A GREEN OPPORTUNITY

AS THE WORLD MOVES TOWARDS NET ZERO, AUSTRALIA HAS A KEY FOOTHOLD IN ASSISTING IN THE GLOBAL ENERGY TRANSITION.

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As the world accelerates towards net-zero emissions, the demand for low-carbon metals is skyrocketing. For Australia, this presents a historic opportunity: to move beyond exporting raw resources to become a global leader in green metals production.

Dr Rahman Daiyan, senior lecturer at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) School of Minerals and Energy Resources Engineering, is at the forefront of these conversations, having collaborated with governments and international partners to explore pathways for sustainable, value-added metal production.

Daiyan has spent recent years advising Federal and State governments on Australia's decarbonisation and energy ambitions.

"With coal and gas exports expected to decline under net-zero targets, we need to pivot towards other high-value export opportunities," Daiyan told Australian Mining.

Central to this strategy is the concept of green metals, such as iron, copper and aluminium, alongside low-emissions steel and other critical minerals produced using renewable energy and low-carbon technologies.

One compelling example is the work Daiyan has done with German partners on decarbonising steel production. Traditionally, European countries would import hydrogen and iron ore separately, then combine them to produce low-carbon steel.