UNSW Sydney and its partners introduced a research hub for new mining methods at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) 2026 in Australia.
The Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub for Next Generation Mining Methods, known as NextGenMIN, is based at UNSW and will focus on critical minerals and strategic materials.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The hub has approximately A$27m ($19m) in combined cash and in-kind contributions, including the ARC’s A$5m.
It brings together UNSW, over 20 industry partners and government and five other Australian universities. The NSW government and Epiroc are among the partners involved in its introduction.
NextGenMIN will develop mining processes and systems using advanced equipment and smart digital systems. Its work is intended to support the industry’s ambitions for zero emissions, zero waste, and zero human entry to mines, while enhancing productivity and safety.
UNSW’s School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering Mining Engineering chair professor Serkan Saydam said IMARC provided an opportunity to introduce NextGenMIN to the international mining community and its partners.
Epiroc Australia GM and MD Jerome Cloue said: “While the world is requiring more minerals, and safer and more sustainable solutions, we know the companies, governments and academia cannot solve these problems on their own.
“That is why NextGenMIN makes a lot of sense as it is gathering us all together to find the solutions to some of the challenges that mining is going though.”
The project comes as NSW focuses on its critical mineral resources. The state sees an opportunity to respond to growing global demand associated with investment in renewable energy, electric vehicles and other advanced technologies.
Minister for Natural Resources Courtney Houssos said mining directly employs around 31,000 people in NSW, while 7500 businesses are part of its wider supply chain.
The industry invests more than $14bn a year, largely in regional communities, the minister added.
