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What is MinEx CRC?
Now in its seventh year of research, MinEx CRC is focused on a new set of exploration tools and new ways to deploy those tools that recognise the fundamental importance of collecting quantity and quality data from the subsurface.
MinEx CRC is focused on developing more productive, safer and environmentally-friendly drilling methods to discover and drill-out deposits. This includes pioneering work on coiled tubing (CT) drilling technology and innovations in diamond and RC drilling techniques aimed at improved drilling optimisation and automation.
In parallel, MinEx CRC is developing new technologies for collecting data while drilling. This is being undertaken in four separate industry-led projects utilising geophysical, seismic, downhole analytical and 3D modelling improvements.
A National Drilling Initiative (NDI) is well underway, with drilling programs completed in 2020-2024. The NDI is a world-first collaboration of Geological Surveys, researchers and industry, to undertake drilling in under-explored areas of potential mineral wealth and provide a test-bed for new mineral exploration technologies.
MinEx CRC is the world’s largest mineral exploration collaboration bringing together Industry, Government and Research Organisations, backed by:
- $50M cash from the CRC Program
- $49M cash from geological surveys and industry
- $59M non-staff in-kind
- $75M staff in-kind
TOTAL $233M
Background
Mineral exploration in Australia remained robust in FY25. In the March 2025 quarter, companies spent approximately A$933 million searching for new mineral resources, slightly lower than the previous quarter but higher than the same period last year¹. For the full 2024 calendar year, total exploration expenditure reached A$3.95 billion, with A$2.82 billion focused on existing mining areas (brownfields) and A$1.13 billion on new areas (greenfields)². This sustained level of investment provides a strong foundation for MinEx CRC’s research into technologies that enhance exploration efficiency, reduce costs, and contribute to Australia’s transition to net zero.
Our challenge lies in developing technology to explore for deposits buried under the overlying sand, soil and sediment covering much of Australia.
¹ Australian Bureau of Statistics, Mineral and Petroleum Exploration, Australia – March 2025, A$933 million (seasonally adjusted); –2.4% quarter-on-quarter; –11.4% year-on-year.
² Geoscience Australia, Exploration Statistics, 2024 calendar year totals: A$3.95 billion (total), A$2.82 billion in brownfields, A$1.13 billion in greenfields; breakout by state: WA A$2.51 billion (64%), QLD A$566 million, NSW A$280.5 million.
OUR VISION
An efficient and effective mineral exploration industry, using innovative technology and work practices to deliver the mineral resources required for our future prosperity.
OUR MISSION
To deliver market-ready technology, work practices and knowledge designed to increase the likelihood of mineral discovery and facilitate the transition from discovery to mineral production.
OUR APPROACH
Our innovations will be driven by real-world challenges, underpinned by scientific excellence and backed by rigorous proof-of-performance.
Our success will be demonstrated by improved safety, minimised environmental impact, increased productivity and reduced cost compared to existing exploration practice
PERFORMANCE MEASURES
To achieve our strategic objectives we have implemented a performance management and monitoring framework with milestones and tasks at Project, Program, Board and Commonwealth level:
- Project milestones with a quarterly reporting cycle
- Drilling campaign milestones with continuous monitoring and end of- campaign reporting
- Board approved compliance and performance milestones, quarterly monitoring within an annual cycle
- Compliance milestones of the Commonwealth Agreement, quarterly monitoring within an annual cycle
- Performance milestones of the Commonwealth Agreement, monitored by reference to quarterly project milestones within a three-year reporting cycle
Governance
MinEx CRC Ltd was incorporated in April 2018 to carry out the activities of the Mineral Exploration Cooperative Research Centre. MinEx CRC is a company limited by guarantee, with Participants in the CRC eligible to become company members.
MinEx CRC Ltd operates on a not-for-profit basis and is a registered charity. On 28 March 2019, the Company received notification from the ACNC of its charitable status effective from the date of incorporation. MinEx CRC operates under The Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) regulatory regime. As the Company is a charitable institution it is also exempt from paying income tax.
A copy of the MinEx CRC Whistleblowers Policy can be accessed in the HR section of the Publications page here
MinEx CRC is governed by an independent skills-based Board. The Board are accountable to a number of stakeholders, including the Australian Government through the Commonwealth Agreement, our Participants through the respective Participants Agreement and Affiliate Agreements, and our Members through the Constitution. In addition to monitoring the performance of the MinEx CRC, the Board plays an important role in the approval and regular review of MinEx CRC funded projects to ensure that research is aligned with its objectives.
The roles, responsibilities, delegations and authorities of the Board, the respective Committees of the Board and of Management are defined in the MinEx CRC Corporate Governance Manual, which is the key corporate governance reference of the Company. A key component of the governance structure are Board Committees, all of which are directed by their own Committee Charters/Terms of Reference. These Board Committees include the Risk and Audit Committee, Remuneration Committee, the Commercialisation Committee and the Nomination and Selection Committee (NSC) whose representatives are elected by the Members in accordance with the MinEx CRC Constitution.
MinEx CRC’s governance framework has been set up to ensure transparent accountability to all stakeholders.
MinEx CRC is dual-headquartered. The registered office is located at the Curtin University Drilling Analytics Research Centre (DARC), Bentley, West Australia. The secondary office is located at the Future Industries Institute of the University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Adelaide, South Australia.
Corporate Policies
MinEx CRC Whistleblowers Policy