Rapid approximate imaging of electromagnetic data acquired using multichannel distributed acquisition systems. This project will investigate techniques for rapid, multidimensiuonal imaging of electromagnetic data acquired using modern multichannel distributed acquisition systems. This research will provide high-resolution images of buried ore deposits at greater depths than is possible using current instruments and processing techniques.
The Coupling of Plasticity, Microstructure and Phase Transformations in the Design of Novel Magnesium Alloys for the Automotive Industry. The desire to reduce the weight of automobiles due to legislative requirements on fuel emissions and to reduce overall fuel consumption is the driving force behind research into the development of new Mg-based alloys to replace the heavier steel and Al-alloy components in automobiles. Given the enormous worldwide transportation market and the environmental and ....The Coupling of Plasticity, Microstructure and Phase Transformations in the Design of Novel Magnesium Alloys for the Automotive Industry. The desire to reduce the weight of automobiles due to legislative requirements on fuel emissions and to reduce overall fuel consumption is the driving force behind research into the development of new Mg-based alloys to replace the heavier steel and Al-alloy components in automobiles. Given the enormous worldwide transportation market and the environmental and legislative motivation for reducing fuel emissions, the development of new Mg-based alloys capable of meeting this demand from automotive manufacturers represents both a potentially large economic advantage to the country of development as well as helping to address the environmental concern about fuel emissions.Read moreRead less
A revolution in Earth History: Life and Environment in the Neoarchaean (2.5-2.8 Ga). This research will keep Australian scientists in the forefront of studies of early life on Earth. At a time when there is a great deal of interest in this topic because of the search for similar life elsewhere in the Solar System, this work will take a prominant place in international research. It will attract leading researchers from elsewhere, with consequent intellectual benefits, and will inspire students t ....A revolution in Earth History: Life and Environment in the Neoarchaean (2.5-2.8 Ga). This research will keep Australian scientists in the forefront of studies of early life on Earth. At a time when there is a great deal of interest in this topic because of the search for similar life elsewhere in the Solar System, this work will take a prominant place in international research. It will attract leading researchers from elsewhere, with consequent intellectual benefits, and will inspire students to careers in science.Read moreRead less
The early tectonic evolution of the Curnamona Province. This project aims to test the hypothesis that the Curnamona Province preserves evidence for an extension-related structural geology architecture. This will allow a comparison of the basin evolution, crustal architecture and mechanisms of basin development between the Curnamona Province and well-understood basins of the Mount Isa Inlier. The project is expected to add value to pre-existing databases, and deliver a plate tectonic and str ....The early tectonic evolution of the Curnamona Province. This project aims to test the hypothesis that the Curnamona Province preserves evidence for an extension-related structural geology architecture. This will allow a comparison of the basin evolution, crustal architecture and mechanisms of basin development between the Curnamona Province and well-understood basins of the Mount Isa Inlier. The project is expected to add value to pre-existing databases, and deliver a plate tectonic and structural framework to interpret basin evolution and constrain geochronology/geochemical analysis, and develop a three-dimesional crustal architecture. The results will provide new constraints on the evolution of the Australian plate, and how the Australian crust has evolved.Read moreRead less
Developing a new tectonothermal and mineralization history for the Capricorn Orogen, Western Australia: Assisting mineral exploration in greenfields terrains. Successful exploration models rely on the development of a reliable geological framework through which to understand the specific processes responsible for the formation of economic ore deposits. A framework cannot be constructed without robust age data. This Project will apply advanced geochronology, combined with regional- and deposit-sc ....Developing a new tectonothermal and mineralization history for the Capricorn Orogen, Western Australia: Assisting mineral exploration in greenfields terrains. Successful exploration models rely on the development of a reliable geological framework through which to understand the specific processes responsible for the formation of economic ore deposits. A framework cannot be constructed without robust age data. This Project will apply advanced geochronology, combined with regional- and deposit-scale field mapping, to formulate a new and improved stratigraphic and tectonic framework for a prospective greenfields region in Western Australia. Outcomes from this Project will lead to more effective exploration models and thereby better exploration targeting. Reducing uncertainty and risk in exploration is key to the discovery and development of deep Earth resources. Read moreRead less
From exploration to mining: new geological strategies for sustaining high levels of copper production from the Mount Isa district. Mineral production at the Mount Isa copper and Ernest Henry copper-gold mines is worth more than $ 1 billion per year and this has underpinned the northern Queensland economy for a number of years. These resources are being depleted at a high rate, and no significant new discoveries have been made in over a decade. This project will provide some of the tools to defin ....From exploration to mining: new geological strategies for sustaining high levels of copper production from the Mount Isa district. Mineral production at the Mount Isa copper and Ernest Henry copper-gold mines is worth more than $ 1 billion per year and this has underpinned the northern Queensland economy for a number of years. These resources are being depleted at a high rate, and no significant new discoveries have been made in over a decade. This project will provide some of the tools to define new resources for the next generation, ensuring the prosperity of the region and bolstering the Australian economy. The timing is critical given the long lead time between discovery and production (in the order of 5 to 10 years). If successful the research may have major financial impacts at local, regional and national scales. It may also improve mine safety.Read moreRead less
Fundamental experimental and modelling studies of slag/matte/metal/gas systems in support of sustainable copper smelting and converting technologies. Australia is in the midst of a sustained increase in demand for its mineral resources that is leading to expansion in production and major capital investments across the industry sector. Most of the primary production of copper metal in Australia takes place through the use of high temperature smelting technologies. New technologies and significant ....Fundamental experimental and modelling studies of slag/matte/metal/gas systems in support of sustainable copper smelting and converting technologies. Australia is in the midst of a sustained increase in demand for its mineral resources that is leading to expansion in production and major capital investments across the industry sector. Most of the primary production of copper metal in Australia takes place through the use of high temperature smelting technologies. New technologies and significant changes to existing smelting technologies are currently underway; driven by the need to improve both productivity and environmental performance. This research partnership will provide important fundamental information about the complex chemistries of these high temperature processes. This project will assist these process improvements and will provide competitive advantage to Australian industry.Read moreRead less
A new methodology for the measurement of transition metals ions in complex, high temperature oxide systems relevant to non-ferrous metal production. Complex multi-component molten oxide phases, known commonly as slags, are used in the high temperature production and refining of metals. The slag systems of commercial interest contain transition metals species, such as, Fe2+, Fe3+. Each of these species behaves as if it were a separate chemical component. Researchers at the University of Queensla ....A new methodology for the measurement of transition metals ions in complex, high temperature oxide systems relevant to non-ferrous metal production. Complex multi-component molten oxide phases, known commonly as slags, are used in the high temperature production and refining of metals. The slag systems of commercial interest contain transition metals species, such as, Fe2+, Fe3+. Each of these species behaves as if it were a separate chemical component. Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a new methodolgy, which enables the concentrations of these transition metal ions to be measured.
These types of measurements cannot be made with any of the techniques currently in use. The study will provide data on high temperature slags in a number of industrially and scientifically important systems. This approach will be applicable to a wide range of chemical systems in the fields of extractive metallurgy, materials science and geology; systems which could not previously be characterised.Read moreRead less
Carbothermal synthesis of titanium carbide. The project's ultimate aim is to develop a comprehensive understanding of carbothermal reduction of titania and ilmenite for titanium carbide production. The projects findings will be of importance to improving the efficiency of carbothermal reduction processes, which are major technologies in ferrous metallurgy, and to the development of titanium industry in Australia.
Australia is the world largest producer of rutile and ilmenite, which are mainly s ....Carbothermal synthesis of titanium carbide. The project's ultimate aim is to develop a comprehensive understanding of carbothermal reduction of titania and ilmenite for titanium carbide production. The projects findings will be of importance to improving the efficiency of carbothermal reduction processes, which are major technologies in ferrous metallurgy, and to the development of titanium industry in Australia.
Australia is the world largest producer of rutile and ilmenite, which are mainly sold overseas and partly processed to titania pigment. Development of the cost-efficient technology for titanium carbide will stimulate a domestic production of this advanced material, what will add enormously to the value of titanium minerals.Read moreRead less
Utilisation of manganese sludge in production of manganese alloys. Australia possesses one of the world's best deposits of manganese ore, and has the potential to increase production of manganese alloys. This depends strongly on the competitiveness of Australian manganese industry. Deposition of manganese sludge, which is formed in ferroalloy furnaces, in fume dams in Bell Bay is costly, occupies valuable land, and causes an environmental concern. Utilisation of manganese sludge back into ferroa ....Utilisation of manganese sludge in production of manganese alloys. Australia possesses one of the world's best deposits of manganese ore, and has the potential to increase production of manganese alloys. This depends strongly on the competitiveness of Australian manganese industry. Deposition of manganese sludge, which is formed in ferroalloy furnaces, in fume dams in Bell Bay is costly, occupies valuable land, and causes an environmental concern. Utilisation of manganese sludge back into ferroalloy furnace will make operation of Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company more efficient, sustainable and will stimulate further development of manganese industry in Australia. Read moreRead less