Accelerated Mineral Carbonation Research Program

Purpose and Program Overview

The Accelerated Mineral Carbonation Research Program WA is a $2.5 million Western Australian Government initiative delivered by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) to accelerate the development and implementation of mineral carbonation technologies that convert CO2 into stable solid forms using mining wastes and by-products. The program aims to catalyse significant advancements in mineral carbonation research over five years, generating practical solutions that help the WA mining and mineral processing sector reduce emissions at an industrial scale.

As a core initiative under Western Australia’s broader efforts in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS), the program supports projects that can transform large stockpiles of mineral and industrial waste into long‑term carbon sequestration assets. It provides structured funding across three project tiers, encouraging collaboration between industry, universities, government organisations and First Nations groups to de‑risk innovation and accelerate commercial deployment of mineral carbonation pathways in Western Australia.

Key Grant Details

• Grant amount or funding range:
  • Breakthrough Projects: up to $750,000 each (2 projects available).
  • Innovation Projects: up to $150,000 each (5 projects available).
  • Rapid Response Projects: up to $25,000 each (10 projects available).
• Total funding pool: $2.5 million across all streams.
• Application dates/status: The Program is open and available until all funding positions are filled; there is no fixed closing date.
• Eligible industries or business types: WA mining and mineral processing sector and related industries working on mineral carbonation, including industry, First Nations entities, universities and government organisations (Rapid Response); industry partnership is mandatory for Breakthrough and Innovation projects.
• Required co‑contributions: Financial leverage requirements apply (see Funding Scope below); projects must meet minimum financial leverage ratios.
• Location/state/territory: Western Australia focus; projects must deliver outcomes relevant to the Western Australian industry.

Priority Sectors

The program is primarily targeted at the Western Australian mining and mineral processing sector, including operations that generate suitable mineral or industrial wastes (such as mafic and ultramafic rock‑derived tailings and other alkaline wastes) for mineral carbonation. It also encourages collaboration with related industries such as construction and manufacturing that may utilise carbonated products, as well as First Nations, university and government organisations engaged in mineral carbonation research and deployment.

Funding Scope

• Funding amounts and leverage per stream:
  • Breakthrough Projects: up to $750,000 each (2 projects), with financial leverage greater than or equal to 4 (i.e. at least 4:1 total project value relative to MRIWA funding).
  • Innovation Projects: up to $150,000 each (5 projects), with financial leverage greater than or equal to 4.
  • Rapid Response Projects: up to $25,000 each (10 projects), with financial leverage greater than or equal to 2.
• Funding categories/streams:
  • Breakthrough Projects – large‑scale, high‑risk, high‑reward research initiatives in mineral carbonation that must involve at least one industry partner.
  • Innovation Projects – targeted research focused on specific aspects of mineral carbonation, also requiring at least one industry partner.
  • Rapid Response Projects – short‑term, focused studies that address urgent mineral carbonation challenges, open to industry, First Nations, university and government organisation applicants.
• Project duration:
  • Breakthrough Projects: up to 3 years.
  • Innovation Projects: up to 2 years.
  • Rapid Response Projects: up to 6 months.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants and projects must satisfy MRIWA’s overarching Research Grant Guidelines, in addition to stream‑specific requirements. Key eligibility elements include:

• The project must relate to mineral carbonation and align with the Mineral Carbonation Roadmap themes (science and technology, economic viability, social and environmental impacts, and policy and regulatory needs).
• Breakthrough and Innovation projects must include at least one industry partner; cross‑sector and inter‑institutional collaborations are strongly encouraged.
• Rapid Response projects may be led by industry, First Nations organisations, universities or government organisations.
• The project must demonstrate relevance to Western Australian industry and potential contribution to reducing CO2 emissions in WA within an indicative five‑year horizon.
• Applicants must comply with MRIWA’s Research Grant Guidelines, Reporting Guidelines and Intellectual Property Policy and Guidelines, including any insurance, governance and compliance obligations specified in those documents.
• Projects must meet the required minimum financial leverage ratio for the relevant stream (≥4 for Breakthrough and Innovation, ≥2 for Rapid Response).

(Where specific turnover, staff size, ABN or GST requirements are needed, they are to be confirmed in the MRIWA Research Grant Guidelines referenced in the program documentation.)

Eligible Activities and Expenses

The program supports research and development activities that advance mineral carbonation from concept through to pilot‑scale and near‑commercial demonstration, aligned with the Mineral Carbonation Roadmap. Indicative supported activities include:

• Large‑scale, high‑risk, high‑reward research projects to develop and validate new mineral carbonation processes or technologies (Breakthrough).
• Targeted research on specific technical, economic, environmental or regulatory aspects of mineral carbonation (innovation).
• Short‑term investigations that respond to urgent technical or deployment challenges in mineral carbonation (Rapid Response).
• Collaborative projects involving industry, research organisations, government and First Nations partners, including pilot plant development or enhancement, are prioritised under Breakthrough projects.
• Knowledge‑sharing activities such as workshops, showcases and symposium contributions that disseminate project outcomes to the WA industry (as part of funded project activities).

Applicants should consult MRIWA’s Research Grant Guidelines and Reporting Guidelines for detailed rules on eligible and ineligible cost items (e.g. staff time, equipment, travel, overheads).

Assessment Process

The program is competitive and assessed against defined eligibility and merit criteria rather than being entitlement‑based. Eligible Breakthrough and Innovation applications are referred to a Grant Assessment Panel, while eligible Rapid Response projects are assessed through a streamlined process.

Applications are assessed on overall value and risk against MRIWA’s standard Research Grant merit criteria and additional programme‑specific factors, including:

• Potential for CO₂ emissions sequestration via mineral carbonation.
• Alignment to the mineral carbonation roadmap themes and milestones.
• Innovation and scientific merit.
• Feasibility and scalability of the proposed approach.
• Western Australian industry relevance and potential time to market for commercialisation.
• Collaborative strength and interdisciplinary approach across partners and sectors.

MRIWA’s Reporting Guidelines and IP Policy also apply and will influence contracting and project management requirements.

Recent Program Updates

The AMC Research Program Guidelines were issued in November 2024, confirming a total funding pool of $2.5 million and formalising the three‑tier structure (Breakthrough, Innovation, and Rapid Response) with defined leverage ratios and project numbers for each stream. The program is currently open continuously until all funding positions are filled, with a multi‑year timeline envisaged for project selection, monitoring, and a final Western Australian Mineral Carbonation Symposium in Year 5 to share results and foster further collaboration.

Additional features such as a Community of Practice mentorship network, an annual showcase, an industry matching fund concept, pilot plant priority within Breakthrough projects, cross‑sector collaboration, and international knowledge exchange are highlighted as mechanisms to enhance impact across the life of the program.

Application Tips

• Review MRIWA’s AMC Research Program Guidelines, Research Grant Guidelines, Reporting Guidelines and IP Policy in full to confirm eligibility, governance and contractual obligations before preparing an application.
• Clearly demonstrate how the project aligns with one or more mineral carbonation roadmap themes, and explain the pathway to measurable CO₂ sequestration outcomes relevant to Western Australian industry within a reasonable timeframe.
• Build a strong consortium that includes at least one industry partner (for Breakthrough and Innovation streams) and, where appropriate, First Nations organisations, research institutions and government partners to strengthen collaborative merit.
• Provide a robust project plan that addresses technical feasibility, scalability, risk management, and time to market, supported by realistic budgets that meet the required leverage ratio for the chosen stream.
• Highlight how the project will contribute to WA’s decarbonisation goals, waste valorisation (e.g., tailings, red mud, slags, cement kiln dust) and broader economic benefits such as new products or markets for carbonated materials.
• Prepare supporting documentation early, including partner commitments, co‑funding evidence, governance structures and IP arrangements consistent with MRIWA’s IP Policy.

Where to Get Help

Consider consulting a grant specialist like Pattens Group for a personalised eligibility assessment and expert assistance in preparing a strong, compliant and competitive application. Contact Pattens Group to discuss project fit, application strategy and documentation requirements tailored to the AMC Research Program WA. For official guidelines, application details, templates and further information, visit the Accelerated Mineral Carbonation (AMC) Research Program WA page.