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.

Chairman Chang said, “We must welcome a new stage of cooperation not only in resources such as minerals and energy, but also eco-friendly materials and infrastructure innovation…”

The chairman attended a dedication ceremony for Korean War Veterans Memorial Auditorium and expressed his gratitude for the noble sacrifices of war veterans.

On September 2, POSCO Group Chairman In-hwa Chang attended the 45th Joint Meeting of the Korea-Australia Business Council as a representative of Korea and sought the growth of future-oriented relations between the two countries.

The joint meeting of the Council, established in 1979, marked its 45th anniversary this year and has become a time-honored collaborative platform for the continuous and solid partnership of the two countries in the economic world, and more than 250 people from the political and economic circles of both countries attended this meeting.

In particular, this year marks the 10th anniversary of the Korea-Australia Free Trade Agreement (KAFTA), which has created a consensus between the governments and business communities of both countries and has added significance in that the Korea-Australia Business Council as well as KAFTA played a key role in elevating bilateral cooperation.

The POSCO Group’s Chairman as well as the Chairman of the Australia-Korea Business Council (AKBC) In-hwa Chang, the head of the Office of Trade Negotiations In-gyo Jeong, and the new Korean Ambassador to Australia Seung-seob Sim attended the meeting as Korea’s representatives. On the Australian side, attendees included Australia-Korea Business Council (AKBC) Chairman Martin Ferguson, Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell, Western Australia Prime Minister Roger Cook, and Australian Ambassador to Korea Jeff Robinson.

In his opening address, Chairman Chang said, “Korea and Australia are participating in pioneering a clean future encompassing eco-friendly materials and infrastructure innovation beyond traditional resource cooperation in minerals and energy,” and added, “We anticipate that closer economic cooperation will help us secure greater competitiveness and opportunities in the global market.”

POSCO Group has been expanding cooperation in the area of resource development with Australia, an important partner in the supply chain of key minerals such as iron ore, lithium, and nickel, since the early 1980s, and cumulative investments up to the present amount to 4 trillion won. Furthermore, Korea is purchasing steel materials worth more than 7 billion dollars from Australia every year, which amounts to 70% of the total amount of raw material purchases.

In particular, amid the recent escalation of global geopolitical risks and “friend shoring,” in which friendly countries are uniting and building supply chains, POSCO Group plans to lead the economic and industrial growth of the two countries by further cementing trust with Australia, where cooperation in resource development has been ongoing for several decades.

In the joint meeting this year, the two countries discussed cooperation measures in five areas: key mineral supply chain, AI and Startups, defense/aerospace, food and infrastructure, and clean energy.

On September 3 and 4, Chairman Chang will have one-on-one talks with Australian government officials including Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell, Minister for Resources Madeleine King, and Western Australia Prime Minister Roger Cook, as well as the top management of major corporations.

Chairman Chang plans to share POSCO Group’s vision with the Australian government and request its unsparing support so that the group’s key businesses, such as an HBI project being carried out in Australia, lithium for secondary cell materials, and graphite, can proceed smoothly.

In addition, he plans to meet with Chairman Kathleen Conlon of Pilbara Minerals and ask for the stable supply of lithium concentrate to POSCO Pilbara Lithium Solution, a joint venture of the two companies, and plans to discuss plans for expanding cooperation in the lithium business.

Then, on September 4, he is expected to attend a dedication ceremony for the Korean War Veterans Memorial Auditorium built in a joint sponsorship with Roy Hill, an Australian raw material partner, and express his gratitude for the noble sacrifices of Australian war veterans. The memorial auditorium was built to permanently commemorate the value of peace and solidarity attained by overcoming the pain of war.

POSCO Group has established a cooperative relationship with Australia not only in steel materials but also future business areas such as HBI, hydrogen, and lithium, and plans to build a strategic partnership while continuously having exchanges with potential Australian partners in new business areas including graphite and rare earth elements.

▲In-hwa Chang, Chairman of the Korea-Australia Business Council (KABC) (POSCO Group Chairman)(right) and Martin Ferguson, Chairman of the Australia-Korea Business Council (AKBC).