Solution and surface speciation evolution during chalcopyrite leaching. This project will contribute to the development of a more effective industrial leach process for chalcopyrite, the source of more than 50 per cent of the world's copper, and will lead to substantially reduced processing costs and environmental impact, due to removal of the existing smelting step. In addition, the processing of currently uneconomic low grade ores would become economic.
Collection of coarse, composite particles by bubbles in flotation. The minerals industry is of great importance to the Australian economy and flotation is an essential process for the separation of base metals, non-sulphide minerals, and coal. Community benefits will come through lower energy and water consumption in mineral processing. The industry partners will benefit also through increased process efficiencies including increased recovery and lower costs, as well as an exposure to unique m ....Collection of coarse, composite particles by bubbles in flotation. The minerals industry is of great importance to the Australian economy and flotation is an essential process for the separation of base metals, non-sulphide minerals, and coal. Community benefits will come through lower energy and water consumption in mineral processing. The industry partners will benefit also through increased process efficiencies including increased recovery and lower costs, as well as an exposure to unique methodologies that will maintain their technological edge, and the potential to significantly increase their profitability by optimising their mineral processing operations. This project will contribute to the maintenance of a critical mass of research infrastructure at the partner organisations.Read moreRead less
The microbe factory: a novel approach to benign minerals processing. The purpose of this project is to reduce the environmental impact of current mining practices. The anticipated outcome of this project is the replacement of toxic chemicals used in the separation of minerals with the novel use of environmentally benign microbes.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100038
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
Scanning auger microscope facility for elemental imaging and characterisation of surfaces and interfaces. This project will establish a scanning auger microprobe facility as part of the Australian microscopy and microanalysis research facility. It will provide advanced characterisation and ultra-high resolution imaging of elemental species on surfaces, for researchers working in the areas of nano- and green technologies, and minerals processing.
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
Regrinding chemistry and particle breakage mechanisms in increased surface hydrophobicity on fine and ultra-fine particles in mineral flotation. This project will study the effect of regrinding chemistry and particle breakage mechanisms on the redistribution of flotation collectors and the evolution of the metal oxidation species on mineral surfaces. New technologies will be developed to increase mineral surface hydrophobicity and therefore increase fine and ultra-fine particle flotation.