Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. This project aims to understand the process of starch-mineral surface interactions, and design and develop tailored starch depressant/flocculant biopolymers for mineral beneficiation via the froth flotation process. Natural and modified starches are used as depressants and flocculants in mineral flotation, but scientists lack knowledge of mechanisms describing s ....Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. Designing starches for increased productivity in mineral flotation. This project aims to understand the process of starch-mineral surface interactions, and design and develop tailored starch depressant/flocculant biopolymers for mineral beneficiation via the froth flotation process. Natural and modified starches are used as depressants and flocculants in mineral flotation, but scientists lack knowledge of mechanisms describing starch-mineral surface interactions, particularly how they process base metal sulphides. This project also intends to develop starch characterisation techniques and novel methods for modifying starch structures and functionalities. Anticipated outcomes are new novel manufacturing applications for starch in Australia.Read moreRead less
Enhancing Direct Cu Recovery through Increased Gas Processing Understanding. This project aims to investigate mechanisms of copper loss during smelting and find new ways to reduce the loss. Smelting, which produces copper matte product and slag tailings, is an important step of the copper-making process from copper sulphides. The loss of copper to slag can be as high as 12 per cent. The project aims to create new knowledge about copper loss by matte droplets floated with gas bubbles generated by ....Enhancing Direct Cu Recovery through Increased Gas Processing Understanding. This project aims to investigate mechanisms of copper loss during smelting and find new ways to reduce the loss. Smelting, which produces copper matte product and slag tailings, is an important step of the copper-making process from copper sulphides. The loss of copper to slag can be as high as 12 per cent. The project aims to create new knowledge about copper loss by matte droplets floated with gas bubbles generated by chemical reactions to the slag phase. The outcomes are intended to enable copper smelters to maximise direct copper recovery, reduce copper production costs and increase the productivity of the smelting process.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH130200031
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,273,780.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Advanced Technologies for Australian Iron Ore. ARC Research Hub for Advanced Technologies for Australian Iron Ore. This Research Hub aims to bring together three world-class groups covering fine particle beneficiation, raw materials handling, and iron ore characterisation to address the complex issues that arise from the different ore types that have emerged in recent years. This Research Hub will focus on the development and adoption of advanced beneficiation and handling t ....ARC Research Hub for Advanced Technologies for Australian Iron Ore. ARC Research Hub for Advanced Technologies for Australian Iron Ore. This Research Hub aims to bring together three world-class groups covering fine particle beneficiation, raw materials handling, and iron ore characterisation to address the complex issues that arise from the different ore types that have emerged in recent years. This Research Hub will focus on the development and adoption of advanced beneficiation and handling technologies into iron ore mining operations, and new knowledge for informing producers and end-users, while providing the training for a new generation of research leaders.Read moreRead less
Depressing pyrite in selective flotation of complex polymetallic ores . This project aims to understand the reactions taking place on the major gangue (waste) mineral during the recovery of base-metal and precious minerals. The mining industry is processing low grade complex ores and experiencing difficulties in rejecting gangue minerals in mineral separation and metal extraction plants. The project will develop new technologies that manipulate these reactions to achieve mineral separation and ....Depressing pyrite in selective flotation of complex polymetallic ores . This project aims to understand the reactions taking place on the major gangue (waste) mineral during the recovery of base-metal and precious minerals. The mining industry is processing low grade complex ores and experiencing difficulties in rejecting gangue minerals in mineral separation and metal extraction plants. The project will develop new technologies that manipulate these reactions to achieve mineral separation and metal extraction efficiently and economically. These technologies may provide value in processing low quality complex polymetallic resources using low quality water, whilst halving the operating costs of mineral concentrators and providing corresponding reductions in harmful emissions.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH140100035
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Computational Particle Technology. ARC Research Hub for Computational Particle Technology. This research hub aims to develop and apply advanced theories and mathematical models to design and optimise particulate and multiphase processes that are widely used in the minerals and metallurgical industries. This should be achieved through detailed analysis of the fundamentals governing fluid flow, heat and mass transfer at different time and length scales, facilitated by various ....ARC Research Hub for Computational Particle Technology. ARC Research Hub for Computational Particle Technology. This research hub aims to develop and apply advanced theories and mathematical models to design and optimise particulate and multiphase processes that are widely used in the minerals and metallurgical industries. This should be achieved through detailed analysis of the fundamentals governing fluid flow, heat and mass transfer at different time and length scales, facilitated by various novel research techniques. Research outcomes including theories, computer models and simulation techniques, as well as well-trained young researchers, should have a significant impact across a range of industries of vital importance to Australia’s economic and technological future, including the minerals, metallurgical, materials, chemical, energy, pharmaceutical and environment sectors.Read moreRead less
Hot stage separation of non-ferrous fraction during iron ore reduction. The project aims to provide in-situ investigation of the behaviour and properties of the non-ferrous fraction in iron ore during reduction. The results aim to allow industry to: improve the quality of the final metallic iron product; economically separate and recover high-value non-ferrous impurities in the iron ore; reduce waste generated by ironmaking; and enable utilisation of, and add value to, iron ores that currently a ....Hot stage separation of non-ferrous fraction during iron ore reduction. The project aims to provide in-situ investigation of the behaviour and properties of the non-ferrous fraction in iron ore during reduction. The results aim to allow industry to: improve the quality of the final metallic iron product; economically separate and recover high-value non-ferrous impurities in the iron ore; reduce waste generated by ironmaking; and enable utilisation of, and add value to, iron ores that currently are not commercially viable due to their high impurity levels and low iron contents. The project aims to help expand the mining potential of the currently unviable iron ore deposits and enable industry to maintain the economic benefits from iron ore production in the years to come.Read moreRead less
Three-dimensional flotation of fine particles. Three-dimensional flotation of fine particles. This project aims to research three-dimensional flotation of fine particles under both batch and continuous steady state conditions. In flotation, fine hydrophobic particles adhere to the two-dimensional surface of rising air bubbles, forming concentrate. In three-dimensional flotation, however, the particles adhere to and become embedded in a novel binder, forming a highly buoyant product. The process ....Three-dimensional flotation of fine particles. Three-dimensional flotation of fine particles. This project aims to research three-dimensional flotation of fine particles under both batch and continuous steady state conditions. In flotation, fine hydrophobic particles adhere to the two-dimensional surface of rising air bubbles, forming concentrate. In three-dimensional flotation, however, the particles adhere to and become embedded in a novel binder, forming a highly buoyant product. The process is very selective and arguably 1000 times faster than conventional flotation. The project is expected to provide the knowledge required to achieve scale-up, so the technology can be used to recover high value product from tailings waste, eliminating the capital impediment and possibly transforming the entire mining industry.Read moreRead less
Surface characteristics and hydrodynamics in detachment of coarse particles. Froth flotation is widely used for separating coal and minerals from the gangue. The largest particles that can be floated in the industry are 10 times smaller than the particles that can be floated under quiescent conditions. This project aims to better understand and quantify the detachment of large particles from the bubble surface. It aims to develop innovative modelling and experimental approaches to examine the ef ....Surface characteristics and hydrodynamics in detachment of coarse particles. Froth flotation is widely used for separating coal and minerals from the gangue. The largest particles that can be floated in the industry are 10 times smaller than the particles that can be floated under quiescent conditions. This project aims to better understand and quantify the detachment of large particles from the bubble surface. It aims to develop innovative modelling and experimental approaches to examine the effect of particle surface characteristics and hydrodynamic conditions on coarse particle detachment and flotation. New ways to save energy by floating coarse composite particles are proposed to be developed. This research is at the forefront of flotation science and technology, and is expected to deliver significant outcomes to the mining industry.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100220
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$200,000.00
Summary
A study of the bulk and surface responses of ores to high voltage pulses applied using a selFrag Lab. Minerals account for 40% of Australia's exports and mining is a major Australian employer. The health of the industry is integral to Australia's prosperity. Recent events have shown that mining cannot rely on high commodity prices but must continually seek efficiency improvements. This will be even more critical as production depends increasingly on low-grade ore deposits. Using selFrag Lab, ....A study of the bulk and surface responses of ores to high voltage pulses applied using a selFrag Lab. Minerals account for 40% of Australia's exports and mining is a major Australian employer. The health of the industry is integral to Australia's prosperity. Recent events have shown that mining cannot rely on high commodity prices but must continually seek efficiency improvements. This will be even more critical as production depends increasingly on low-grade ore deposits. Using selFrag Lab, the response of different ores to high voltage pulses will be studied to identify processes that liberate a greater percentage of valuable minerals while using less energy and less water and keeping toxic elements bound in larger waste particles. SelFrag-based research will therefore deliver major economic and environmental benefits to Australia.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals. The aim of the Centre is to progress scientific knowledge to establish transformational improvement in minerals beneficiation, essential for meeting global demand for metals. The research aims to achieve more selective, faster, and efficient separations, combining major advances in separation technologies with increased functionality of new reagents. The Centre outcomes will also ensure the sustainability of the miner ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals. The aim of the Centre is to progress scientific knowledge to establish transformational improvement in minerals beneficiation, essential for meeting global demand for metals. The research aims to achieve more selective, faster, and efficient separations, combining major advances in separation technologies with increased functionality of new reagents. The Centre outcomes will also ensure the sustainability of the minerals industry in Australia, through a significant reduction in cost, environmental impact, and through lower energy and water usage. The Centre also seeks to establish a new generation of scientists and research leaders in minerals beneficiation to support the innovation needed into the future by this major Australian industry.Read moreRead less