Research to deliver innovative solutions to mining industry

Published Wednesday, 20 April, 2016 at 02:44 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
The Honourable Dr Anthony Lynham

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy and Minister for Small Business
The Honourable Leeanne Enoch

Three Queensland scientists working on ways to overcome mining industry challenges through innovative research will share in $540,000 research funding granted by the State Government.

Minister for Innovation, Science and the Digital Economy Leeanne Enoch said this funding was part of more than $10 million awarded under the Queensland Government’s first round of Advance Queensland Research Fellowship and PhD Scholarship programs.

“Queensland is recognised internationally for its research in mining and engineering and we are home to many brilliant scientists, who work in a number of institutions and joint ventures, are working to develop new technologies and bring them to commercial success,” Ms Enoch said.

“These Advance Queensland Research Fellowships will assist the mining industry with addressing current challenges and developing innovative solutions to help Queensland remain internationally competitive.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Anthony Lynham said the research funding investment was a welcome boost for the industry.

“While the mining sector is currently facing global challenges, it remains vital to our economy,” Mr Lynham said.

“Important issues like increasing productivity, improving safety, reducing employment impacts, and training future mining engineers are being addressed with support from the $180 million Advance Queensland initiatives.

“These scientists will partner with industry organisations to ensure the research is translated into real practical application.”

Ms Enoch said each of these three recipients will receive $180,000 over three years to conduct their research. They are among 54 grant recipients statewide to share in $10 million of first round funding.

“The fellowships will help consolidate and improve on Queensland’s world-class reputation for research excellence, and each of these projects has the potential to benefit mining not only here in Queensland but globally,” she said.

“The fellowships will support emerging research leaders to establish research reputations by leading and managing projects. The recipients will be working with Queensland research institutions in collaboration with industry to ensure research is translated into commercial outcomes.” 

Advance Queensland Research Fellowship recipients that will be undertaking research to help the mining sector innovate are:

  • Dr Hong Peng, of The University of Queensland’s School of Chemical Engineering, is aiming to develop new pathways to unlock Queensland’s bauxite ore reserves through process technology innovation. In collaboration with Rio Tinto through the University of Queensland Rio Tinto Bauxite and Alumina Technology Centre, the project will look to enhance Queensland’s bauxite mineral reserves with respect to high silica bauxite and support the potential to expand the alumina industry. The research is also expected to deliver environmental improvements by minimising reagent use and reducing waste generation during alumina production.
  • Dr Pradeep Shukla, also from The University of Queensland’s School of Chemical Engineering will aim to upscale new technology to produce cyanide on-site for gold and base metal mines. In partnership with Synergen Met Pty Ltd, Dr Shukla will lead a team to develop a new and significantly safer technology for producing cyanide both on-site and on-demand, consequently avoiding the bulk transport of the toxic material. It will reduce risks associated with cyanide handling transportation and storage, reduce the environmental footprint of cyanide production and supply and reduce the end-user cost of cyanide.

  • Dr Sergio-Andres Galindo-Torres, of The University of Queensland’s School of Civil Engineering, in collaboration with Golder Associates, aims to introduce novel modelling and visualization technologies for their use in several areas related to the mining and energy sectors. These include coal seam gas extraction and the controversial hydraulic fracturing treatment.  Accurate simulation tools for these problems will maximize their outputs and minimize the potential hazardous effects as well as improve our current understanding. Queensland will benefit from this research in the short term by introducing state of the art simulation capabilities for these key economic sectors, and in the long term by contributing to the training of future engineers and scientists working in these areas.

Read more about the Advance Queensland Research Fellowships and PhD Scholarships recipients on the Advance Queensland website.

Media contact: Daniel Lato (Minister Enoch) 0438 830 201

                       Jan Martin (Minister Lynham) 0439 341 314