Steve Barnes

Steve Barnes is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the School of Earth and Oceans, The University of Western Australia. He holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Toronto (1983) and has expertise in nickel, platinum, and palladium exploration, particularly in magmatic sulfide systems. His work contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goals related to responsible consumption and production (SDG 12) and industry innovation (SDG 9).

Research Interests: Barnes focuses on magmatic processes in komatiite and layered mafic-ultramafic complexes, sulfide deposit formation, and trace element geochemistry. His current studies include Ni-Cu-Co deposits in Western Australia and Canada, sulfur isotope evolution in oceanic crust, and the role of magma dynamics in ore genesis. Collaborations with CSIRO Mineral Resources highlight industry-relevant research in mining and resources.

Key Contributions: His 2022 study on the Nova-Bollinger deposit revealed critical insights into magma-country rock interactions, while 2025 work identified new Ni-sulfide deposit types in Western Australia. He has published 21 research outputs and shared datasets via CSIRO (e.g., isotopic data from Nova-Bollinger).

Professional Affiliations: Barnes is affiliated with CSIRO Mineral Resources, contributing to applied mineral exploration projects. He has advised on 3 supervised works, advancing the next generation of geoscientists.