The carbonate geology of the critical metal niobium. This project aims to understand how pyrochlore, the major ore mineral of the critical metal niobium, forms in
Earth’s crust. Niobium is exclusively mined from carbonatite magma bodies in Brazil and Canada, despite proven
Australian resources. It is used in high strength steel alloys in the construction and transport industries. Expected
research outcomes include understanding how pyrochlore forms in carbonatites, development of exploration too ....The carbonate geology of the critical metal niobium. This project aims to understand how pyrochlore, the major ore mineral of the critical metal niobium, forms in
Earth’s crust. Niobium is exclusively mined from carbonatite magma bodies in Brazil and Canada, despite proven
Australian resources. It is used in high strength steel alloys in the construction and transport industries. Expected
research outcomes include understanding how pyrochlore forms in carbonatites, development of exploration tools
to locate niobium ore bodies which are unexposed at the surface, and investigation of environmentally and
economically sustainable technologies for metallurgical extraction of niobium from ore. The research is intended
to benefit Australia’s critical metals exploration and mining industries.Read moreRead less
The geochemistry of rare earth elements in carbonate melts. This project aims to determine why deposits of rare earth elements, which are critical for modern devices and technologies such as phones, tablets and plasma screens, are associated with carbonate magmas. The global supply of these critical metals is geopolitically unstable and, although Australia has significant reserves, there is very limited production. By improving our understanding of the geochemical behaviour of the rare earths th ....The geochemistry of rare earth elements in carbonate melts. This project aims to determine why deposits of rare earth elements, which are critical for modern devices and technologies such as phones, tablets and plasma screens, are associated with carbonate magmas. The global supply of these critical metals is geopolitically unstable and, although Australia has significant reserves, there is very limited production. By improving our understanding of the geochemical behaviour of the rare earths this project aims to develop new reverse-engineering methods for their extraction, which will improve the security of supply of these elements and enhance Australia's role in high-tech industries. The project will enhance the profitability of the Australian resources sector through improved extraction economics and will secure the supply of these critical metals for Australian high-tech industries and export. The outcomes will be targeted initially at junior resource companies that are not yet profitable.Read moreRead less
X-ray tomographic analysis and modelling of metallurgical coke. This project will apply 3D X-ray micro-tomography and model-based computational analysis to develop innovative approaches to the micro-structural characterisation of metallurgical coke. This has significant ramifications for the iron industry since coke characterisation is of primary importance to improved blast furnace productivity. The project will deliver new quantitative indices of coke microstructure, develop models for simulat ....X-ray tomographic analysis and modelling of metallurgical coke. This project will apply 3D X-ray micro-tomography and model-based computational analysis to develop innovative approaches to the micro-structural characterisation of metallurgical coke. This has significant ramifications for the iron industry since coke characterisation is of primary importance to improved blast furnace productivity. The project will deliver new quantitative indices of coke microstructure, develop models for simulation of micro-structural properties and coke transport properties, and examine coke reactivity in 3D contexts. This project will also be the first study to use multi-scale 3D X-ray tomographic analysis to examine the structural dynamics of coke during both its production and its use in the blast furnace.Read moreRead less
Mineral Physics and Crystal Chemistry of Ni-Co-Laterite Deposits. Ni-Co laterite deposits host more than 50% of the mineable Ni-Co resources on the planet. Australia and Australian mining companies have been major producers of Ni and Co in the past. To continue to play a significant role in the exploration, production, and environmentally sound remediation of Ni-Co laterite mining sites, Australian mining companies must increase their understanding of the mineralogy of Ni-Co-deposits. This res ....Mineral Physics and Crystal Chemistry of Ni-Co-Laterite Deposits. Ni-Co laterite deposits host more than 50% of the mineable Ni-Co resources on the planet. Australia and Australian mining companies have been major producers of Ni and Co in the past. To continue to play a significant role in the exploration, production, and environmentally sound remediation of Ni-Co laterite mining sites, Australian mining companies must increase their understanding of the mineralogy of Ni-Co-deposits. This research program proposes strategic micro-analytical and synchrotron-based research on the fundamental physical properties and crystal chemistry of Ni-Co-laterite minerals from selected deposits in Australia and around the globe.Read moreRead less
Composition, structure and evolution of the lithospheric mantle beneath southern Africa: improving area selection criteria for diamond exploration. The project will provide new insights into the detailed structure of the deep Earth (to about 250 km) and identify and predict zones of weakness that could focus kimberlite magmas that carry diamonds to the surface. A better understanding of the nature and location of these structures will lead to improved models for diamond exploration, enhancing th ....Composition, structure and evolution of the lithospheric mantle beneath southern Africa: improving area selection criteria for diamond exploration. The project will provide new insights into the detailed structure of the deep Earth (to about 250 km) and identify and predict zones of weakness that could focus kimberlite magmas that carry diamonds to the surface. A better understanding of the nature and location of these structures will lead to improved models for diamond exploration, enhancing the prospect of finding new deposits in Australia and abroad. Innovations in integrating information from geochemistry and geophysics, development of 3D imaging techniques, and extrapolation to past geological scenarios will provide new exploration tools, and also maintain our high international profile in research relevant to the National Priority on Developing Deep Earth Resources.Read moreRead less
A Mission to Very Early Earth: When Did Conditions Suitable for Life Emerge on Earth? A uniquely Australian resource - 4.4-4.1 Ga detrital zircons from the Jack Hills (WA) - represent the only tangible record of the Hadean Eon (4.5-4.0 Ga) and potentially contain information regarding the origin of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, continental lithosphere, geodynamo, and perhaps even life, during the earliest stages of Earth evolution. Following age characterization of 100,000 zircons, experiments in ....A Mission to Very Early Earth: When Did Conditions Suitable for Life Emerge on Earth? A uniquely Australian resource - 4.4-4.1 Ga detrital zircons from the Jack Hills (WA) - represent the only tangible record of the Hadean Eon (4.5-4.0 Ga) and potentially contain information regarding the origin of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, continental lithosphere, geodynamo, and perhaps even life, during the earliest stages of Earth evolution. Following age characterization of 100,000 zircons, experiments involving short-lived nuclear chronometers and tracers of continental evolution (Hf and O isotopes) will be undertaken on the most ancient zircons that could both radically our paradigm for early planetary evolution and permit assessment of whether life emerged during the Hadean Eon.Read moreRead less
Redox conditions in the earth's upper mantle and the implications for kimberlite petrogenesis, diamond formation and mantle metasomatism. Diamonds are an important and high value commodity. Australia is the world's leading producer in terms of carats, due mainly to the massive Argyle deposit in northern Western Australia. Although diamonds form at great depths in the earth, they are accessible at the surface because they are transported by rare volcanic rocks, kimberlites and lamproites. Despite ....Redox conditions in the earth's upper mantle and the implications for kimberlite petrogenesis, diamond formation and mantle metasomatism. Diamonds are an important and high value commodity. Australia is the world's leading producer in terms of carats, due mainly to the massive Argyle deposit in northern Western Australia. Although diamonds form at great depths in the earth, they are accessible at the surface because they are transported by rare volcanic rocks, kimberlites and lamproites. Despite their importance the genesis of these rocks is poorly understood. This research will address this, providing scientific constraints on models for formation of diamonds and their host volcanics, which will directly inform the minerals industry's exploration models. There will be an economic benefit to the nation in terms of more successful outcomes from exploration expenditure.Read moreRead less
Defects and Deformation in Olivine: From Molecules to Mantle. This project establishes the role of hydrogen in controlling olivine deformation, plate tectonics and mantle geodynamics. The unique application of innovative nanoscale simulation, microscale observation and geophysical characterisation ensures that results will have far-reaching impact in the Australian and International Earth Science community. In particular, our results will enable greater understanding of water migration in the m ....Defects and Deformation in Olivine: From Molecules to Mantle. This project establishes the role of hydrogen in controlling olivine deformation, plate tectonics and mantle geodynamics. The unique application of innovative nanoscale simulation, microscale observation and geophysical characterisation ensures that results will have far-reaching impact in the Australian and International Earth Science community. In particular, our results will enable greater understanding of water migration in the mantle, the formation of deep Earth mineral resources and lead to significant improvements in the interpretation of geophysical variations in Earth's lithosphere.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989828
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$245,000.00
Summary
An X-ray fluorescence analysis system to replace an existing 16 year old instrument. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is a basic analytical tool for the accurate and precise determination of the chemical composition of rock samples. Access to this technology is essential for the successful operation of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits. The Centre undertakes cutting-edge research on the geology, genesis, discovery and recovery of new mineral resources and equipping the Australian miner ....An X-ray fluorescence analysis system to replace an existing 16 year old instrument. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry is a basic analytical tool for the accurate and precise determination of the chemical composition of rock samples. Access to this technology is essential for the successful operation of the ARC Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits. The Centre undertakes cutting-edge research on the geology, genesis, discovery and recovery of new mineral resources and equipping the Australian minerals industry with world-class graduates. These activities are within National Research Priorities ((An Environmentally Sustainable Australia - Discovering Deep Earth Resources) and at the core of Australian national interests.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC230100035
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$5,000,000.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources for the Future. The proposed ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources aims to train the next generation of geoscientists needed to enable resourcing of the transition to a high-tech, clean energy society. Training of PhD students and postdoctoral scientists will primarily focus on bridging the gap between mineral systems science, mineral exploration protocols and ore processing/metallurgical extraction. This will provide geoscientists with an essential ....ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources for the Future. The proposed ARC Training Centre in Critical Resources aims to train the next generation of geoscientists needed to enable resourcing of the transition to a high-tech, clean energy society. Training of PhD students and postdoctoral scientists will primarily focus on bridging the gap between mineral systems science, mineral exploration protocols and ore processing/metallurgical extraction. This will provide geoscientists with an essential understanding of the whole value chain of the critical resources of the future.
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