Carbon-neutral copper: unlocking metal value through carbon sequestration. This project aims to explore how the concepts of reaction-induced porosity and coupled dissolution-reprecipitation reactions, which have had a profound impact in geosciences, can be exploited in the context of ore processing through carbon sequestration. The project's main outcomes are to generate a new process that maintains porosity in ore, and a combination of lixiviants, for effective Cu metal recovery and Fe capture. ....Carbon-neutral copper: unlocking metal value through carbon sequestration. This project aims to explore how the concepts of reaction-induced porosity and coupled dissolution-reprecipitation reactions, which have had a profound impact in geosciences, can be exploited in the context of ore processing through carbon sequestration. The project's main outcomes are to generate a new process that maintains porosity in ore, and a combination of lixiviants, for effective Cu metal recovery and Fe capture. This project will benefit the mineral industry by providing an alternative to the current paradigm in Copper mineral processing that requires the destruction of the mineral hosting economic value, thereby developing sustainable mining technologies well suited for the increasingly complex ores being extracted in Australia. Read moreRead less
An investigation into the relationships between geology, geometry and wind blast magnitude & intensity in underground coal mining. In some underground coal mines where the roof comprises massive rock, the roof strata do not cave regularly as extraction progresses but hang up, leading to extensive areas of unsupported roof. These areas can suddenly collapse, compressing the air beneath and forcing it out of the void through surrounding openings giving rise to a potentially hazardous phenomenon kn ....An investigation into the relationships between geology, geometry and wind blast magnitude & intensity in underground coal mining. In some underground coal mines where the roof comprises massive rock, the roof strata do not cave regularly as extraction progresses but hang up, leading to extensive areas of unsupported roof. These areas can suddenly collapse, compressing the air beneath and forcing it out of the void through surrounding openings giving rise to a potentially hazardous phenomenon known as wind blast. The aim is to develop a fundamental understanding of the phenomenon and thus provide a basis on which to develop strategies to mitigate the hazard. Outcomes are expected to be improved levels of mining safety, technical viability and economics.Read moreRead less
Large-scale and long-term storage of Hydrogen in underground reservoirs. This project aims to test effective strategies to re-use Australia’s depleted gas fields for large-scale, long-term, renewable energy storage. With Australia’s energy system undergoing a radical hydrogen-based energy transformation, a critical challenge in the years ahead will be to effectively store massive volumes of hydrogen for long periods (months and years). The overall expected outcome of this research is to fully un ....Large-scale and long-term storage of Hydrogen in underground reservoirs. This project aims to test effective strategies to re-use Australia’s depleted gas fields for large-scale, long-term, renewable energy storage. With Australia’s energy system undergoing a radical hydrogen-based energy transformation, a critical challenge in the years ahead will be to effectively store massive volumes of hydrogen for long periods (months and years). The overall expected outcome of this research is to fully understand the performance and the geological and environmental implications of long-term storage of hydrogen in empty gas fields. Benefit: this foundational scientific knowledge is crucial if Australia is to effectively bring about this new, sustainable, affordable, long-term, hydrogen-storage solution. Read moreRead less
Long-term mechanical-flow performance of an enhanced geothermal reservoir. The project aims to improve methods to generate power from geothermal energy. Extraction of heat from deep earth is promising but so far inefficient. Heat is transferred when water is pumped underground, but recovery of heat is low and much water is lost. This project aims to investigate carbon dioxide (CO2) as an alternative to water. There are excellent prospects of relatively efficient recovery, and any loss of CO2 in ....Long-term mechanical-flow performance of an enhanced geothermal reservoir. The project aims to improve methods to generate power from geothermal energy. Extraction of heat from deep earth is promising but so far inefficient. Heat is transferred when water is pumped underground, but recovery of heat is low and much water is lost. This project aims to investigate carbon dioxide (CO2) as an alternative to water. There are excellent prospects of relatively efficient recovery, and any loss of CO2 in deep-earth geothermal reservoirs is beneficial because it represents permanent sequestration of carbon. The project plans to investigate the evolution of fluid-flow systems, recovery rate, long-term injectability, and mechanical-flow behaviour. Findings are expected to provide practical information on the geomechanical viability of this green power option.Read moreRead less
Innovative thermodynamic process control - the key to sustainable metal use. Large amounts of electronic goods such as computers and mobile phones are discarded each year in Australia. They contain both valuable and toxic metals so dumping them as landfill is unacceptable. Australia has a smelting method which could be adapted to reprocess this waste to recover the valuable metals, returning them for reuse. It would also safely handle the toxics. This project will determine the appropriate s ....Innovative thermodynamic process control - the key to sustainable metal use. Large amounts of electronic goods such as computers and mobile phones are discarded each year in Australia. They contain both valuable and toxic metals so dumping them as landfill is unacceptable. Australia has a smelting method which could be adapted to reprocess this waste to recover the valuable metals, returning them for reuse. It would also safely handle the toxics. This project will determine the appropriate smelting strategies and control methods. As a result, transportation of toxic materials overseas will be eliminated, environmental hazards will be reduced and our sustainable use of metals will be increased.Read moreRead less
Sustainable copper metallurgy and recycling – saving energy and resources. This project aims to develop new, powerful and sophisticated, computer-based models that can reliably predict the results of chemical reactions in complex, high temperature metal production processes. This project expects to use these models, initially applied to copper smelting systems, to enable the improved recycling of other valuable metals. These models should be able to be applied to a wide range of technologies use ....Sustainable copper metallurgy and recycling – saving energy and resources. This project aims to develop new, powerful and sophisticated, computer-based models that can reliably predict the results of chemical reactions in complex, high temperature metal production processes. This project expects to use these models, initially applied to copper smelting systems, to enable the improved recycling of other valuable metals. These models should be able to be applied to a wide range of technologies used in the metallurgical industry as most of the world’s metals are produced by these pyrometallurgical processes. This should provide significant benefits such as substantial improvements in productivity and process efficiencies, whilst at the same time delivering energy savings and improved use of valuable metal resources.Read moreRead less
The effect of contaminant carbon films on the leaching of gold. A major problem in cyanidation is preg-robbing, which results in severe gold losses to tailings. Too much emphasis has been placed on the blinding and characterisation of free carbon or graphite particles, instead of considering carbon or graphite as a layer on top of other ore particles. It is the aim of this project to investigate the effect of contaminant carbon layers on the leaching of gold from sulphide ores. The understanding ....The effect of contaminant carbon films on the leaching of gold. A major problem in cyanidation is preg-robbing, which results in severe gold losses to tailings. Too much emphasis has been placed on the blinding and characterisation of free carbon or graphite particles, instead of considering carbon or graphite as a layer on top of other ore particles. It is the aim of this project to investigate the effect of contaminant carbon layers on the leaching of gold from sulphide ores. The understanding of the exact role of carbon layers on mineral surfaces in both preg-robbing and leaching is essential to devise process strategies that could lead to improved extraction.Read moreRead less
Influence of scale effect on the strength of rock mass for the better prediction of slope stability in large open-cut mines. The proposed project has the potential to bring national economic benefits through sustainable infrastructure and environment, commercial enterprise and community health and safety. Mining industry in Australia plays a major role for creating significant employment in regional Australia, coal-fired electricity generation, and export income which underpins the international ....Influence of scale effect on the strength of rock mass for the better prediction of slope stability in large open-cut mines. The proposed project has the potential to bring national economic benefits through sustainable infrastructure and environment, commercial enterprise and community health and safety. Mining industry in Australia plays a major role for creating significant employment in regional Australia, coal-fired electricity generation, and export income which underpins the international competitiveness of the entire Australian economy. The proposed project will assist Australian mining industry in gaining a better understanding of the mechanics of failure of large open cut mines, an improved design approach for high steep slopes, and in developing a new set of guidelines which can be used to assess such a risk. Read moreRead less
Hydro-mechanical interactions in coal geo-sequestration of carbon dioxide. One of the most critical environmental issues facing society is that of global warming because of increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide released from burning of fossil fuels. Storage of CO2 in the ground, geo-sequestration, offers the promise of significant reductions in atmospheric CO2 release, particularly from coal fired power stations which produce 40% of Australia's CO2 emissions. The proposed project will lead ....Hydro-mechanical interactions in coal geo-sequestration of carbon dioxide. One of the most critical environmental issues facing society is that of global warming because of increasing concentrations of carbon dioxide released from burning of fossil fuels. Storage of CO2 in the ground, geo-sequestration, offers the promise of significant reductions in atmospheric CO2 release, particularly from coal fired power stations which produce 40% of Australia's CO2 emissions. The proposed project will lead to greater understanding and reduced risks during the injection and storage of CO2 in deep unmineable coal deposits. This will contribute to national efforts to reduce global warming, safeguard the Australian coal industry, and allow continued electricity generation from coal-fired plants. Read moreRead less
Differential solidification of steel slag to create a fertiliser co-product. The project aims to develop a process to separate phosphorus from steelmaking slag while the slag is still molten. Changing iron ore grades in Australia, especially increasing phosphorus content, places Australian iron ore products at a competitive disadvantage and attracts a significant financial penalty. The separation process is intended to facilitate recycling of an iron rich stream within the steelworks and product ....Differential solidification of steel slag to create a fertiliser co-product. The project aims to develop a process to separate phosphorus from steelmaking slag while the slag is still molten. Changing iron ore grades in Australia, especially increasing phosphorus content, places Australian iron ore products at a competitive disadvantage and attracts a significant financial penalty. The separation process is intended to facilitate recycling of an iron rich stream within the steelworks and production of a phosphorus rich co-product for agriculture. Benefits are anticipated to include increased utilisation of steel slag, creation of a valuable fertiliser co-product, decreased greenhouse gas emissions, and a reduction in the penalty applied to Australian iron ores.Read moreRead less