The Minerals Down Under Flagship is developing novel, online measurement technologies.

Transforming productivity through online analysis

A research focus of the Minerals Down Under Flagship is developing technologies to address online measurement needs in mining, mineral processing, and metal production.

• 23 March 2010 | Updated 14 October 2011

Overview

• The challenges
• Our goal

The challenges

The minerals industry is facing significant challenges – declining ore grades, increasingly complex ores with higher levels of impurities, and pressures to improve environmental performance leading to increased production costs.

To meet these challenges, the Flagship is developing novel, online measurement technologies that provide key analysis information at all steps from mine to metal.

When integrated with industrial control systems, these technologies underpin the process optimisation needed for ‘precision processing’.

These technology developments draw upon our deep understanding of measurement science, an extensive knowledge of mineral processing, and our ability to integrate component technologies into rugged instruments suited to industry’s needs.

CSIRO work's collaboratively with Australian and international mining companies to develop technologies from an initial concept to field-ready prototypes.

We extensively trial our systems before partnering with technology service providers to manufacture and deploy the technology globally.

The goal

The Minerals Down Under Flagship is developing technologies to underpin process optimisation, improving the competitiveness and environmental performance of the Australian minerals industry.

CSIRO's broad range of expertise is helping meet industry challenges.

We develop robust, industry-proven technologies that address major online measurement challenges in the mining and processing of commodities including:

• alumina
• coal
• copper
• gold
• iron ore
• platinum
• uranium.

Our developments are focused on the elemental, mineralogical and physical characterisation of ore at the mine face and in process streams.