Deep Tech Innovation: Safeguarding Sovereignty and Shaping Strategy

Dr Mobin Nomvar

Australia’s economic and geopolitical relevance has long been tied to its abundant mineral resources and leadership in mining technologies.

As global demand shifts toward decarbonisation, electrification, and critical minerals, this role is no longer just commercial — it is strategic.

Sovereign Risk & Economic Resilience

Relying purely on resource exports exposes Australia to volatility in global markets and foreign-controlled supply chains. Deep tech innovation provides the pathway to move up the value chain: from raw mineral exports to refined materials, advanced processing, and resource-efficient technologies. This reduces dependency on others for critical inputs while ensuring Australia retains control over key value streams.

Mining Tech as Strategic Leverage

Australian mining know-how has historically been world-class. With deep tech, this can evolve into next-generation processing, digital optimisation, and decarbonised extraction methods. These capabilities not only secure Australia’s resource base but also become exportable technologies, embedding Australia deeper into global supply chains.

Position in the World Order

As major economies race to secure critical minerals and energy transition technologies, Australia’s ability to combine resource endowment + deep tech capability will define its place in the emerging order. Sovereignty will no longer be measured by tonnes shipped, but by the technological depth and strategic control built into resource industries.

The Role of Innovation Houses

Deep Tech Innovation Houses act as the translation engine, ensuring research breakthroughs in mineral processing, recycling, and mining automation move quickly from lab to industry. By bridging government programs, universities, SMEs, and corporates, they help ensure Australia is not just a quarry for the world, but a strategic powerhouse of resource innovation.

Forward Looking

Australia is well placed to go well beyond being just a mineral exporter, and become a strategic innovation hub shaping the global order, there are many initiatives underway, the will is there but we need more.

In up and coming editions of our Innovation Window we will be presenting a challenging series of articles speaking to Deep Tech Innovation, Sovereignty & Australia’s Global Role through the following topics:

  1. From Quarry to Powerhouse: Why Deep Tech Innovation is Australia’s Strategic Imperative

  2. Owning the Value Chain: Mitigating Sovereign Risk through Deep Tech

  3. Beyond the Pit: Mining Technology as Australia’s Geopolitical Edge

  4. Crossing the Valley: Why Innovation Governance Matters for Sovereignty

  5. Engineering Sovereignty: A Playbook for Australia’s Deep Tech Future

The series of articles aim to be a call to action across 3 key axises

  • Researchers → partner earlier with industry & governance structures.

  • Policymakers → design funding around aligned technical + commercial pathways.

  • Capital → engage with Deep tech innovation Foundry models for de-risked deal flow.

Look forward to a lively conversation.

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Australia’s Innovation Gap: From Bright Ideas to Bold Outcomes