SMI brings together excellent research for lasting change in the resource industry
Our position within The University of Queensland, and our ability to link research and practice across several disciplines, sets us apart and adds unique value to our work.
Highlights
- Air Health Risk Assessment of Contaminants to Mount Isa City, which found there was a relatively low risk to young children from airborne lead in Mount Isa. The research found that ingestion of lead present in soil and surface dust were the key contributors to blood lead levels in Mount Isa children and that the contribution of lead from airborne dust via inhalation was less than five per cent and insignificant in comparison to ingestion.
- The SMI-Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining (SMI-CSRM) has authored four leading practice guides for Rio Tinto on key social performance issues, including: gender, cultural heritage, human rights and land use agreements.
- Hyperaccumulator plants are plants that concentrate metals in their leaves and sap - and enabling phytomining. Phytomining is a new technology to recover metals, such as nickel, from mining waste or contaminated land by growing and harvesting these plants and extracting metal from their biomass.
- The Mine Rehabilitation and Closure (MRC) Wiki online resource has made it much easier to access knowledge on rehabilitating and preparing to close mining sites, which is now being managed by the Central Queensland Mine Rehabilitation Group (CQMRG). They aim to sustain and expand the tool through engagement with its members and an active working group.