Murdoch University has officially opened a new Extractive Metallurgy Hub in Rockingham, marking a significant milestone in Western Australia’s transition towards sustainable metals production and a low-carbon future.
The facility is poised to become a cornerstone in developing a $17 billion domestic battery industry by 2030, supporting over 61,000 jobs across Australia.
This cutting-edge research hub focuses on the extraction, processing, and recycling of critical minerals essential for battery technologies and green steel production.
It leverages Western Australia’s rich deposits of vital metals, including lithium — of which WA produces more than half the global supply — and vanadium.
Professor Aleksandar Nikoloski, head of hydrometallurgy research at Murdoch University, said: “This hub represents a significant step forward – not just for Murdoch University, but for the entire state.
“It’s about creating the technologies and skills needed to support a sustainable future, powered by clean energy and circular economies, and promoting collaboration between industry, academia and government.”
Situated near Rio Tinto’s green iron plant in Rockingham, the hub will foster research projects already underway in partnership with major industry players such as Rio Tinto, IGO, Lynas, Tronox, Thorion Energy, and South Korean raw materials giant POSCO.
These collaborative efforts include pioneering advancements in green steel and lithium technologies, complementing Murdoch’s existing five-year partnership with Rio Tinto on lithium innovation.
Professor Nikoloski highlighted the ambitious scope of the hub’s work, stating: “We’re looking at the entire lifecycle of critical minerals – cleaner reagents, cleaner processes, and scalable technologies.
“It takes skill, effort, and collaboration to make real change, and that’s exactly what this hub is designed to foster.”
Specialising in hydrometallurgy, the research group led by Professor Nikoloski focuses on extracting critical metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, rare earths, and vanadium from both primary sources, like ores and secondary sources, including electronic waste, used batteries, and mining residues.
Their efforts are key to building a circular economy where metals are reused indefinitely to support sustainable technologies.
“Battery production is expanding rapidly, but the materials we need are finite and increasingly difficult to source,” Professor Nikoloski explained.
“The good news is metals are essentially indestructible. If we can recycle them effectively, we solve both supply and disposal challenges.”
Backing this initiative, the Mineral Research Institute of Western Australia and the state government’s Investment Attraction Fund — administered by the Department of Energy and Economic Diversification — have provided vital support and grant funding.
The hub also serves as a crucial training ground for future metallurgical engineers and scientists, integrating industry-relevant research into Murdoch’s programs in industrial chemistry and process engineering.
It aims to cover the entire value chain from mining to extraction, battery manufacturing, and recycling, thereby strengthening Australia’s sovereign capability in critical minerals processing.
Professor Nikoloski underscored the regional and national significance: “This is our opportunity to ensure the industry born from these minerals stays right here in Western Australia.
“We’re laying the platform for a future where WA is not just a commodities exporter, but a global renewable technology powerhouse.”
With global battery demand growing at 34 per cent annually, Murdoch University’s Extractive Metallurgy Hub is strategically positioned to lead Western Australia’s role as a key player in the clean energy transition, supporting economic growth and sustainable industry innovation.
