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
Modeling fluid flow and mineralisation at crustal interfaces. Several types of mineral resources, including some uranium, iron, and base metal ore deposits, may be created by fluid flow through and around interfaces in the Earth's crust. By understanding how, where and why such deposits form, we will assist exploration for future resources of these metals. Insights will also be gained into petroleum resource generation and extraction, the distribution of seismicity and volcanoes in time and spac ....Modeling fluid flow and mineralisation at crustal interfaces. Several types of mineral resources, including some uranium, iron, and base metal ore deposits, may be created by fluid flow through and around interfaces in the Earth's crust. By understanding how, where and why such deposits form, we will assist exploration for future resources of these metals. Insights will also be gained into petroleum resource generation and extraction, the distribution of seismicity and volcanoes in time and space, the problems of underground nuclear waste disposal and sequestration of CO2, and the potential for geothermal energy, with benefits in resource identification and/or hazard assessment in these areas.Read moreRead less
CO2-brine behaviour in high temperature geological processes: Microanalysis and significance. This project clearly lies within the national research priority of developing deep earth resources. It may strengthen our economic fabric through mineral deposit discoveries in Australia as well as other circum-Pacific countries. The proposed research will also indirectly enhance our understanding of the relationships between geosphere, biosphere, fluids and global greenhouse warming. By strong national ....CO2-brine behaviour in high temperature geological processes: Microanalysis and significance. This project clearly lies within the national research priority of developing deep earth resources. It may strengthen our economic fabric through mineral deposit discoveries in Australia as well as other circum-Pacific countries. The proposed research will also indirectly enhance our understanding of the relationships between geosphere, biosphere, fluids and global greenhouse warming. By strong national and international collaborations and our use of innovative frontier technologies of fluid microgeochemistry, we will expand recognition of Australia's world-class research capacities.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
ARC Centre of Excellence - in Ore Deposits. Australia's minerals industry faces a two-fold challenge - to find new ore deposits and to mine them with maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact. Those challenges demand a new generation of focused ore deposit research, tailored specifically for the Australian context. The Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits will provide the foundation of fundamental research required by a successful, efficient and sustainable Australian minerals industry ....ARC Centre of Excellence - in Ore Deposits. Australia's minerals industry faces a two-fold challenge - to find new ore deposits and to mine them with maximum efficiency and minimal environmental impact. Those challenges demand a new generation of focused ore deposit research, tailored specifically for the Australian context. The Centre of Excellence in Ore Deposits will provide the foundation of fundamental research required by a successful, efficient and sustainable Australian minerals industry. The Centre will also play a leading role in the undergraduate and postgraduate training of future geoscientists. The concentration of internationally recognised researchers in the Centre will ensure it maintains its premier position in the international ore deposit research arena.Read moreRead less
Fluid mixing in hydrothermal systems. Mixing of fluids within permeable rocks can cause significant chemical changes to the fluids and the rocks, for example it causes metals to be dissolved and transported. Accumulation into mineral deposits requires concentration mechanisms which are uncertain due to difficulty of detecting ancient fluid pathways. We will analyse these ancient fluids using new microanalytical and other combined techniques, thereby testing the role of fluid mixing as a mechanis ....Fluid mixing in hydrothermal systems. Mixing of fluids within permeable rocks can cause significant chemical changes to the fluids and the rocks, for example it causes metals to be dissolved and transported. Accumulation into mineral deposits requires concentration mechanisms which are uncertain due to difficulty of detecting ancient fluid pathways. We will analyse these ancient fluids using new microanalytical and other combined techniques, thereby testing the role of fluid mixing as a mechanism for efficient metal precipitation. The research has significance for exploration and models for mineral deposits, and for characterising other geological fluids, and provides opportunity for technical breakthroughs in microanalysis of fluid inclusions.Read moreRead less