Austmine and AusIMM, together with global mining innovation hub partners Expande (Chile), the Peru Mining Innovation Hub, and the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI, Canada), have announced the six finalists for the Global Open Innovation Colab challenge, Critical Disruptors: From Discovery to Recovery, to be held at the Global Resources Innovation Expo (GRX26) in Perth, Western Australia, from 5–7 May 2026. 

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. 

Following a highly competitive international application process, six companies have been selected to advance to the final stage of the challenge: 

• ELEMISSION (Canada)  

• DUNDEE Sustainable Technologies (Canada)  

• IBT Robotic Systems (OptiClino, Australia)  

• WIDMO (Poland)  

• Ñandú (Chile)  

• Acceleware (Canada) 

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. 

Ahead of the final, the six companies will participate in a targeted mentoring phase to refine their solutions and strengthen their market readiness. 

Finalists will take to the stage at GRX26 as part of the Innovation Accelerator Live Pitch Session on 7 May, presenting their solutions to an audience of mining executives, investors and innovation leaders. Delegates will play a direct role in determining the outcome, with a live audience vote deciding the winning solution. The successful company will receive AUD $10,000 in prizemoney, international promotion, and access to business development opportunities in Latin America. 

Dr Robert Trzebski, Director International Business at Austmine, said the strength and volume of submissions reflects the growing global focus on practical, scalable innovation in the resources sector. 

“The level of interest we’ve seen, with more than 50 submissions from around the world, highlights the depth of innovation being developed to support critical minerals supply,” he said. “These finalists represent solutions that are not only technically strong, but also grounded in real-world application. The Colab is about accelerating that pathway from concept to deployment, and connecting innovators directly with the industry.” 

The Global Open Innovation Colab forms a key part of the GRX26 program, reinforcing the event’s bias for action and focus on connecting technology providers, miners and investors to drive innovation that can be implemented at scale. 

GRX26 will bring together more than 2,000 delegates and 100 exhibitors from across the mining value chain, providing a platform to showcase the technologies, ideas and collaborations shaping the future of the resources sector. 

For more information and to submit a solution, visit Global Open Innovation Colab.