Process productivity

We are a leading provider of mining and metal production process technology solutions. We build on science and CSIRO’s deep mineral resources expertise to drive process productivity improvements in collaboration with METS and mining industries as well as other research institutions. Together we create value, maximise efficiencies, minimise environmental impacts and provide accurate information towards better decision making.

We imagine. We collaborate. We innovate.

Minerals Process Optimisation

Slurry optimisation

Our work with Murrin Murrin Operations demonstrates how our drag reduction technology can optimise thickened slurry transport and reduce water consumption in mineral processing plants.

Text - Alta 2020 7 - 14 Novemeber Perth Australia

Insights from ALTA ISR 2020

Knowledge of in-situ recovery (ISR) technology is expanding, as are the opportunities for the mining industry. Dr Laura Kuhar discusses the biggest insights from the ALTA ISR 2020, including key challenges & next steps.

Worker in hard hat in greenscale colours overaid with tile of conference: Lithium and battery metals conference 2020

The future of the battery supply chain

The 2020 AusIMM Li & Battery Conference provided new and interesting insights into the future battery metals market. Emerging themes focus on adopting sustainable processing practices, diversifying the supply chain, and process-intensive market opportunities to introduce manufacturing capabilities to capture more downstream value-adding processes.

Flocculants and tailings

Understanding, choosing and implementing the right flocculant can improve dewatering capabilities on your tailings treatments and TSF management.

Cloured lines flowing around a red cylindrical object

Processing complex slurries

Emerging technology helping with rheological characterisation of complex slurries can improve processing and remove then need for a ‘dilution solution’

Three people in hi-vis working in industrial processing plant

Industry placements to accelerate innovation

Staff secondments, exchanges and short term contracts are some ways we can embed our R&D expertise in your organisation to help you bridge knowledge gaps & build better processes

Cartoon of a battery surrounded by a circle emanating electric sparks

Breaking into the battery minerals market

The emergence of new ways to collaborate with external experts is providing better opportunities for mineral processing operations to break into the battery minerals market.

A new approach to tailings management

Tailings management has long been a concern in mineral processing operations, and recently has been brought back to our attention after multiple facility failures. In this month’s blog, we look at how switching from a reactive to a proactive approach to tailings management can provide more long term economic, social and safety benefits.

Barren field showing pipes emerging from ground

Finding value in in-situ recovery

In-situ recovery is providing a step towards invisible mining, helping more mineral processing operations lower their financial and environmental burdens

Female in white lab coat sitting at computer operating equipment

Improve your operational risk control

Learn how you can reduce and eliminate HSE risks in mineral processing operations through implementation of engineering controls for all significant hazards.

Dealing with low-grade ore

Emerging technologies are improving the characterisation and sorting capabilities of plants, allowing them to divert low-grade ore from downstream processing.

Greener and safer leaching options

Non-hazardous leaching alternatives are slowly being explored and implemented across new & existing mining operations, creating sustainable practices to improve output and decrease risk. We share some golden examples.

Insights from 2019 World Gold Conference

To remain sustainable into the future, the Australian gold mining industry needs to engage innovators to help them address and resolve key environmental, social and governance issues.

Reducing the carbon intensity of metals production

Metal production relies strongly on carbon, and therefore reducing your carbon intensity is not simple. With growing pressure on operations to cut CO2 emissions our latest blog discusses different process changes that could reduce your carbon intensity.

Aerial view of a processing plant in a warehouse

Erosion of plant equipment

Preventing premature erosion of mineral processing equipment through fluids engineering can minimise the high-level cost and risk of relying on replacements

Insights from AusIMM Lithium & Battery Metals Conference 2019

The AUSIMM conference 2019 provided great insight into the switch towards including downstream processing in new battery minerals processing builds. As the opportunities for new processing operations increase, so do the expectations that mining operators will create value for local communities.

Silhoutte of men in hard hards in front of furnance countaining molten steel

Metallurgical testwork

Falling ore grade and increasing ore complexity are making metallurgical testwork more challenging. We can help you overcome insufficient testing.

Optimising processes at pilot scale

Pilot scale facilities present a more accurate representation of process optimisation than other scale and modelling methods alone.

Insights from TMS 2019

TMS 2019 uncovered three key challenges facing the mineral processing sector this year, and into the future. Discover how these challenges could affect your operation and how you can overcome them.

Slurry aggitator which looks like a giant stick blender

The mixology of slurry

Changes in fluid technologies are making it possible for slurry mixing operations to achieve the same results without using baffles, reducing the risk and cost of downtime due to maintenance or faults.

drawing of multiple single cell batteries

Insights from Graphite+Anodes and Cathodes 2018

The ever-growing battery market has resulted in an increased demand for battery materials, providing the mineral processing industry a unique opportunity to increase production. Here are some key insights to consider before attempting to enter the battery market.

Optimising slurry transport

Slurry transport is a complex process involving multiple phenomena, with optimisation requiring deep understanding and clever solutions. By proactively addressing operational risks, you can optimise your processes for more effective slurry transport, resulting in reduced energy consumption and increased productivity.

Male researcher wearing safety glasses and white lab coat, seated at computer, with female researcher working in background, in the gas to liquids laboratory.

Complete value recovery

Many titano-magnetite ore producers risk economic instability by focusing operations on recovery of only one core mineral. Developing new processes for complete value recovery can increase the viability and longevity of an operation.

Large sheet of metal in a glass tank filled with blue coloured solution

Optimising electrowinning operations

Increased production is necessary to meet demands for base metals. Optimising electrowinning operations is one way to improve production and decrease risk to business.

Female CSIRO working against an industrial backdrop

You can work with CSIRO

There are many ways you can use CSIRO for your R&D. And it's not as hard as you may think. Read about the ways you can engage with us to invigorate and innovate your business.

Flourescent yellow fumes coming from metal furnace

Overcoming inefficiencies in flash smelting

Flash smelters could now be at risk of decreased throughput, thanks to the rising complexity of feedstock. Discover how computer modelling can help you reduce inefficiency.

Fluid flow in minerals processing

Are you missing the opportunity to improve fluid flow in minerals processing? Many organisations suffer low throughput on their fluid flow minerals processing. Find out how you can optimise.

Pile of e-waste i.e. compter motherbiards and electronics components

Maximising value from waste materials

Waste accompanies mineral processing and product production.Extracting value from waste products, through recycling, re-processing and re-purposing, enables companies to manage waste production and stockpiling. Our high temperature modelling can help you achieve sustainable approaches to waste management and value recovery.

Heat transfer modelling

As high-quality ores are depleted, more metal smelters are having to smelt less desirable materials. Find out how you can optimise your smelting operations when using complex ores with CSIRO’s Heat Transfer Modelling.

Key Insights from TMS 2018

By Mark Cooksey What’s the future of metals, minerals and materials? This year the annual TMS conference was bigger and […]

Worker measuring temperature of molten metal in smelting furnance

Smelting process development

Developing high-temperature smelting processes can be difficult and expensive. Our multi-scale framework approach can help you test and scope the effects of your feedstock to make better decisions and streamline your process development.

Are you prepared for rising feedstock complexity?

Smelting operations are facing some major changes in order to deal with the rising complexity of feedstock materials. Understanding minor element deportment of your feedstock can reduce risk and deliver lucrative opportunities.

Large circular mixing blade in a tank of brown liquid

Optimise slurry mixing tanks

Slurry mixing tanks are vital to any particulate processing, but there are high costs surrounding planned and unplanned maintenance. Read how we can help you optimise the performance of your slurry mixing tanks and potentially save you millions with Swirl Flow.

Optimising plant energy efficiency

Energy wastage can be an expensive cost in electrolysis and electrowinning processes. We can help you improve the maintenance process of electrical connections in your smelter to achieve optimum plant energy efficiency.

Solar panels refectling blue sky and clouds

Evaluating future metal demand

The World Bank report ‘The Growing Role of Minerals and Metals for a Low Carbon Future’ report contains a detailed analysis of how the trend towards sustainability will affect the future demand for metals, which is valuable for investment and planning decisions. We present two key considerations that need to be factored in to this analysis to ensure you’re making the right decision for your business.

Measuring plant process parameters

Obtaining accurate measures of your plant’s process parameters can be complex but essential for your plant’s performance. We dive deep into the benefits and difficulties associated with measuring process parameters & help you identify how best to employ measurement in your plant.

Sustainability in metal production

Understand how you can leverage Life Cycle Assessment in your operation to improve sustainability and reduce costs of metal production.

High energy demand: The impact on metal production

High energy demand and rising energy costs present a growing challenge for the metal production sector. Understand what you can do to mitigate this issue in your organisation.

Improving process optimisation with predictive modelling

Predictive testing models are valuable tools to help you achieve efficiency gains from optimal plant processing, reducing operating costs to maximise profits.