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Australia risks losing its world-leading advantage in critical and rare minerals used for clean energy, electric vehicles and batteries for solar energy, unless it embraces artificial intelligence in the mining sector, according to research from Monash University and the University of Tasmania.

In a paper published in Nature Communications, the researchers argue artificial intelligence will revolutionize the mining of copper, lithium, nickel, zinc, cobalt and rare earth minerals used to produce clean energy technologies.

Australia is in a prime position to benefit with the world's largest proven reserves of nickel and zinc, the second largest proven reserves of cobalt and copper and the world's third largest proven reserves of bauxite. It is also the world's largest producer of bauxite and lithium and is the third largest producer of cobalt.

Co-researcher Deputy Dean, Research, Professor Russell Smyth, from the Department of Economics at Monash University said to take advantage of these resources, Australia must embrace AI through all stages of the mining process.

"With the right policies and technological advancements, AI has the potential to transform the mining industry, making it more efficient, cost effective, less risky, and environmentally friendly," said Professor Smyth.

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