A South Australian global crowdsourcing challenge featuring a prize pool of 
A$250,000 has been flooded with proposals from the world's best and brightest 
minds as the state looks to accelerate its burgeoning critical mineral sector.

Run by the Government of South Australia in partnership with Unearthed, 
Thinking Critical South Australia attracted more than 40 innovative critical 
mineral business ideas from more than 30 countries as part of a global push to 
add value to the state's critical mineral riches.

Proposals were received from as far afield as the US, Canada and Asia as 
competitors vied for the opportunity to unlock the state's endowment of 
critical minerals to help grow the state's critical minerals processing and 
manufacturing capabilities.

"The Government of South Australia is thrilled with the global response to the 
Thinking Critical Challenge," said Executive Director, Mineral Resources, 
Department for Energy and Mining, Alex Blood.

"The challenge was focused on attracting the best, most innovative proposals 
from individuals and businesses across the globe and supporting them to set up 
operations in South Australia to grow our critical minerals capabilities.

"The quality and number of applications received was outstanding, reflecting 
strong interest in our state's critical mineral resources and highly supportive 
business and government ecosystems."

The judging panel was faced with the gruelling task of whittling 40 proposals 
from more than 200 competitors, down to just five proposals over two rounds as 
the search unveiled dozens of innovative ideas suitable for commercialisation.

To be eligible to enter, an entrepreneur or business needed to be a registered, 
non-government business or non-for-profit organisation; are, or involved in the 
critical minerals value chain and willing to register their operations in South 
Australia. 

The finalists included NDB Inc (US), Rockburst Technologies (Canada) as well as 
Australian winners QL Space, CBSM Mining Services, and Scantech International.

Silicon-based nanotechnology company NDB Inc's idea redefines and 
revolutionises the battery sector by converting radioactive decay energy from 
nuclear waste into energy.

Meanwhile, Vancouver-based Rockburst Technologies' patented Transcritical CO2 
Pulverisation (tCO2) technology is a novel mining comminution process designed 
to significantly reduce energy and GHG emissions.

"We would like to congratulate the finalists on their applications and we look 
forward to working closely with them to accelerate South Australia's use of 
critical minerals," said Ms Blood.

"The innovation shown, not only in the winning proposals, but across all 
submissions was impressive and we are excited to open a dialogue with dozens of 
participants, not just the winners." 

The five finalists will share in A$250,000 and will receive high value 
incentives including, but not limited to, marketing and promotion, professional 
networking and business development.

In establishing operations in South Australia, the finalists will leverage 
world-class resources and research facilities and have access to a rich network 
of customers, suppliers and investors.

"The Thinking Critical South Australia Challenge has been an outstanding 
success," said Unearthed Director Zane Prickett.

"We look forward to seeing the benefits the challenge continues to bring to the 
South Australian economy for many years to come."

For more information, visit www.thinkingcriticalsa.com

SOURCE:Unearthed