About Us
Who We Are
Based at the University of Western Australia (School of Earth and Oceans), the CET is a world-leading research centre advancing predictive mineral exploration through multidisciplinary science, global collaboration and industry-engaged training.
Our team comprises specialists in mineral systems science, geophysics, geochemistry, structural geology and data-driven modelling, integrating Earth science and computational approaches to improve understanding of mineral systems.
What We Do
We integrate geological, structural, geophysical, geochemical and petrographic data to understand the 4D evolution of continental crust and the processes controlling metal mobilisation, transport and concentration.
Our work bridges applied and fundamental science across regional to deposit scales, creating new tools, concepts and exploration strategies.
The CET leads and contributes to flagship initiatives that reshape how mineral systems are understood, including:
- West African Exploration Initiative (WAXI)
- South American Exploration Initiative (SAXI)
- Yilgarn 2030
- Quantitative exploration of spatiotemporal metasomatic mantle sources of metals (QUEST)
- Development of data-driven geoscience platforms and predictive tools
These programs are supported by world-class analytical and computational capabilities, including collaborations with CMCA, Loop3D and the Centre for Data-Driven Geosciences.
Our Impact
Since its inception, the CET has shaped leaders and innovators across geoscience and mining, including:
- Executives and senior technical leaders at major global mining companies
- Professors and research leaders at leading universities worldwide
- ARC Industry Fellows, CSIRO scientists, journal editors and innovators in open-source geoscience technology
- Alumni working across every continent in more than ten countries
Left: Inaugural CET Director Dr. Campbell McCuaig, Head of Generative Exploration, BHP
Right: Prof. Eun-Jung Holden, University of Melbourne
World-Class Geoscience Education
The CET has a proud record of capacity building, training students and professionals who now hold key roles across the minerals sector, academia and government agencies worldwide.
Through postgraduate programs and professional development initiatives, we shape the next generation of geoscientists who carry forward our collaborative ethos and commitment to innovation. The UWA School of Earth and Oceans and the CET offer a range of exciting international Honours, MSc and PhD research opportunities:
- Postgraduate Master of Ore Deposit Geology
- Postgraduate Master of Geoscience
Explore Earth Science degrees at UWA
Looking Ahead
Together with the ARC Centre for Critical Resources for the Future (CCRF), the CET is entering a period of rapid innovation aimed at enabling discovery of the next generation of mineral resources and addressing global sustainability challenges.
Our History
Over the past 20 years, the CET, part of the University of Western Australia (UWA) School of Earth and Oceans, has been a leading institution in developing and refining the conceptual and scientific foundations of the Mineral Systems Approach. This multiscale framework enables us to explore the processes governing both the formation and spatial distribution of mineral provinces, camps, deposits, and ore shoots.
1971-2005
The Centre for Exploration Targeting (CET) builds on more than 50 years of Economic Geology at UWA, the development of which is closely tied to the vision and leadership of a small number of individuals. These scientists shaped not only the discipline within the University but also, ultimately, its national and international reputation.
2005-Present
The CET was founded in 2005, with the goal of creating a research centre based on a long-term business model, with a strong emphasis on industry-driven research in areas such as gold, nickel, iron ore, geophysics, and risk and value analysis. The mission of the Centre was to tackle the problems facing the exploration and mining industries through the application of cutting-edge science.