MINING

Mining has evolved into an extremely sophisticated, 21st century industry and Australia is a global leader in developing new technologies. The smart mining cluster at the QCAT precinct incorporates CSIRO and a number of small to medium enterprises supporting the mining services sector.

Collaborative R&D at the precinct covers a broad range of mining activities from coal to hard rock and sand, underground and open cut systems. Research aims to improve safety, increase productivity and reduce environmental impact by providing applied technology solutions to major issues confronting Australia’s mining industry.

Research groups involved in the mining sector are:

• CSIRO
• Applied Mining Technologies Pty Ltd
• Cutting Edge Technology Pty Ltd
• GeoTek Solutions Pty Ltd

  ---

  CSIRO

Many of the initiatives in the mining research cluster fall under the broad goals established under the Minerals Down Under National Research Flagship.

The Minerals Down Under Flagship is planning to help transform the Australian minerals industry with revolutionary new technologies and ideas to solve technical challenges that will be associated with Australian mining operations in the future.

Research in the mining sector by CSIRO falls into four main categories:

• Mining Geoscience
• Coal Mining
• Metalliferous Mining
• Mining Automation

Mining Geoscience

QCAT's focus is to improve technologies and systems for understanding geological inputs across the life of mine processes. Key projects include:

• CoreProfiler - for rapid and consistent capture of drill core observations
• Sirovision - a solution for rock mass structure mapping and analysis issues
• Borehole logging - development of technologies and methods for analysis and interpretation of disparate borehole logging data
• Microseismics - a real-time microseismics system is being developed for underground coal mines

Coal Mining

• Longwall Top Coal Caving - research and development into mining coal seams over 4.8 m in thickness
• Inertisation - developing optimum proactive inertisation strategies to reduce the risk of heating/fires in underground longwall mines
• COSFLOW - reliable prediction and management of mining-induced water inflows and aquifer interference
• Transparent Flameproof Cover - for Australian coal mines to improve safety as well equipment diagnosis and preventable maintenance

Metalliferous Mining

• SMART*CUT - cutting tools for hard rock in mining and industrial applications
• Sand Mining Systems - development of underground sand mining systems
• Large Open Pit Mine Slope Stability Project - is addressing critical gaps in the knowledge and understanding of rock masses and the likely mechanism of failure in open pit mines
• ROESTM - a new non-entry mine method to improve mine safety and efficiency
• Deep sea mining - development of a potential template for progressing the deep sea floor mining industry

Mining Automation

CSIRO Exploration and Mining and the CSIRO ICT Centre's collaboration has continued to produce novel and robust industrial solutions as well as stimulate new science ideas. Key projects include:

• Truck and shovel automation
• Long distance remote control and automation
• Wireless Localisation and Protocols
• Landmark Longwall Automation
• Mine communications information system for real-time risk management
• Laser Scanning Technologies
• Long distance remote control and automation
• Sub-surface Imaging using Ground Penetrating Radar
• Collision Avoidance

CSIRO Exploration and Mining website

CSIRO ICT Centre website

Minerals Down Under National Research Flagship