Hinterland firm funded to develop new mine tailings technology

Advance Queensland funding will help a Sunshine Coast Hinterland firm unlock new technology for managing tailings from mining operations, making them safer for people and the environment.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business Leeanne Enoch today congratulated Kinetic Group Worldwide, a specialist advisor to the mining industry, on securing Advance Queensland Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) third round funding for development of their innovative technology.

“Kinetic will use the $33,412 grant to collaborate with a PhD graduate from the University of Queensland’s School of Chemical Engineering who specialises in mineral processing,” Ms Enoch said.

“Together, they will develop this ground-breaking technology which will be a leap forward in terms of the way mine operators deal with waste material left over after the ore is separated.

“This is important technology for Queensland in that current methods of storing tailings are costly and can pose contamination risks to people and the environment.”

Kinetic Group Worldwide Chief Executive Officer Luke Berry said Queensland and the world would benefit from having better ways of managing mining residues.

"Our goal is to develop testing procedures and a predictive model to better deal with the challenges of removing clays and other solids from saline mine tailings," Mr Berry said.

"The technology we envisage will reduce waste treatment costs, enable greater re-use of water for further mining operations and reduce the impact of tailings on the environment and human communities.

"This Advance Queensland grant will give us access to the technical research we need to develop and commercialise the technology.”

Kinetic Group Worldwide is one of seven businesses selected for third round funding – up to $50,000 towards the cost of placing an Honours, Masters or PhD graduate to work on an innovative project with potential to drive economic growth for Queensland.

“Through this program, the Palaszczuk Government has committed $2 million to fund 38 graduates to work with businesses across the state,” Minister Enoch said.

“All of the projects we are funding have been carefully selected for their potential to boost the economy and create jobs for Queenslanders.”

Advance Queensland is a $405 million suite of initiatives to transform the state’s economy, create knowledge jobs of the future and build Queensland’s reputation as a global innovation and investment destination.

For more information about Knowledge Transfer Partnerships go to the Advance Queensland website.

Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 830 201