Research

Utilisation of a processing asset extends beyond the number of hours it runs for. When mines start to approach the end of their life, significant redundant capacity opens up in the mines processing assets. Is this capacity really redundant or can we re-think our approach to keep them delivering value at the design rate?

The Complex Orebodies program has now been going for 15 months. The program has the aim of identifying the challenges and solutions related to responsible unlocking of Complex Orebodies - orebodies which are currently inaccessible due to complexities across the range of Social, Environmental, Governance and Technical areas. This presentation will provide an update on the overall program, its performance against the original objectives, and future plans.

The seminar is linked to the risk factors preventing the utilisation of 75% of the world's large known copper resources.  A picture will be painted of how being able to link the processing route to the knowledge of primary rock properties can enable modelling, and therefore risk reduction and potential acceptance by the industry, of dramatically different approaches to the mining process.  Linking technical understanding to mapping routes that can dramatically change social benefit, environmental impact, water and energy usage, tailing and waste management, and long-term society benefit from mineral resources.

Iron oxide copper gold uranium ore is an important source of metal for Australia. Processing of IOCG-U ore is complex due to sequential separations resulting in multiple products and the need to carefully consider the deportment of radioactive elements. ‘For the process to be effective, geologists mineral processors pyro and hydro-metallurgists must work together.’