STATE OF INNOVATION Summit Rare Earths - Opportunity Ahead

With the current drive to create 'Lithium Valley' in Western Australia, can Rare Earths mining, processing and separation play a pivotal role in Australia becoming the global advanced materials powerhouse by 2030? Some experts and practitioners certainly think so.

In Japan Rare Earths are referred to as the Seeds of High Technology as they are enablers in small quantities in mobile phones, laptops and compact audio-visual equipment. They are also a critical constituent in high-tech equipment such as medical devices, military defence systems, and today, essential for emerging clean energy and e-mobility technologies.

Despite their name, Rare-Earth Elements (REE) are relatively plentiful in Earth's crust, but economic occurrences are relatively rare. There are 17 rare-earth Elements on the periodic table: Cerium (Ce), Dysprosium (Dy), Erbium (Er), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Holmium (Ho), Lanthanum (La), Lutetium (Lu), Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), Promethium (Pm), Samarium (Sm), Scandium (Sc), Terbium (Tb), Thulium (Tm), Ytterbium (Yb), and Yttrium (Y), which always occur together.  

In 2010 Chinese government reduced its export quotas by 40%, sending the rare earth prices in the markets outside China soaring. Since Beijing could keep rare earths off the market, depriving many American and European manufacturers of the minerals they need, the United States government has drawn up a list of crucial strategic materials and is investigating the development of alternatives sources of supply. Rare Earth Elements are on that list. 

Australia has an abundance of the rare earth minerals. Coupled with our mining expertise, rare earth production capability and responsible environmental practices, Australia is in a unique position to become a reliable and sustainable global supplier of rare earths, along with lithium and other advanced materials.

MC/MODERATOR

Senator Linda Reynolds

OPENING REMARKS

Professor Peter Klinken Chief Scientist of Western Australia

PRESENTERS / PANELLISTS

Professor Ray Wills Managing Director of Future Smart Strategies

Professor Daniel Packey Head of the Department of Mineral and Energy Economics

Professor Dudley Kingsnorth Executive Director, Industrial Minerals Company of Australia (IMCOA) 

Adrian Griffin CEO at Lithium Australia

George Bauk Managing Director / CEO at Northern Minerals

Kristin Berger A/Deputy Director General Industry Regulation and Consumer Protection at Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety

The presentations will be followed by a Q&A session and a general discussion moderated by Senator Linda Reynolds

This event is free to attend, but you must register for tickets.

To register for tickets please click here

This event has been organised by Innovate Australia

Innovate Australia encourages, assists and promotes Australian innovation. The not-for-profit and non-partisan organisation works with industry and academia to uncover innovation, encourages new innovations, develops programs and forms innovation networks. Innovate Australia aims to be an independent conduit for viable ideas. 

Innovate Australia operates independently of government, industry and universities, however works with a range of stakeholders on unique and forward thinking projects across Australia. Services provided include, but are not limited to consulting, think-tanks, connecting firms undertaking innovative projects and marketing of organisations embarking on their innovation journeys. 

To suggest an event or to propose the next presenter for one of our networking meetings, or just for more informaion please contact Peter Kasprzak or Dr Adam Osseiran.