Workshop
Workshop
Introduction to Critical Minerals Processing
Summary
This one-day workshop provides an introduction to the geological and processing challenges associated with critical minerals. Led by expert researchers in geoscience, mineral processing, and metallurgy, the program follows the value chain from ore formation through downstream processing and extraction. The workshop covers key domains including geology and geochemistry, mineral characterisation, comminution, beneficiation, hydrometallurgy, and high-temperature processing. Practical insights are reinforced through case studies, alongside discussion of emerging technologies and innovative processing approaches for critical minerals, including rare earth elements. It is suited to industry professionals, researchers, government stakeholders, and students seeking to build or strengthen their foundational knowledge.
Registration
Workshops can be purchased with a Critical Minerals Conference 2026 registration. If you wish to include this workshop in your registration, please select the additional workshop option in your registration form. If you have already registered to attend the Critical Minerals Conference 2026 and wish to add the workshop to your registration, please contact conference@ausimm.com.
Presenters
Prof Nick Cook
Prof Nick Cook is the Acting Director of the WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre, part of The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute. Nick specialises in multi-disciplinary mineral exploration, structural geology, sulphide mineralogy, and geometallurgy. He oversees research bridging the gap between exploration geology and mineral processing.
A/Prof Liza Forbes
A/Prof Liza Forbes is the Group Leader – Flotation Chemistry at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, part of The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute. She is also the Technical Director of the Coarse Particle Research Program and the UQ node leader of the ARC CoE for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals. Liza specialises in flotation, with a specific focus on flotation reagent chemistry, mineral surface chemistry and base-metal sulphide electrochemistry. Her main interest lies in integrating fundamental and applied aspects of flotation research to develop new and improved processing technologies.
A/Prof James Vaughan
A/Prof James Vaughan is the Chemical Engineering Metallurgy Major Lead and Leader of the Hydrometallurgy Research Group at The University of Queensland. Before joining UQ, James gained industrial metallurgical process research and development experience with Glencore, Barrick and BHP. While at UQ, James also served as Director of the University of Queensland Rio Tinto Bauxite & Alumina Technology Centre. James' research focuses on the fundamental aspects of leaching, ion exchange and precipitation reactions as well as membrane separations.
Dr Marko Hilden
Dr Marko Hilden is a Senior Research Fellow at The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute. His research focuses on comminution, ore characterisation, soft sensor development, as well as milling, liberation, and mineral texture modelling.
Dr Meng Sun
Meng Sun is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The University of Queensland's Sustainable Minerals Institute. His research interests include ironmaking decarbonisation and green extraction of critical metals. He has authored over 30 SCI-indexed publications and currently serves as a Guest Editor for two international journals.
Ms Lizette Verster
Lizette Verster is a Senior Research Fellow at The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute. She has more than 15 years of industry experience in minerals processing of precious metals, copper and iron ore. She joined the Julius Kruttscnitt Mineral Research Centre in 2019, and her research focuses on understanding and characterising novel flotation technologies, such as the Jameson cell and fluidised bed flotation, to increase processing efficiency and improve mining sustainability.
PD Hours
8
Date and time
Thursday 24 September 2026
9:00am - 5:00pm
Location
Lecture Theatre, The University of Queensland, Sustainable Minerals Institute, Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre, 40 Isles Road, Indooroopilly
Cost
AusIMM Member: $600
Non Member: $700
Catering
Includes day catering (morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea) and a bus service from the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre to the workshop venue and back.
Maximum participants
50
