From Rocks to Cleantech: Building a Trusted Critical Minerals Value Chain

21 October 2026 | 12:00–1:30 pm | Online

Critical minerals are the DNA of cleantech. Is Victoria ready to lead?

The global transition to clean technology is driving growing demand for the critical minerals needed to build batteries, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles and more. For Australia, this presents an opportunity that goes well beyond extraction.

Australia sits on a rare combination of geological endowment, engineering talent and policy momentum. But turning these advantages into a trusted, high-value cleantech opportunity requires more than what we dig up. It requires investment, innovation, processing capability, strong supply chains and community trust.

From Rocks to Cleantech

Critical minerals sit at the foundation of many technologies driving the clean energy transition. Yet between extraction and deployment lies a complex value chain spanning processing, refining, manufacturing, technology development, investment and project delivery.

So, where is global and APAC demand heading? What's investable now? Where can innovation help overcome bottlenecks in processing and refining? And what does it take to deliver projects with strong social licence?

These are the questions the Victorian Cleantech Cluster will explore in a lunchtime panel bringing together perspectives across strategy, investment, innovation and project delivery.

Meet the Panel

Summer Bae — APAC Strategy & Geopolitical Risk
Jun Qu — Investor Lens & Critical Minerals Thesis
Diana Rasner — Innovation in Processing & Refining
Anna Quillinan — Project Delivery & Social Licence

Moderated by Brian Borowsky, Victorian Cleantech Cluster.

The Conversation Ahead

Australia's critical minerals opportunity is about more than being resource-rich. It's about where value is created, where innovation happens and how we build trusted supply chains that can support the next generation of clean technologies.

Ready to see what's beyond the rocks? Join the conversation and explore what comes next for Australia's critical minerals value chain.

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