Critical Disruptors:
From Discovery to Recovery

 

Where innovators redefine how we discover, recover and reuse the world’s essential elements.

The Global Open Innovation Colab is a new international partnership program designed to accelerate practical innovation in critical minerals.

Led by Austmine in collaboration with Expande, the Peru Mining Innovation Hub, and the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation, the Colab connects innovators and researchers with industry and innovation hub networks to help move high-potential solutions closer to real-world application.

The first Colab challenge will be hosted at GRX26 in Perth.


 

Global Open Innovation Colab

Global Challenge

Accelerated Exploration to Extraction

The GRX26 Colab focuses on Discovery & Exploration from New Deposits.

As demand for critical minerals accelerates, the industry needs new approaches to locate, map, and economically extract minerals from increasingly complex deposits — faster, with greater precision, and with reduced environmental impact.

The Global Open Innovation Colab brings together emerging technology companies from around the world to address one of the mining sector’s most pressing challenges: accelerating the development of critical minerals to meet growing global demand. 

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These finalists represent a diverse cross-section of technologies and approaches. Their submissions span advanced extraction methods, process innovation, and digital solutions designed to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and support faster project development. 

Selected by a global panel of industry experts, the finalists were assessed on innovation, scalability, commercial readiness and their potential to deliver practical outcomes for mining operations. 


 

Meet the Finalists

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Acceleware

Acceleware

Canada
Ñandú

Ñandú

Chile
WIDMO

WIDMO

Poland
IBT Robotic Systems

IBT Robotic Systems

OptiClino, Australia
ELEMISSION

ELEMISSION

Canada
DUNDEE Sustainable Technologies

DUNDEE Sustainable Technologies

Canada

    How it Works

    1. Submit

    5 – 26 March 2026

    Submit your solution

    2. Selection

    27 March – 6 April 2026

    Top finalists selected by global experts

    3. Develop

    9 April – 4 May 2026

    Mentoring + preparation for GRX

    4. Pitch Live

    5 – 7 May 2026

    Present at GRX26 to industry leaders

    Finalists will be embedded in the GRX26 program through:

    The GRX26 Colab Winner Receives:

    AUD $10,000 Cash Prize

    The winning innovation will receive AUD $10,000 in prize funding to advance development, testing, or commercialisation activities.

    International Business Development Opportunity

    The GRX26 Colab winner will also receive a business class return airfare with LATAM Airlines to present their solution at EXPOSIBRAM, 24–27 August 2026, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil — one of Latin America’s largest and most influential mining exhibitions.

    Global Media Exposure

    Enjoy extensive international coverage across media partners, online platforms, and industry publications. Your success will be amplified through joint promotions by leading innovation hubs in Australia, Canada, Chile, and Peru, positioning your technology at the forefront of global mining innovation.

    Global Resources Innovation Expo

    Key Dates

    • Submissions open: 5 March 2026
    • Submissions close: 26 March 2026
    • Finalists notified: 8 April 2026
    • Colab Connect Workshop: 5 May 2026
    • Live Pitch: 7 May 2026

    For more information about the GRX26 Colab contact international@austmine.com.au.
     

    Innovation Hub Partners

    Peru Hub Expande CEMI

    Flight Partner

    LATAM