New Economy Mineral Testing Technology

The New Economy Mineral Testing Technology project aims to commercialise a suite of small-scale (~200 kg/h) continuous conventional and novel processing units which have been developed, or are under development, at The University of Queensland. This suite will allow mining companies to rapidly prototype various processing flowsheets for new economy minerals, mine tailing and battery minerals while incorporating novel processing units and flowsheets.

This technology will aid mining operations to identify innovative processing flowsheets with lower energy consumption, less waste, safer waste and better pathways to valorisation.  Maintenance of the status quo in mineral processing is not an option in the face of increased metal demand and lower metal grades, which, in the absence of change, would lead to exponential increases in energy consumption, emissions and tailings volumes.

The impact of this technology will be in aiding the mining industry to maintain profitability whilst lowering emissions and improving ESG performance through reduction in processing footprints.  Mining companies will be able to test innovative flowsheets faster and earlier in the life of a new project.