Austmine and AusIMM, together with the global mining innovation hub partners - Expande (Chile), the Peru Mining Innovation Hub, and the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI, Canada) along with CoLab Partner Baker Hughes, have launched 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, 5 – 7 May 2026. 

Following live pitches at GRX26, delegates will vote for the best solution, with the winner receiving AUD $10,000 prizemoney, promotional benefits and an international business development opportunity in Latin America.  

The challenge will focus on Accelerated Exploration to Extraction, addressing one of the sector’s most urgent priorities: increasing supply while reducing cost, time and environmental impact of developing new critical minerals deposits. 

Innovators, researchers and technology developers are invited to submit breakthrough solutions that will accelerate sustainable critical minerals development and support the global transition to clean energy, advanced manufacturing and digital infrastructure. 

The challenge is designed to uncover technologies that can overcome declining grades and growing constraints on refining capacity, from AI-driven geological modelling and remote sensing to advanced drilling and low-impact extraction systems. Other key solution areas include advanced subsurface imaging, predictive geological modelling, autonomous and low-impact drilling systems, orebody characterisation technologies, and integrated digital platforms that support faster, more precise decision-making. 

A global panel of experts will assess submissions and select six finalists, who will be supported through mentoring and pitch development ahead of competing live at GRX26 in Perth. 

Finalists will present during the Innovation Accelerator Live Pitch Session, engaging directly with mining executives, investors, innovation leaders and international media. 

Participants will be assessed not only on technical performance, but on scalability, commercial readiness and implementation potential, ensuring solutions are aligned with operational realities and market demand. 

Dr Robert Trzebski, Director International Business at Austmine, said the Global Open Innovation Colab reflects the industry’s increasing focus on collaboration, commercialisation and practical implementation. “By hosting this challenge at GRX26, we are creating a direct pathway between global innovators and industry leaders, accelerating pathways to commercialisation and real-world deployment.” 

In addition to the live pitch opportunity, finalists will participate in an exclusive Colab Connect Workshop, receive full access to GRX26, and be supported through international promotion across partner networks. 

The Global Open Innovation Colab reinforces GRX’s role as a platform where innovation meets implementation, connecting ideas, capital and capability to deliver real-world outcomes for the global resources sector. 

Key Dates 

• Submissions open: 5 March 2026 

• Submissions close: 26 March 2026 

• Finalists notified: 8 April 2026 

• Colab Workshop: 5 May 2026 

• Live Pitch: 7 May 2026 

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