Optimisation of Coal Flotation Performance. The aim of this project is to improve the cleaning of coal by flotation across the whole particle size range with maximum rejection of mineral matter and decreased reagent consumption. The factors that influence coal flotation will be identified and used to predict coal flotation performance. In particular the ultimate separability of coal will be addressed through a unique combination of in- and ex- situ pulp chemical and physical measurements, embedd ....Optimisation of Coal Flotation Performance. The aim of this project is to improve the cleaning of coal by flotation across the whole particle size range with maximum rejection of mineral matter and decreased reagent consumption. The factors that influence coal flotation will be identified and used to predict coal flotation performance. In particular the ultimate separability of coal will be addressed through a unique combination of in- and ex- situ pulp chemical and physical measurements, embedded in a comprehensive model of coal flotation.Read moreRead less
Short- and long-term mitigation strategies for acid and metalliferous drainage control from iron ore mine wastes. Acid and metalliferous drainage from mine wastes, caused by oxidation of sulfide minerals, particularly pyrite, are a critical environmental issue worldwide. Although options to retard sulfide oxidation exist, including encapsulation methods, chemical additives and inhibition of iron-oxidising bacteria, these suffer from long-term instability. The project aims to investigate mechanis ....Short- and long-term mitigation strategies for acid and metalliferous drainage control from iron ore mine wastes. Acid and metalliferous drainage from mine wastes, caused by oxidation of sulfide minerals, particularly pyrite, are a critical environmental issue worldwide. Although options to retard sulfide oxidation exist, including encapsulation methods, chemical additives and inhibition of iron-oxidising bacteria, these suffer from long-term instability. The project aims to investigate mechanistic approaches, using readily available mineralogical materials, to provide passivating conditions resulting in slowed oxidation rates. The project’s focus is on treatments for wastes from iron ore deposits which are of high economic significance to Australia. The outcome aims to be a treatment ‘pathway’ enabling practical waste rock treatment over the acid forming time-profile.Read moreRead less
Long-term acid rock and tailings drainage mitigation through source control. Effective long-term management of acid rock drainage (ARD) from sulfidic mine wastes in current, exhausted and legacy mine sites is of critical importance to communities and for sustainable mining. An optimised geochemical and microbial multi-barrier approach to long-term reduction of ARD to environmentally acceptable rates will be developed by this project.
Mechanisms for Pyrite Oxidation Control in Acid Mine Drainage. The annual costs of acid rock drainage (ARD) management at operating sites in Australia are $120M p.a.; over 15 years, a total cost of $1.8 billion for the whole industry. There are limitations to the ability of existing systems to cope with high capacity ARD, to the long-term effectiveness of these systems and high potential costs/liability of remediation. The value of the project outcomes to industry and government will be in reduc ....Mechanisms for Pyrite Oxidation Control in Acid Mine Drainage. The annual costs of acid rock drainage (ARD) management at operating sites in Australia are $120M p.a.; over 15 years, a total cost of $1.8 billion for the whole industry. There are limitations to the ability of existing systems to cope with high capacity ARD, to the long-term effectiveness of these systems and high potential costs/liability of remediation. The value of the project outcomes to industry and government will be in reduction of ARD release, well-understood long-term outcomes, reduced cost of treatments and improved control. The scale of these savings is in the tens of $M p.a. but also in potential improvements in environment (acid and toxic metals in streams), health and social quality of life in mining areas and towns.Read moreRead less
Critical metals from complex copper ores. The aims of this project address the critical mineral resource potential of complex copper ores. The research will generate new knowledge on the concentration, distribution, physical form and chemical speciation of critical minerals, including tellurium, cobalt and rare earth elements, in ores and processing streams using innovative approaches and utilising state-of-the-art analytical techniques. Expected outcomes include integrated models for critical e ....Critical metals from complex copper ores. The aims of this project address the critical mineral resource potential of complex copper ores. The research will generate new knowledge on the concentration, distribution, physical form and chemical speciation of critical minerals, including tellurium, cobalt and rare earth elements, in ores and processing streams using innovative approaches and utilising state-of-the-art analytical techniques. Expected outcomes include integrated models for critical element endowments in Australia's largest copper resource, Olympic Dam (S.A.). Future recovery of these elements would add significant value to existing operations, providing long-term economic and commercial benefits and would also contribute to Australia's transition to a low-carbon future.Read moreRead less
Advanced Nanoscale Materials Engineered from Diatomaceous Earth. Using natural materials of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a cheap and available resource by applying synthetic routes this project is directed towards the innovative development of new nanoscale materials with advanced properties. New mesoporous materials with intricate 3-D structures and nano sized features will be engineered from diatom silica for use in demanding applications such as separation and catalysis. These research outcomes ....Advanced Nanoscale Materials Engineered from Diatomaceous Earth. Using natural materials of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a cheap and available resource by applying synthetic routes this project is directed towards the innovative development of new nanoscale materials with advanced properties. New mesoporous materials with intricate 3-D structures and nano sized features will be engineered from diatom silica for use in demanding applications such as separation and catalysis. These research outcomes will enhance Australia's capacity in frontier technology and advanced materials, as well as bringing a competitive advantage to local industry through the development of such advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Environmentally Benign Flotation Chemicals. The research described in this proposal and the anticipated outcomes are concerned with replacing toxic and environmentally hazardous chemicals used in the mineral processing industry with benign chemicals that are biodegradable and have low toxicity. Replacing these chemicals reduces the risk of workplace injuries and damage to the environment that could be caused by industrial accidents.
Evaluation of reaction mechanisms and products in acid rock drainage treatments. There are more than 54 sites in Australia managing major ARD wastes (either >10% of the waste or >10M tonnes) with another 62 sites with less ARD. At operating sites, the annual costs are $60M p.a.; over 15 years, a total cost of $900M for the whole industry. The value of the project outcomes to industry (and government) in reduction of acid and toxic metal release and reduced cost of treatments is potentially in th ....Evaluation of reaction mechanisms and products in acid rock drainage treatments. There are more than 54 sites in Australia managing major ARD wastes (either >10% of the waste or >10M tonnes) with another 62 sites with less ARD. At operating sites, the annual costs are $60M p.a.; over 15 years, a total cost of $900M for the whole industry. The value of the project outcomes to industry (and government) in reduction of acid and toxic metal release and reduced cost of treatments is potentially in the tens of $M p.a.. Improvements in environmental and social quality of life in mining areas and towns will also result from improved treatment.Read moreRead less
Matching flotation concentrate composition to downstream processing in copper production at the Olympic Dam operations of BHP Billiton. This research is important for the Australian and South Australian economies. There are both large capital and operating costs benefits if a successful and robust mineral separation can be achieved. Being able to separate different copper sulphide minerals in copper concentrates will have global significance. In the particular case of Olympic Dam mine, the imp ....Matching flotation concentrate composition to downstream processing in copper production at the Olympic Dam operations of BHP Billiton. This research is important for the Australian and South Australian economies. There are both large capital and operating costs benefits if a successful and robust mineral separation can be achieved. Being able to separate different copper sulphide minerals in copper concentrates will have global significance. In the particular case of Olympic Dam mine, the impact of being able to separate the copper sulphide minerals at the mineral processing stage is a significant reduction in operating costs, which is a result of reduced ore handling, mining and smelting costs.Read moreRead less
Optimising the Recovery of Fine and Coarse Particles in Mineral Flotation. The collection of fine (<10 microns) and coarse (>100 microns) mineral particles by gas bubbles is the very heart of the selective froth flotation process. In the flotation of minerals, losses of fine and coarse value minerals equate to approximately $500M annually in Australia alone. The significance of flotation to the Australian economy may be judged from the fact that over $39b in commodity exports was derived from t ....Optimising the Recovery of Fine and Coarse Particles in Mineral Flotation. The collection of fine (<10 microns) and coarse (>100 microns) mineral particles by gas bubbles is the very heart of the selective froth flotation process. In the flotation of minerals, losses of fine and coarse value minerals equate to approximately $500M annually in Australia alone. The significance of flotation to the Australian economy may be judged from the fact that over $39b in commodity exports was derived from the minerals and energy industries in 2001, rising to well over $75b in 2005 (Australian Bureau of Statistics). These industries produce mineral concentrates of specific interest to our Industry Partner, such as copper, nickel, zinc and coal.Read moreRead less