Sharing the latest trends in lithium refining technology and expanding technology-focused networks to contribute to global supply chain stability

POSCO Holdings hosted the 1st Korea–Australia Critical Minerals Forum 2025: Lithium Extraction Technologies jointly with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO on October 23.

POSCO Holdings, which established the Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab in May—the first resource-specialized research institute in Australia by a Korean company—has been continuously strengthening its R&D cooperation network with Australian critical mineral research institutions through joint forums and other initiatives.

The forum brought together participants from POSCO Holdings, POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution, and from Korea: the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Seoul National University, and Hanyang University. From Australia, attendees included experts from the three national science agencies that collectively form Australia’s Critical Minerals R&D Hub—CSIRO, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), and Geoscience Australia—as well as academic representatives from The University of Melbourne and Murdoch University.

Given the participants were based in both Korea and Australia, the forum was conducted online, connecting Seoul POSCO Center, Pohang POSCO N.EX.T Hub, and major Australian cities including Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and Canberra.

In July, representatives from Australian mineral research institutions and universities visited the Pohang POSCO N.EX.T Hub to exchange technologies in the field of critical mineral raw materials, agreeing to create synergies through ongoing technical exchanges and research cooperation. Following this, in September, POSCO Holdings signed a memorandum of understanding with CSIRO on research cooperation in carbon reduction steel technologies and critical mineral refining technologies, continuing to explore synergy creation opportunities.

At the forum, POSCO Group, Korea’s leading mineral research institutions and universities, and Australia’s key research organizations engaged in in-depth discussions on the latest refining technologies for ore and brine lithium, Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) and other innovative technologies, as well as Korea–Australia cooperation strategies for building a sustainable lithium supply chain.

Ki-soo Kim, Head of POSCO N.EX.T Hub, stated:

“POSCO Group is not only commercially producing battery-grade lithium from ore and salt lakes, but also conducting demonstrations of next-generation technologies such as Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE). The core of competitiveness in the lithium business lies in securing superior technology. To this end, we will continue to pursue closer research cooperation with experts from both countries.”

Dr. Yulia Uvarova, Deputy Director of CSIRO Mineral Resources, said:

“Australia and Korea will be the most important partners in preparing for the era of energy transition. Let us join forces to lead the global critical minerals industry through technological innovation.”

POSCO Holdings plans to continue expanding its technology-focused network for critical minerals through diverse collaborations with Australia, thereby contributing to the stabilization of the global critical minerals supply chain.

▲ On October 23, POSCO Holdings held the 1st Korea-Australia Core Minerals Forum in collaboration with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) of Australia.

“Critical minerals are strategic assets that will drive industrial paradigm shifts… We feel a strong sense of mission for a sustainable future.”

Expecting optimal synergy from POSCO Holdings’ technological capabilities and Australia’s abundant resources

POSCO Holdings has joined hands with Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, to collaborate on carbon-reduced ironmaking and critical mineral refining technologies.

In May, POSCO Holdings became the first Korean company to establish a specialized resource research centerlab in Australia – the POSCO Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab. On September 11, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CSIRO to build a strategic partnership in the field of critical minerals.

The signing ceremony, held via video link between Korea and Australia, was attended by Ki-soo Kim, CTO and Head of POSCO Holdings’ N.EX.T Hub (Senior Executive Vice President), and Dr. Louise Fisher, Director of CSIRO’s Mineral Resources Research Unit, along with other senior executives from both organizations.

The scope of cooperation includes: △Carbon-reduced ironmaking technologies such as hydrogen reduction △Lithium refining and utilization technologies for secondary battery materials △Rare earth extraction and separation technologies.

Specific collaboration measures will include: △Identification and execution of joint research projects △Exchange of information and samples related to critical minerals △Operation of regular communication channels △Hosting of annual technology exchange meetings.

The MoU will be valid for five years from the date of signing, with the possibility of extension upon mutual agreement.

Dr. Ki-soo Kim, CTO of POSCO Group, stated, “This MoU marks an important starting point for establishing a strategic cooperation framework between POSCO Group and the Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab in the fields of carbon-reduced ironmaking and critical minerals. We expect that by leveraging our synergies, we can stabilize the global critical minerals supply chain through technology and work together to create a sustainable future.”

Dr. Louise Fisher, Director of CSIRO’s Mineral Resources Research Unit, emphasized, “Our collaboration with POSCO Holdings reflects our shared commitment to advancing sustainable technologies that support a low-carbon future. By aligning our research priorities in low-emissions ironmaking and critical minerals processing, we are contributing to the development of a resilient, green metals industry in Australia.”

Through this agreement, POSCO Holdings plans to combine Australia’s abundant resources and technological expertise with its own capabilities to enhance upstream competitiveness, positioning the Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab as a hub for the Group’s critical minerals R&D and leading open innovation initiatives.

Founded in 1916, CSIRO is Australia’s national science agency, employing more than 6000 people across 50 sites globally. Working closely with the Australian government and industry, CSIRO delivers world-leading research and development solutions across the minerals value chain in mineral exploration, efficient mining and sustainable operations.

▲On September 11, POSCO Holdings signed a Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) with CSIRO to build a strategic partnership in the field of critical minerals. From left: Dr. Min-young Cho, Head of POSCO Holdings Group Technology Strategy Office, Dr. Louise Fisher, Director of CSIRO’s Mineral Resources Research Unit, Dr. Ki-soo Kim, Director of POSCO N.EX.T Hub.

Joint development of steel and battery material utilization technologies and rare earth refining technologies with local raw material companies and research institutions

Chairman In-hwa Chang: “Combining Australia’s resources with POSCO’s technology to create added value … Will become a strategic hub for resource processing technology and critical mineral acquisition”

POSCO Holdings has opened the Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab in Perth, Western Australia, and is embarking on securing ultra-gaps in technological competitiveness in steel, battery material, raw materials, and rare earth sectors. This marks the first time a Korean company has established a resource research institute on-site where raw materials are located.

The opening ceremony held on May 30 in Perth, Western Australia, was attended by POSCO Group Chairman In-hwa Chang, POSCO N.EX.T Hub Director Ki-soo Kim, representatives from Australian raw material companies including Hancock, BHP, Rio Tinto, and PLS (formerly Pilbara Minerals), research institutions such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), and local universities including Curtin.

Chairman In-hwa Chang emphasized, “Since receiving its first iron ore supply from Australia in 1971, POSCO has been transforming into a global top materials company in steel and battery materials through solid collaboration with the Australian government and industry. The Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab will combine Australia’s abundant resources with POSCO Group’s materials technology capabilities to add value to the Group’s core businesses and serve as a strategic hub for raw material processing technology and critical mineral acquisition.”

The POSCO Group has recognized the importance of localization strategies in steel and battery materials businesses, which have high raw material cost ratios, extending beyond economical raw material procurement to securing technological competitiveness in carbon reduction. Accordingly, it has become the first Korean company to establish a specialized research institution on-site in Australia, where raw material mines and international research institutions are located.

Chairman In-hwa Chang has emphasized the importance of cost reduction practices and technologies, particularly announcing his commitment to solving business-specific challenges through the integration of technology and business strategy across all steps from research and development to production and sales.

The Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab will serve as a hub for the Group’s critical mineral research and development, including project execution in collaboration with local raw material companies and research institutions in the Group’s core business areas, such as economical low-carbon steel raw material utilization technology and cost reduction technology in lithium and nickel raw material sectors.

Moreover, the institute plans to conduct parallel research on rare earth supply chains and high-efficiency separation and refining technologies to explore next-generation critical mineral business opportunities and drive investment in global premier mines through local information exchange.

The POSCO Group has been cooperating with Australia in building supply chains for critical minerals, such as iron ore and lithium, since the early 1980s. It has participated in the development of Australia’s Roy Hill iron ore mine to procure steel raw materials stably and operates a joint venture for battery lithium hydroxide with PLS.

In particular, Chairman In-hwa Chang, leading the Korea-Australia Economic Cooperation Committee, is facilitating close cooperation between the two countries’ business communities and industrial development beyond traditional resource cooperation in minerals and batteries.

▲POSCO Holdings held the opening ceremony for the Australia Critical Minerals R&D Lab in Perth, Western Australia, on May 30. From left: Will Milstead, Rio Tinto CFO; John Stanning, PLS Head of Development; Professor Joe Elphick Huang, Curtin University; Ben Ellis, BHP Sustainability Executive; Miriam Stanborough, MRIWA Board Chair; Faye Duda, Honorary Consul to Australia; Chairman In-hwa Chang; Lewis Fisher, CSIRO Mineral Resources Director; Professor Marco Fiorentini, University of Western Australia; Professor Alex Nicholoski, Murdoch University; Ki-soo Kim, POSCO N.EX.T Hub Director.