Critical Minerals Thesis

Circular Economy Innovation for Australia’s Critical Minerals

Australia’s future in critical minerals depends on more than discovering new deposits. It relies on using our existing resources more efficiently. As highlighted in the Critical Minerals Thesis, one of the greatest opportunities lies in developing technologies that recover value from current materials and minimise waste across the mining value chain.

The RCOE Stage 2 Future Industries Hub Flexi-Lab has been purpose built to support this shift. The Flexi-Lab offers a collaborative environment where industry, researchers and innovators can trial advanced processing techniques, test circular recovery solutions and explore technologies that extend the lifespan of valuable materials.

From reprocessing tailings to validating new flowsheet designs, the Flexi-Lab enables mining companies to transform waste into opportunity, reduce environmental impacts and strengthen Australia’s supply chain resilience.

Smart minerals. Less waste. More value. This is the circular economy in action.