#biology

Mineral Resources picture. These images are taken by Colin Veitch in the Microscopy Unit - he works in Waurn Ponds.

Investigating interactions between sulfide minerals and in-situ recovery fluids for copper mining

In-situ recovery (ISR) is emerging as a transformative technique for the extraction of copper (Cu) from Australian sediment-hosted deposits and reprocessing of mine tailings. In contrast to conventional hard-rock mining, ISR offers a non-invasive, environmentally sustainable and economically viable alternative, with the potential to unlock copper resources from low-grade or marginal deposits. As Cu is essential for the electrification of transport and renewable energy systems, ISR technologies hold significant potential to contribute to the global development and deployment of low-carbon energy and transport infrastructure in a manner that minimise impacts on the environment and local communities. This project, in collaboration with EnviroCopper Ltd, will investigate the mineralogical, geochemical, biological and kinetic aspects of fluid-rock interactions during ISR of the Kapunda Cu deposit, South Australia. By addressing these aspects, it will advance our understanding of ISR processes and support its broader adoption at both national and global scale.

Health and Biosecurity picture

Prediction of molecular interactions with RNA using AI

This Project will develop deep-learning models to predict interactions of ribonucleic acid (RNA) with other molecules. The expected outcomes are to improve prediction capabilities to decode RNA interactions in disease mechanisms, identify novel therapeutic modalities, and improve existing therapies for targeting RNA. This could result in enhanced capacity to design new therapies and potential to optimise RNA targeting molecules for therapeutic applications.