour Edraki, The University of Queensland Revalorising historical tin mine wastes: A sustainable source of In, Sn, Sb, W and Bi Steve Chingwaru, The University of Queensland Integrating mine waste remediation with the material demands of the sustainable energy transition Lauren Roper, Queensland University of Technology Antimony as a critical mineral: Geochemical controls on mobility, environmental risk, and sustainable management in mining system Niloofar Karimian, CSIRO Q&A + Discussion (Session 10A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 10B \| REE Processing & Alternate Sources Recovery of rare earths from the siliceous waste stream of industrial mineral processing. Lev Filippov, University of Lorraine Optical sorting for coarse REE pre-concentration by ink-coating and magnetic lifting Hongli Su, Delft University of Technology Thermal pretreatment for selective recovery of rare earth elements from permanent magnet waste Ren Tao, Royal Institute of Technology Effect of low temperature alkaline treatment on the oxidation of end-of-life NdFeB Rakesh Velpoor, Swinburne University of Technology Q&A + Discussion (Session 10B) Q&A + Discussion,
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 3)
Session 11 1:30 PM - 3:25 PM	Session 11A \| Geopolitics - Strategy & Risk Global maps showing country shares of critical minerals production in mining and processing stages Sean Xun, U.S. Geological Survey From ore to leverage: Managing geopolitical and sovereign risk in critical minerals supply chains Mukhamad Mansur, Vale Indonesia Critical minerals for energy and supply network risks in the Indo-Pacific Benjamin McLellan, Kyoto University Redrawing the investment map: Government intervention and the evolution of critical minerals transactions for ASX companies Charles Schofield, AJ&Co Lawyers Q&A + Discussion (Session 11A) Q&A + Discussion,	Session 11B \| Future Directions OpenCu: An open-source framework for evaluating renewables integration in the copper value chain Rasmeet Singh, University of New South Wales(UNSW) - School of Minerals and Energy Resources An investigation into the current leading solid state battery chemistry options; the precursor materials and the processing requirements Andrew Millar, Idemitsu Australia Pty Ltd Unlocking secondary resources through mineral spatial mapping and ore sorting Sara Couperthwaite, Queensland University of Technology Selective copper, nickel and cobalt recovery from acid mine drainage using ion-exchange technologies John Outram, Queensland University of Technology Critical metal inventory of Australia's mine waste - What's next? From aspiration to delivery Anita Parbhakar-Fox, KCB Q&A + Discussion (Session 11B) Q&A + Discussion,
3:25 PM - 3:55 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 3)
3:55 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 12 \| Closing Plenary Keynote Presentation \| John Coyne, Australian Strategic Policy Institute Presentation Awards & Conference Close Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

	Stream A
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 3)
8:30 AM - 10:05 AM	Session 9 \| Day 3 Welcome and Opening Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair Details to be released soon. Panel Discussion,
10:05 AM - 10:35 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 3)
Session 10 10:35 AM - 12:30 PM	Session 10A \| Sustainability Baselines, Waste Revalorisation and Environmental Risk Accelerating regional development through place-based approaches: Baseline studies to de-risk critical mineral projects – A Julia Creek – Richmond critical minerals zone case study Ben Johns, Critical Minerals Queensland Baseline environmental studies for the development of oil shale-hosted vanadium projects Mansour Edraki, The University of Queensland Revalorising historical tin mine wastes: A sustainable source of In, Sn, Sb, W and Bi Steve Chingwaru, The University of Queensland Integrating mine waste remediation with the material demands of the sustainable energy transition Lauren Roper, Queensland University of Technology Antimony as a critical mineral: Geochemical controls on mobility, environmental risk, and sustainable management in mining system Niloofar Karimian, CSIRO Q&A + Discussion (Session 10A) Q&A + Discussion,
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 3)
Session 11 1:30 PM - 3:25 PM	Session 11A \| Geopolitics - Strategy & Risk Global maps showing country shares of critical minerals production in mining and processing stages Sean Xun, U.S. Geological Survey From ore to leverage: Managing geopolitical and sovereign risk in critical minerals supply chains Mukhamad Mansur, Vale Indonesia Critical minerals for energy and supply network risks in the Indo-Pacific Benjamin McLellan, Kyoto University Redrawing the investment map: Government intervention and the evolution of critical minerals transactions for ASX companies Charles Schofield, AJ&Co Lawyers Q&A + Discussion (Session 11A) Q&A + Discussion,
3:25 PM - 3:55 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 3)
3:55 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 12 \| Closing Plenary Keynote Presentation \| John Coyne, Australian Strategic Policy Institute Presentation Awards & Conference Close Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

	Stream B
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM	Registration Opens & Arrival Networking (Day 3)
8:30 AM - 10:05 AM	Session 9 \| Day 3 Welcome and Opening Remarks Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair Details to be released soon. Panel Discussion,
10:05 AM - 10:35 AM	Morning Tea and Exhibition (Day 3)
Session 10 10:35 AM - 12:30 PM	Session 10B \| REE Processing & Alternate Sources Recovery of rare earths from the siliceous waste stream of industrial mineral processing. Lev Filippov, University of Lorraine Optical sorting for coarse REE pre-concentration by ink-coating and magnetic lifting Hongli Su, Delft University of Technology Thermal pretreatment for selective recovery of rare earth elements from permanent magnet waste Ren Tao, Royal Institute of Technology Effect of low temperature alkaline treatment on the oxidation of end-of-life NdFeB Rakesh Velpoor, Swinburne University of Technology Q&A + Discussion (Session 10B) Q&A + Discussion,
12:30 PM - 1:30 PM	Lunch and Exhibition (Day 3)
Session 11 1:30 PM - 3:25 PM	Session 11B \| Future Directions OpenCu: An open-source framework for evaluating renewables integration in the copper value chain Rasmeet Singh, University of New South Wales(UNSW) - School of Minerals and Energy Resources An investigation into the current leading solid state battery chemistry options; the precursor materials and the processing requirements Andrew Millar, Idemitsu Australia Pty Ltd Unlocking secondary resources through mineral spatial mapping and ore sorting Sara Couperthwaite, Queensland University of Technology Selective copper, nickel and cobalt recovery from acid mine drainage using ion-exchange technologies John Outram, Queensland University of Technology Critical metal inventory of Australia's mine waste - What's next? From aspiration to delivery Anita Parbhakar-Fox, KCB Q&A + Discussion (Session 11B) Q&A + Discussion,
3:25 PM - 3:55 PM	Afternoon Tea and Exhibition (Day 3)
3:55 PM - 5:00 PM	Session 12 \| Closing Plenary Keynote Presentation \| John Coyne, Australian Strategic Policy Institute Presentation Awards & Conference Close Helen Degeling, 2026 AusIMM Critical Minerals Conference Chair

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