The Resourcing Decarbonisation Showcase hosted by the Sustainable Minerals Institute at The University of Queensland’s Brisbane City campus in February highlighted projects from Resourcing Decarbonisation (RD), a UQ Strategic Program focused on the innovation needed to responsibly meet global Net Zero targets. RD has invested seed funding to over 20 projects in the past two years to catalyse impact-driven research.
During the event, researchers presented on a broad range of RD projects: sources of critical minerals; their associated risks; the impact climate will have on mining; how to better process metals; and how responsible acceleration can be achieved.
Christian Antonio, at SMI’s Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC), presented about a project where how High Voltage Pulse Comminution (HVP) Technology could improve leaching of ores via short-pulsed high voltage discharges, while keeping barren rocks intact.
“The expected outcome is a proof of concept of the technology of HVP leaching and what ores are applicable to it,” Dr Antonio said.
Two other speakers spoke of projects co-funded by the QUEX Institute, a partnership between The University of Queensland (UQ) and the University of Exeter.
SMI Research Fellow Juan Soto-Diaz outlined the economic incentives for mining companies to reduce tailings through the adoption of large-volume sand byproducts.
“Cost savings in tailings waste management and mine rehabilitation provide robust economic incentives for adoption,” Soto-Diaz said.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the University of Exeter Longxiang Zhao presented on how there are already some circular economy practices in the mining industry but the bottom line is still key.
“There is a need to demonstrate additional or equal benefits of circular economy practices,” he said.
SMI Director Professor Rick Valenta concluded the event with a reflection on how all the Resourcing Decarbonisation projects fit into the wider context.
"Responsible acceleration is about finding a way to fast track (mining projects) without creating a problem in the process," Professor Valenta said.
For videos of the presentations and more information on Resourcing Decarbonisation, please visit: https://smi.uq.edu.au/strategic-programs/resourcing-decarbonisation
