A team of researchers at UNSW Sydney has developed an interactive modelling framework known as the Green Minerals Platform to help government bodies and resource companies navigate the complex economics of critical mineral supply chains.
Led by Scientia Associate Professor Rahman Daiyan from the School of Mineral and Energy Resources Engineering, the project brings together interdisciplinary expertise to evaluate how technology choices, energy sources, processing locations and transport routes impact overall production costs and carbon emissions.
As global demand surges for vital inputs like lithium, copper and rare earths, particularly under the federal government’s Future Made in Australia agenda, stakeholders face increasing pressure to balance financial viability with environmental targets.
The new digital tool acts as a decision-support system, allowing users to run simulations on alternative processing pathways, test the integration of renewable energy, and assess the influence of changing trade policies and carbon pricing.
“Critical minerals supply chains involve complex decisions about technologies, energy systems, processing locations and market conditions. By bringing together expertise from different disciplines, we can develop tools that help industry and government better understand these challenges,” Daiyan said.
“What we are developing is a platform that brings together expertise from across our research teams and translates that knowledge into practical tools. We want to help industry and governments compare different options, understand the trade-offs and make decisions based on sound technical and economic analysis.”
The platform draws on contributions from an extensive research team, including PhD and postdoctoral fellows focusing on specific value chains such as lithium, copper, green iron, rare earth oxides, and domestic gallium recovery. Senior academics including Professors Iain MacGill, Ismet Canbulat, and Serkan Saydam also provide strategic direction, merging mineral processing insights with energy systems modeling.
Developers hope the technology will bridge the gap between academic research and practical industry application.
By offering transparent, data-driven insights, the platform aims to assist mining firms in evaluating risk, guide investors on capital allocation, and help policymakers formulate frameworks that enhance Australia’s sovereign processing capabilities well into the future.
