Providing Queensland with a roadmap for critical minerals provenance and traceability
The Queensland Government has taken a major step toward securing the future of its critical minerals industry. In support of this goal, FrontierSI has released the report: A Vision and Roadmap for Critical Minerals Provenance and Traceability. The report, prepared by FrontierSI in collaboration with Queensland’s Department of Natural Resources, provides a framework to ensure Queensland’s minerals are ethically sourced, fully traceable, and compliant with international sustainability standards.
The need for traceability
Queensland is rich in critical minerals—such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements—which are essential for technologies such as electric vehicles and renewable energy. However, ensuring these minerals are responsibly sourced is becoming increasingly complex. New international regulations, such as the EU Battery Passport (a system that verifies the sustainability and sourcing of minerals), highlight the need for transparent supply chains.
Graeme Kernich, FrontierSI CEO, said:
“Critical minerals are essential for the global transition to a decarbonised economy. However, ensuring the sustainability and traceability of these minerals presents a significant challenge. Countries leading the pack on responsible sourcing, clear provenance and traceability, and the use of international regulatory standards, will gain a competitive advantage and access to educated and advanced critical minerals markets.”
Queensland’s approach
To meet these challenges, the Queensland Government collaborated with FrontierSI to assess current gaps and develop a clear roadmap. The key focus areas include:
•Digital credentials – Implementing a Guarantee of Origin (a system proving where and how minerals were sourced).
•Data infrastructure – Improving digital systems to track minerals throughout the supply chain.
•First Nations participation – Ensuring equitable involvement of Indigenous communities.
•Sustainability alignment – Supporting Queensland’s transition to a circular economy.
Positioning Queensland as a global leader
This roadmap identifies implementation pathways for Queensland to become a leader in sustainable mineral production, ensuring its resources remain competitive in global markets. This report supports mining companies—particularly smaller operators—by helping them navigate complex international compliance requirements.
For more details, access the full report:
If you are interested in the roadmap and opportunities to participate in the future of Critical Minerals provenance and traceability, please contact Gavin Kennedy, gkennedy@frontiersi.com.au.
About FrontierSI
FrontierSI is a social enterprise focused on bringing the best people together to anticipate and solve large problems using our space and spatial expertise. Through collaboration with government, research, and industry networks, we bring innovative ideas through to real-world products and services to create commercial and public good impact. We focus our deep spatial expertise in positioning, geodesy, spatial data management and data analytics to develop and implement solutions to meet challenges across multiple sectors from defence to resources.
