Changing the face of mining
A ‘social licence’ continues to be the top business risk for the mining and metals industry today. While it is promising to see the industry start to embrace new ways to more effectively engage communities, one could argue that the inherent problem still remains: the way we mine. JONATHAN LAW writes
Precisely does it
If there's an endgame in mining technology it could be the vision of low footprint, precision mining. Making this a reality is the intelligence to map, sense, track and understand minerals from their fundamental formation beneath our feet deep in the earth, as they move through the mining process to their final stage as commodities.
Mining the moon and Mars using autonomous robots is a pathway to prepare the way for future crewed missions, and potentially even human habitation. Australia is at the centre of the world’s most advanced mining industry innovation, and is looking to take to its know-how out of this world.
Textures define performance
Geometallurgy is being used to predict how chemically-similar iron ores can be processed more efficiently and cost-effectively based on their different textures or physical structures – with benefits at every stage of the value chain.
Virtual core: a library of Australia's mineralogy
It's estimated that there are more than 10 million metres of drillcore samples in vast warehouses around Australia, crammed with invaluable information for government, industry and researchers. The National Virtual Core Library is a fast-growing, globally-unique, open-access online resource of Australia's mineralogy.
Cloncurry region orebodies take shape
A breakthrough in integrating geophysical data will help to create 3D maps of orebodies, as well as deep mineral systems in Queensland's Cloncurry region. The innovative tools and techniques developed will enhance exploration efforts across Australia.
Drawing the line between rock types
We've developed a logging tool that automates the interpretation of different rock types in drillcore to enable rapid and reliable geological logging. The result is faster logging and more accurate 3D geological models.