Minerals – CSIROscope

Cables for a range of phones that use lithium-ion batteries and produce waste

The lithium-ion waste problem hiding in your pocket

Our researchers are creating sustainable technologies to reduce lithium-ion waste from everyday technology.

Heavy metals rock termite mounds

Zinc isotopes found in manganese crust samples of soils and termite mounds are helping mineral explorers find hidden deposits of critical metals below the surface.

Photo of a rock playing rock songs with a bandana and electric guitar photoshopped on

Classic rock songs: Music you can rock out to

We've cobbled together a playlist of rock anthems to celebrate our mineral resources research. Classic rock, heavy rock, sedimentary rock - we've got it all!

Chemical romance: our sparkling superstar of STEM

Edible experiments, explosions and splat paintings. Chemistry has taken Dr Laura Kuhar from diamond mines back to the classroom, where she shares her love of science.

Hand picking up Pilbara gold nugget out of rust-red dirt

Solving the mystery of the Pilbara gold

We’ve starting to unravel the mystery of the source of the Pilbara gold nuggets whose unusual shape and distribution baffled explorers in the region.

Virtual library gets straight to the core

Exploring for critical metals is being made more efficient and less impactful on the environment thanks to a virtual library crammed with information on Australia’s mineralogy.

A photograph of a green parking reserved sign for electric vehicle chargin.

Green power: the future of Aussie graphite

Demand for lithium-ion batteries is increasing demand for minerals, like graphite, to make them. Research to develop a more environmentally-friendly process could see battery-grade graphite produced in Australia.

Drawings of batteries overlaying a backdrop of electronic devices

Lithium, the metal of the decade

What's powering your phone? It’s most likely a lithium ion battery. Australia is the world's largest producer of lithium, and the global demand is growing. We're working to supercharge our research in lithium exploration and production.

Gold ring featuring a circle of white diamonds around a pink central diamond

Green and gold Aussie jewellery

Our environmentally-friendly gold extraction process is helping producers meet demand for ethical gold products with green credentials.

Breaking the mould: gold-digging fungi found in WA

Australian scientists have discovered gold-coated fungi near Boddington in Western Australia. And it may offer clues for finding new gold deposits.

Male and female scientists taking soil samples from a remote landscape showing a helicopter in the background

Golden soils and wealth from toil

Finding gold requires luck and hard work. Now luck is being delivered by science as new sampling techniques and analysis reduce the guesswork to help prospectors pinpoint gold targets more precisely.

Gold fever: Our top 7 inventions that are pure gold

Science is golden and here’s why: our top 7 gold inventions are changing the way we explore and produce gold in the 21st century.

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