Smart sensing innovation considered vital for zero emission mining
Image: NSSN Sensing, Mining and Water Workshop, 29 Nov 2021.
A workshop hosted by the NSW Smart Sensing Network (NSSN) on 29 November 2021, has convened expert academics, mining executives and the government to discuss innovative solutions to better understand the relationship between mining and water.
NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte opened the event by emphasising the importance of developing new technologies for zero emission mining.
“Being able to mine these days is not just about digging a hole in the ground, it's about developing an automated, decision-oriented, and net-zero approach to the entire mining business,” said Professor Durrant-Whyte.
Image: NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte.
“One of our most successful new players today is a company called NextOre, which uses magnetic resonance to determine the grade of material as it flies down a conveyor.
“What's interesting is that NextOre’s technology came out of a completely different area, in this case, medical devices, and the technology has been very successfully applied to grade determination.”
Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) Executive Director Professor Alan Broadfoot delivered a keynote speech on the benefits of collaboration between university researchers, industry and government as demonstrated by NIER’s success.
“Working together between the three platforms of government, academia and industry can be achieved. With NIER, we've created a platform that is about problem-solving and focusing on taking deep dives into what is the actual problem that's shared by all stakeholders. This is the same objective of the NSW Smart Sensing Network, which is a collective of universities working together with industry for successful outcomes,” said Professor Broadfoot.
International Copper Association Australia (ICAA) CEO Mr John Fennell provided a keynote talk on challenges faced by copper miners and pathways to collaboration for developing innovative solutions.
“Our ambition is to support reducing carbon and environmental footprint of the global copper mine and we believe that aligns quite closely with the aspirations of NSSN,” said Mr Fennell.
A report published in 2020, by ICAA in consultation with thirty industry experts, outlines a technology roadmap that envisions how copper mines can reduce broader impacts of excessive water use. The report suggests six innovation themes in areas of baseline measurement, dewatering, desalination, operational water use, tailings, and end-use and reuse.
“The use of water is essential to mining and water handling and use can really drive up energy intensity and costs,” Mr Fennell said.
“Sensing technologies are going to play a critical role in addressing the industry challenges we have identified right across the six innovation themes outlined in the report.”
Following the speeches, the participants formed six collaborative teams consisting of researchers and industry professionals to discuss sensing solutions in the six innovation areas outlined in ICAA’s report. Each group was led by an industry expert including Rod Naylor, GHD; Gareth Walter, Sacyr Water Australia; Kevin Tasker, Xylem Inc. Water Solutions Australia; Kevin Barber, Jord International; Bev Kubat, Amira Global and Dr Burkhard Seifert, OZ Minerals.
Image: NSSN Co-Director Prof. Benjamin Eggleton discussing the workshopped solutions.
NSSN Co-Directors Prof. Benjamin Eggleton and Prof. Julien Epps provided the final wrap-up discussion on the workshop outcomes and the event's closing remarks.
“Today’s workshop has brought industry researchers and government together and provided a platform for problem definition and idea generation. I've been really inspired by the energy, enthusiasm and commitment that everyone has shown towards the challenge of smart sensing for mining and water,” said Professor Epps.
“The call for proposals to the NSSN Grand Challenge fund is open until mid-February. This offers matched funding for collaborative projects between industry and universities in the areas of NSSN Grand Challenges, and mining is one of those.”
Learn more about NSSN Grand Challenges Fund (applications close on 21 February 2021) here.
Learn more about NSSN Grand Challenges here.
Declaration:
The NSW Smart Sensing Network is a consortium of eight leading universities across NSW and the ACT. Funded by the NSW Government through the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist & Engineer, the NSSN brings together academia, industry and government to translate world-class smart-sensing research into compelling solutions.
In 2019, NextOre was awarded $1.07 million by the NSW Office of the Chief Scientist & Engineer through the Physical Sciences Fund to fit its breakthrough grade detection system to mobile mining machinery.
The Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) is a flagship research institute at the University of Newcastle. At NIER, multidisciplinary teams are driving productivity and sustainability gains through applied research that is delivering transformational solutions in sectors of national significance - energy, resources, food and water.
The International Copper Association Australia (ICAA) is the peak body for the copper industry in Australia, representing some of the country’s most influential companies in mining, manufacturing, production and recycling.
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Media: Shahrzad Abbasi - 0466 548 145