Sustainable Minerals Institute

What Sustainable Minerals Institute does

The Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) is an interdisciplinary research institute within The University of Queensland, established in 2001 and operating across seven specialist centres covering geology, mineral processing, environmental management, health and safety, organisational effectiveness, social responsibility, and mineral security. SMI serves mining companies, government bodies, international organisations, artisanal and small-scale mining communities, and postgraduate researchers, with global reach delivered through JKTech (its wholly-owned technology transfer subsidiary), SMI Chile, and the DELVE Exchange network spanning 1,500+ members across 71 countries.

Core offerings include proprietary technologies such as OreSand (a circular economy solution co-producing manufactured sand from mineral ore during processing, registered as a UQ trademark and commercialised at scale with Vale's Brucutu mine), High Voltage Pulse ore pre-treatment, mineral carbonation for tailings stabilisation, and a National Digital Twin for Critical Metals and ESG. Strategic programs include Future Autonomous Systems & Technologies (FAST), Resourcing Decarbonisation (which leveraged $1.5M of UQ seed funding into $4M of external co-funding), and the Mineral Security Masterclass. SMI also incubates multi-stakeholder initiatives, most recently spinning out the Coalition for Responsible Sand and Silicates as an independent not-for-profit in 2026.

SMI's revenue model is multi-stream: research grants and co-funding from government, industry partners (BHP, Rio Tinto, Vale, Newmont, Codelco), international organisations (UN, World Bank, UNESCO, UNDP), and industry collaborators (Volkswagen, Accenture); professional development courses and HDR tuition via University of Queensland fee structures; and technology transfer revenue through JKTech's laboratory services, software, consultancy, and training. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and contracts are predominantly project-based rather than recurring subscription.

Name

Sustainable Minerals Institute

Legal name

Sustainable Minerals Institute - University of Queensland

Website

https://smi.uq.edu.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Sustainable Minerals Institute is a University of Queensland research institute that advances sustainability in the minerals sector through seven specialist centres, proprietary technologies including OreSand and High Voltage Pulse, and global programs like the DELVE Exchange serving 1,500+ ASM community members across 71 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Mining Sustainability Research and Consulting

NAICS

Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715), Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (541), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Engineering Services (8711), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Product Lifecycle, NPI & Industrialization (Design-to-Operate) (BPAHAHAK)

Keywords

• Mineral processing research
• Sustainable mining research
• Mining consulting services
• Mineral security advisory
• Mining professional development

Headquarters

HQ city

Brisbane

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Research Grants and Funding: SMI receives funding from government bodies (Australian Federal and State Governments), industry partners (BHP, Rio Tinto, Vale, etc.), international organisations (UN, World Bank), and research councils. The Resourcing Decarbonisation program leveraged $1.5M of seed funding to secure $4M of external funding.
2. Professional Development Services: SMI offers professional development courses, short courses, and training programs grounded in cutting edge research for the minerals and resources sector workforce. Includes online courses, workshops, and field placement programs.
3. JKTech Technology Transfer: JKTech, SMI's technology transfer company, delivers laboratory services, specialised software, consultancy, and training to support the industry worldwide. Revenue generated from commercialising research outputs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) is an interdisciplinary minerals and resources research institute within The University of Queensland that delivers multidisciplinary research, professional development training, and higher-degree-by-research education. It commercialises research outputs through its wholly-owned subsidiary JKTech, which provides laboratory services, specialised software, consultancy, and training to the global mining industry. SMI also operates knowledge networks (DELVE Exchange), strategic programs (FAST, Resourcing Decarbonisation), and professional development courses for industry, government, and ASM communities.

Product overview

The Sustainable Minerals Institute is the world's largest co-located, minerals and resources interdisciplinary research institute comprising seven specialist centres spanning geology, mineral processing, environmental management, health and safety, organisational effectiveness, social responsibility, and mineral security. SMI operates as a platform of interconnected research centres and strategic programs rather than a single unified product. Core research centres include the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) focused on mineral processing innovation (including High Voltage Pulse Technology), and the Global Centre for Mineral Security (GCMS) addressing mineral security and circular economy solutions. Key product offerings include the OreSand Program (circular economy solution producing manufactured sand from ore processing, with companion OreSand Knowledge Hub and OreSand Inc commercialisation entity), The DELVE Exchange (global knowledge network for artisanal and small-scale miners with 1,500+ members across 71 countries), the Coalition for Responsible Sand and Silicates (now independent not-for-profit), and the Mineral Security Masterclass (professional development program). JKTech serves as the technology transfer company delivering specialised software, laboratory services, and training to industry. Strategic programs include the Future Autonomous Systems & Technologies (FAST) Program and the Resourcing Decarbonisation Strategic Program. Additional offerings include education programs like the Stone for Development Work Integrated Learning Program and the Blue Concrete Initiative for low-carbon cement adoption.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC): Research centre focused on mineral processing and comminution
• Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (CSRM)
• Global Centre for Mineral Security (GCMS)
• Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC)
• WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre
• Leading for High Reliability Centre (LHRC)
• Centre for Environmental Responsibility in Mining
• OreSand
• OreSand Knowledge Hub
• Mineral Security Masterclass

Products and services

• JKTech — Laboratory, Software, Consultancy and Training Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 268% return on investment on seed funding ($1.5M to $4M external funding)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Association of Women In Mining, AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021One of over 30 global ASM associations collaborating in the DELVE Exchange initiative, spanning 71 countries across Africa, Latin America, South Central Asia, and Asia-Pacific.
• ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020SMI has supported ASEAN since 2020 to attract investment in minerals exploration, increase output, contribute to supply chains, and achieve sustainable minerals development. Delivered ASEAN Minerals Development Vision and Principles for Sustainable Minerals Development.
• JKTechcoreTechnology or IntegrationJKTech is SMI's technology transfer company that delivers laboratory services, specialised software, consultancy, and training to support the mining industry worldwide. It commercialises SMI research outputs.
• SMI ChilecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMI Chile extends SMI's global reach across South America, where they co-develop projects and share knowledge to set new benchmarks for best practice in both Australia and Chile.
• Vale (Brucutu Mine)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOreSand research partnership at Vale's Brucutu mine in Brazil has supported licensed production of more than one million tonnes per year of sand for construction uses, demonstrating tailings reduction and safer tailings management.
• Newmont (Cadia Mine)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partnership demonstrating for the first time that OreSand could be produced from metal sulphide ores. Trials showed performance in concrete and shotcrete applications competing with natural sand.
• Queensland GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner on improving circularity in Queensland's new economy minerals and developing tools to support climate resilient resource development.
• ICMM (International Council on Mining and Metals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerICMM partnered on tools to support climate resilient resource development and ICMM's Tools for Circularity report highlighting the Cadia ore-sand case.
• University of ExetercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership via the QUEX program on circular economics of climate induced innovation in mining regions.
• UNEP/GRID-GenevacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore supporter of the Coalition for Responsible Sand and Silicates, contributing to advancing responsible sourcing of sand and silicates globally.
• OECD SecretariatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in developing responsible business conduct frameworks for sand and silicate supply chains, including OECD Forum sessions and due diligence guidance publications.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• CSIRO: Australia's national science agency with a substantial minerals and mining research portfolio across processing, automation, and ESG. Directly comparable to SMI as a publicly-funded, mission-driven R&D provider serving the Australian and global mining sector, though with a broader mandate across industries.
• FLSmidth R&D / Mining Technologies: Global mining equipment and technology supplier with major in-house R&D covering mineral processing, comminution, and digital/automation. Comparable to SMI's JKMRC and HVP technology lines as a commercial counterpart in mining process innovation and tech commercialisation.

Others

• JKTech: SMI's wholly-owned technology transfer subsidiary, included as an internal reference point. Comparable as a mining-industry lab services, software, consultancy, and training provider; useful benchmark for SMI's commercial arm.

Direct peers

• Institute of Mineral Resources Engineering (RWTH Aachen): German university institute covering mineral processing, recycling, and raw materials supply. Comparable to SMI in delivering interdisciplinary mining and resources R&D with strong industry partnerships in a major European mining technology hub.
• School of Mining Engineering (University of the Witwatersrand): Leading African university mining research group covering mineral processing, rock mechanics, and sustainable mining. Comparable to SMI as a globally-active, university-anchored mining research centre serving a major producing region.
• Mining3: Australia-based mining industry research consortium focused on step-change mining technologies, autonomous systems and decarbonisation. Directly comparable to SMI in industry-funded, multi-partner mining research delivery, particularly in autonomous mining and decarbonisation.
• Colorado School of Mines: US-based university dedicated to mining, mineral processing, geology, and energy research. Directly comparable to SMI in combining interdisciplinary mining research, professional development, and HDR programs for the global minerals sector.
• Camborne School of Mines (University of Exeter): University-based mining and minerals research and education centre at the University of Exeter, with overlapping themes in critical minerals, circular economy and decarbonisation. SMI explicitly partners with Exeter via the QUEX program, making it the closest academic peer.
• AMIRA International: Australia-based, mining-industry-funded collaborative R&D coordinator that pools member-company funds to commission university and research-provider projects. Comparable to SMI in facilitating industry-academia mining R&D partnerships globally.
• Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA): WA state government-funded institute that funds and coordinates minerals research across Western Australian universities. Closely mirrors SMI's role as a state/national coordinating hub for industry-funded, university-delivered mining research in Australia.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/smiuq
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/sustainable-minerals-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sustainable Minerals Institute