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
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC190100017
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,703,664.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Integrated Operations for Complex Resources. This Training Centre aims to increase value in mining through clever applications of ‘lean processing’ and train the next generation of scientists and engineers in advanced sensors and data analytics in complex resources; knowledge priorities for the mining industry. Sensor information will be linked to the resource’s in-place knowledge to enable data analytics of all embedded knowledge. Processing can then be tuned to resource ....ARC Training Centre for Integrated Operations for Complex Resources. This Training Centre aims to increase value in mining through clever applications of ‘lean processing’ and train the next generation of scientists and engineers in advanced sensors and data analytics in complex resources; knowledge priorities for the mining industry. Sensor information will be linked to the resource’s in-place knowledge to enable data analytics of all embedded knowledge. Processing can then be tuned to resource attributes, maximising value ‘on the fly’. Benefits will include increasing certainty on product quality and maximising throughput and recovery. Outcomes will include new tools to rapidly model geological and geometallurgical uncertainty with sensor inputs, to track the resource to product and enhance interpretation.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC230100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,999,600.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Radiation Innovation. This Centre aims to train the next generation of transdisciplinary leaders to enable, grow and transform industries that utilise or are impacted by radiation. Rapid growth in the natural resources, health, space and national security sectors urgently requires a highly capable workforce with scientific and regulatory knowledge to develop new technologies and social licence needs to maximise benefits. Outcomes include new methods of radiopharmaceutical ....ARC Training Centre for Radiation Innovation. This Centre aims to train the next generation of transdisciplinary leaders to enable, grow and transform industries that utilise or are impacted by radiation. Rapid growth in the natural resources, health, space and national security sectors urgently requires a highly capable workforce with scientific and regulatory knowledge to develop new technologies and social licence needs to maximise benefits. Outcomes include new methods of radiopharmaceutical production, more resilient spacecraft and robust regulatory frameworks. Industries and communities will benefit from a future workforce prepared for safe adoption, development and delivery of emerging techniques and advanced radiation technologies, enhancing Australia’s prosperity and security.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
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH130200033
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$2,526,617.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Australian Copper-Uranium. ARC Research Hub for Australian Copper-Uranium. This Research Hub aims to develop, test and commercialise new, safe and cost-effective methods to separate radionuclides from copper concentrates derived from copper/uranium ores. The Research Hub will focus on harnessing the expertise and facilities of Australia's key 'resource' companies and universities to enable Australia to position itself as a world leader in copper production and associated tec ....ARC Research Hub for Australian Copper-Uranium. ARC Research Hub for Australian Copper-Uranium. This Research Hub aims to develop, test and commercialise new, safe and cost-effective methods to separate radionuclides from copper concentrates derived from copper/uranium ores. The Research Hub will focus on harnessing the expertise and facilities of Australia's key 'resource' companies and universities to enable Australia to position itself as a world leader in copper production and associated technology.Read moreRead less
Engineering the sulphidising reactions for flotation of low quality ores. Engineering the sulphidising reactions for flotation of low quality ores. This project aims to engineer sulphidisation reactions to enhance the flotation of low quality ores for the minerals industry. Sulphidisation uses flotation to enrich base metal and precious minerals from low quality ores containing oxides and oxidised sulphides before expensive leaching or smelting. However, the current sulphidisation method is neit ....Engineering the sulphidising reactions for flotation of low quality ores. Engineering the sulphidising reactions for flotation of low quality ores. This project aims to engineer sulphidisation reactions to enhance the flotation of low quality ores for the minerals industry. Sulphidisation uses flotation to enrich base metal and precious minerals from low quality ores containing oxides and oxidised sulphides before expensive leaching or smelting. However, the current sulphidisation method is neither efficient nor widely used. This project will tailor sulphidisation reactions to generate desirable surface products that are not sensitive to flotation conditions. The intended outcome of this project is to provide a step change value in processing low quality resources while minimising the environmental effects of stockpiles.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100149
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Spectroscopic imaging for materials, minerals and life sciences. The spectroscopic imaging equipment highlighted in this proposal will produce a number of outcomes of national benefit. First, it will elevate the impact of research in materials, minerals, and life sciences in Australia, all of which are key areas for the national economy and community. Second, the equipment will be integral to the teaching and research nexus and experiential learning facility for a new wave of materials science ....Spectroscopic imaging for materials, minerals and life sciences. The spectroscopic imaging equipment highlighted in this proposal will produce a number of outcomes of national benefit. First, it will elevate the impact of research in materials, minerals, and life sciences in Australia, all of which are key areas for the national economy and community. Second, the equipment will be integral to the teaching and research nexus and experiential learning facility for a new wave of materials science and engineering students to be educated at UniSA in the EIF-funded M2 building at Mawson Lakes. Finally, the anticipated outcomes of the research to be supported are significant and relate clearly to a number of National Research Priorities.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
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
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