Key points
- Our Discovery program addresses the challenges of resources and discovery through sustainable and environmentally responsible approaches from space-based sensors to 3D geological modelling.
- The team's research promises to support Australia's position at the forefront of critical mineral discovery and the global transition to clean energy.
- Three of our early career researchers from the Discovery program sit down with us and tell us what they do and what they see for the future of their research.
As global demand for critical minerals surges, our Discovery Program, led by Dr Sandra Occhipinti, is addressing the challenges of declining resources and discovery rates through innovative, sustainable and environmentally responsible approaches ranging from space-based sensors to 3D geological modelling.
The Discovery team comprises around 90 people across Perth, Melbourne, and Sydney including early career scientists with diverse backgrounds. The team’s pioneering research promises to support Australia’s position at the forefront of critical mineral discovery and the global transition to clean energy.
We sat down with three bright early career researchers from this program to learn about their groundbreaking work and visions for the future of mineral exploration.
Jo Miles: mapping minerals from space
Your work involves some pretty high-tech tools. Can you give us a glimpse into your current projects?
My primary work is in spectral science, and I work with hyperspectral sensors like NASA's EMIT (Earth Surface Mineral Dust Source Investigation) sensor on the International Space Station.
We're creating new ways to investigate Australian geology through reflectance spectroscopy, giving insights into bedrock composition and surface mineralisation.
I collaborate with an incredible team of geologists, software engineers and data architects, who build the processing infrastructure to make this possible.
How does your PhD research on volcanic islands inform your current work?
My PhD focused on how hot, metal-rich fluids interact with volcanic rocks over time. I used a mix of methods, airborne hyperspectral data, mineralogy, geochronology, and stable isotopes, to study various metal systems. That experience taught me the power of integrating multiple datasets to reveal the full story of a geological system.
Now at CSIRO, I apply that same principle of data integration to tackle complex exploration challenges.
What excites you most about the future of spectral technologies in mineral exploration?
We're on the cusp of some exciting developments. The spectral community in Australia is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the HyLogger-4, originally developed by CSIRO. It's the first instrument in the world to continuously scan drill core across the entire wavelength range from visible light to thermal infrared.
This will dramatically enhance our understanding of mineral spectral responses, with huge implications for exploration and characterisation. It's an exciting time to be in this field.
Mario Iglesias-Martinez: charting new territories in critical minerals
Your work has taken you across several continents. How does that global perspective shape your approach at CSIRO?
My experiences in Spain, Africa, and now Australia have given me a unique lens on mineral exploration. In Angola, I mapped vast pegmatite fields – over 1,000 pegmatites across hundreds of square kilometres.
Now at CSIRO, I'm applying that knowledge to help Australian companies target lithium-rich pegmatites using remote sensing. It's fascinating to see how insights from one part of the world can unlock discoveries in another.
What's the most surprising thing you've uncovered in your research on rare earth elements (REE)?
One of our most exciting breakthroughs was discovering how REE become distributed and enriched in granitic clays through weathering processes. These anomalously high concentrations extend across a vast area in southwestern Western Australia and beyond.
Understanding these enrichment processes could be a game-changer for Australia's clean energy transition, as it opens up new avenues for sustainable REE development.
Looking ahead, where do you see your career at CSIRO taking you?
In the coming years, I aim to lead projects that bridge my industry knowledge with cutting-edge research. CSIRO offers a unique environment where we can push scientific boundaries while delivering real-world impact for the mining sector.
I'm passionate about driving innovation that shapes the future of sustainable resource development, both in Australia and globally.
Chirantan Parui: unfolding Earth's hidden structures
Your work involves developing new ways to model complex geological structures. Can you explain why this is important for mineral exploration?
Absolutely! Many critical and strategic minerals are hosted in sedimentary basins and mountain belts that have undergone complex deformation over millions of years.
To find these deposits, we need to understand what these geological systems looked like at the time of mineralisation. I'm developing new workflows that allow us to 'unfold' or 'retro-deform' these complex structures in 3D.
This helps reduce the search space for exploration, improving our chances of discovering economically viable deposits.
You've made quite a journey from India to Australia. How has your experience been with us?
It's been transformative, both professionally and personally. Growing up in India, where homosexuality was illegal until recently, I often felt pressure to conform and hide parts of myself in professional settings.
At CSIRO, I've found an incredibly inclusive environment where I can truly be myself. It's been my greatest discovery since joining – that I can be authentic and still thrive in my career. This sense of belonging has been incredibly empowering.
Where do you see your research taking you in the coming years?
In the near term, I'm excited to continue developing innovative approaches to model basin architecture and identify structural controls on mineralisation. Looking further ahead, I hope to lead research teams at CSIRO that help the resource industry discover new critical and strategic mineral deposits. The challenges are significant, but so are the opportunities to make a real impact on Australia's mineral exploration capabilities.