Advancing WA’s Future: $44 Million Investment in Research Infrastructure

At MRIWA, we’re thrilled by the transformative investment announced today by the Cook Government—$44 million to expand cutting-edge research infrastructure across Western Australia’s universities, government, and industry research centres.

This funding represents a significant leap forward for WA’s innovation ecosystem, providing state-of-the-art tools to drive breakthroughs across a range of industries.

Minerals-Focused Investments

Several high-impact projects related to minerals exploration and processing are set to benefit from this funding, including:

• $2.6 million for AuScope: Enhancing research tools to enable more efficient minerals exploration and processing.
• $24 million for the Pawsey Supercomputing Centre: Expanding computational power to fuel advancements in artificial intelligence, space exploration, and climate research.
• $2.5 million for the Australian National Fabrication Facility: Upgrading facilities to support projects like sensor development for autonomous vehicles and other applications.

A Bold Vision for WA’s Future

This substantial funding forms part of the WA Government’s 10-Year Science and Technology Plan, which positions Western Australia as a global leader in fields such as renewable energy, critical minerals, health sciences, and digital technologies. It underscores the state’s commitment to building a sustainable and prosperous future powered by knowledge and innovation.

MRIWA’s Role

At MRIWA, we are proud to align with this bold vision by fostering collaborative research that addresses the challenges and opportunities facing WA’s mining sector. Through initiatives like these, we are strengthening Western Australia’s position as a global leader in minerals science and technology.

We believe this investment is not just a commitment to WA’s present but a promise to future generations—a step towards a world-class research landscape that fuels economic growth, sustainability, and technological excellence.

To learn more about this announcement and the exciting developments shaping Western Australia’s innovation landscape. Read the full media statement.