Federal Minister for Science, The Hon Peter McGauran, announced $68.5 million in funding for the establishment of the new CRC, the expansion of the existing CRCs for Mining and for Greenhouse Gas Technologies, as well as supplementary funding for the AJ Parker CRC for Hydrometallurgy.

In welcoming the CRC funding, Minerals Council of Australia, chief executive, Mitchell Hooke said collaboration, through public and private sector funding of R&D that leads to holistic resource management improvements, is critical to improving the Australian minerals industry's performance.

"The CRC grants are well aligned with both the Australian minerals industry's research priorities and the four National Research Priorities announced by the Government last week," Hooke said.

"The Australian minerals industry already has world-wide strengths in the development, adoption and export of R&D-generated innovation and technology solutions and acknowledges the vital role of the CRC program.

"Our industry is recognised as a global leader in developing these solutions that enable more productive, cleaner, safer and dependable mining operations, as well as promoting growth and investment.

"Through this additional funding the opportunity exists for greater collaboration in crossdisciplinary research programs to substantially grow the industry's capacity for increased productivity and profitability.

"The synergies that exist between the minerals industry, service industries and research institutions, provide an exciting environment for our continuing role in developing solutions to the challenges that business and communities face.

"This announcement enables the minerals industry to maximise its targeted, strategic approach to developing the innovation and technology that underpins the industry's contribution to sustainable development and the future prosperity of all Australians," Hooke said.