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Tony Tang
Emeritus Professor, Curtin University; Technical Advisor, Nimy Resources; Technical Director, Tangibility Consulting.
Tony Tang is a senior technical executive, advisor and academic research professor with more than 30 years of experience in the global resources and critical minerals sector.
Tony studied and graduated from Curtin University and worked as an engineer and metallurgist in the resources sector, developing expertise across the full life cycle of mineral processing, extraction, and refining, from concept development and testing to engineering design, construction, and steady-state operations.
Through this work, Tony became increasingly passionate about creating innovative and sustainable solutions for critical minerals and energy challenges and realised that collaboration between industry and academia would promote this twofold focus.
He has been regularly collaborating with academic and research institutions and now serves as an adjunct professor in critical minerals, co-supervising Australian and international honours, master’s and PhD candidates in extractive metallurgy and complex chemical processing. This role keeps him closely connected to innovation, emerging technologies and new talent in critical minerals and high-technology materials: insights he brings to industries and government as they navigate energy transition, technological change and workforce challenges.
As part of this role, Tony has led several cooperative research projects and recently successfully led the operations for the Cathode Precursor Production Pilot Plant (C4P) at Curtin University. Tony and his team successfully oversaw a AUD$15 million program for the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre (FBICRC), developing and optimising production of active materials for the chemistry used in lithium batteries.
Tony also works as an Executive Advisor and Technical Director, supporting Boards and executive teams to shape strategy, minimise major investment risks and translate advanced metallurgical and chemical processing technologies into commercially robust operations, aligned with environmental, social and governance (ESG) considerations.
A recognised leader in the industry, Tony recently served as Chair of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) Perth Branch, advocating for professional development and recognition within Western Australia’s minerals sector. He is also a Fellow and Chartered Professional of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (FAusIMM-CP) and a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).
Most recently, Tony was involved with critical minerals Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs), helping organisations move from navigating early-stage technology readiness towards commercial viability. This work supports the sustainable extraction and refining of critical minerals for use in advanced industries, including applications of strategic importance to Australian defence.