Research

The last decade has seen intensifying pressure on the mining industry to demonstrate its contribution to development. In this seminar Dr Anthony Kung presents research on how companies can organise for effective social performance. The research design comprises 11 elements that together constitute a strategic review of a company's social performance function.

There is increasing debate about the ‘circular economy’ and the role that mining could play in such a scenario, especially linked to the world’s efforts such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As always, when it comes to mining and its current status and future prospects, it’s still, and will always be about the physical and social environment.

Assoc Prof Paul Gow discusses four new publications (DIP023-026) recently released in the Warramunga Province mineral deposit series focussing on the Rover field to the southwest of Tennant Creek, NT.

Taking research out of the lab and into a live environment is always an extensive learning process yet, what if your lab is a live environment? Community based living labs are not new although only starting to emerge in Australia now with some importance. What if Australia had region based living lab that encompasses the traditional community aspects but also the surrounding industry and support business?

Dr Barry Noller outlines research as part of the rehabilitation of the Ranger Uranium Mine, which saw the development of water quality guideline values (WQGV) for uranium and other metals in local waterbodies to protect aquatic organisms from the effects of metal toxicity.

The presentation deals with the question from which condition onwards soil starts to show soil-like properties and how they relate to potential failure mechanisms for Tailings Storage Facilities. Special attention will be given to an emerging monitoring technology based on the electromagnetic measurement method dielectric spectroscopy.

The current global tensions between China and the West have the potential for leading to major disruptions in metal supply. This presentation will consider the latest data on supply security based on recent research conducted on resource efficiency, recycling, remanufacturing and frontier sources of metals. The presentation will also explore what role technical mineral processing research can play in relieving some of the stresses created by such geopolitics.