In October 2025, representatives of the Polish Geological Institute – National Research Institute, Joanna Roszkowska-Remin from the Raw Materials Policy Department and Paweł Urbański from the Regional and Deposit Geology Department, joined the EU economic mission to Australia.

The purpose of the trip was to promote the activities of the state geological service, provide substantive support to the Chief National Geologist, and establish contacts with Australian entrepreneurs and geological services. The mission focused on developing the EU-Australia partnership in the field of critical raw materials, especially those crucial for defence, aviation and zero-emission technologies.

The first stage of the trip included a networking meeting between EU delegates and representatives of the Western Australian government and business community. During such events, entrepreneurs and specialists get to know each other, exchange knowledge and experiences, discuss their activities and establish business relationships.

EU delegates learned about the operations of Albemarle's lithium processing plant at Kemerton Industrial Park and the rare earth element refining processes at Lynas Rare Earths in Kalgoorlie. Participants also had the opportunity to see the spectacular ‘The Super Pit’ gold mine, one of the most recognisable sites in Australian mining history. The meeting with representatives of the region's authorities and businesses created a space for discussions on the Australian mining sector's approach to cooperation with the European market.

Members of the EU-Australia mission visiting Albermarle's spodumene lithium processing plant in Kemerton. Photo courtesy of Albermarle

Visiting Lynas Rare Earth's processing plant in Kalgoorlie

One of the many open-pit mines in Western Australia seen from a bird's eye view

The Fimiston open-pit gold mine in Kalgoorlie – commonly known as ‘The Super Pit’

The scale of the mine can only be seen from a distance

The next stage of the mission was a visit to Newcastle, where, thanks to the support of the Polish Embassy in Canberra, a meeting was organised at the largest port on the east coast of Australia, which is key for coal exports. The port's logistics facilities, development directions and opportunities for cooperation with European partners were presented there.

The delegation also visited the University of Newcastle, specifically the departments supporting the mining sector: the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources and the Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals. The university authorities presented the scope of the university's activities as a scientific institution dedicated to supporting business and discussed projects in the field of innovative methods of raw material processing, including simple and effective ore concentration techniques.

Representatives of PGI-NRI visiting the University of Newcastle, Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources

Representatives of PGI-NRI at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney

The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) trade fair in Sydney

An important part of the mission was participation in the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney – one of the world's most important and largest events dedicated to the mining and raw materials sector. During the fair, delegates learned about the latest technologies used in the mining sector, solutions for exploration, extraction and reclamation, and the offerings of numerous technology and exploration companies. Of particular importance to PGI-NRI representatives were meetings with state geological services and discussions at the joint Geoscience Australia and CSIRO stand, where the competences of geological services and models of cooperation with private investors were discussed. During accompanying events, such as the EU-Australia Business Networking Reception, discussions continued on supply chains, net-zero technologies and EU-Australia cooperation.

“Building minerals value chain integration between the EU and Australia” conference during the IMARC trade fair. Address by the Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Chief National Geologist Prof. Krzysztof Galos

The last item on the agenda attended by representatives of PGI-NRI was a visit by the EU delegation to the EQ Resources tungsten mine in Mt. Carbine in northern Queensland. Participants learned about the operations of the mine and the tungsten ore enrichment plant – a raw material of significant importance to the defence industry.

Mt Carbine tungsten mine in northern Queensland. Photo shows quartz veins with scheelite mineralisation

Large clusters of brown-grey and yellow-vitreous scheelite from the Mt Carbine tungsten mine in northern Queensland. Scheelite is clearly visible under UV light (distinct blue luminescence)

A visit to the tungsten mine at Mt Carbine in northern Queensland. Delegates observe the operation of a concentrating (vibrating) table for refining wolframite/schelite

Wolframite concentrate

Australia has enormous potential in terms of critical raw materials, but insufficient processing capacity remains the main constraint. Due to its geographical location, most raw materials in unprocessed form are exported to Asian markets, mainly China, which from the EU's perspective hinders the diversification of supplies.

The mission showed that cooperation with Australia is possible and necessary, especially in the face of global tensions in supply chains. Networking meetings, study visits and informal talks were very important, as they enabled the establishment of business and institutional relations.

From the perspective of PGI-NRI, the most valuable aspects were the talks with geological services and the visit to the University of Newcastle. The exchange of experiences regarding raw material analyses, deposit system research and cooperation with business opens up opportunities for further joint activities.

Text: Joanna Roszkowska-Remin, Paweł Urbański