The Australian Research Council (ARC) Research Hub for Australian Copper-Uranium, based at the University of Adelaide, involves key industry, university and government partners in South Australia and nationally.
The hub is aiming to find new ways of removing other metals from copper deposits, which can reduce the quality of the copper, as well as ensuring the new methods are suitable for industry-level operations.
Hub director, Professor Stephen Grano, said much of the state’s copper deposits were actually very fine intergrowths of a range of different minerals.
“This introduces additional technical challenges for industry, which needs to achieve high-purity copper concentrates ready for market,” he said.
“Being able to find cost-effective ways of removing other metals from copper concentrates will provide a boost to the industry's economic prosperity, as well as its environmental sustainability.
“This work will help to ensure Australia is a world leader in copper production and associated technology.”
The university was awarded $2.52 million by the ARC to set up the facility, and partners are contributing a further $5.5 million in cash and in-kind support over the next five years.
SA Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis welcomed the hub, saying it would boost one of South Australia’s major commodities.
“One of our key economic priorities is to unlock the full potential of our mineral resources, which is why the state government is contributing $500,000 over four years towards the testing and commercialisation of safe and cost-effective ways of separating uranium from copper concentrates,” he said.
“As one of the world’s largest copper producers, maximising the value of copper ore is of enormous benefit to the state’s economy.”
The ARC Research Hub for Australian Copper-Uranium is led by the University of Adelaide’s Institute for Mineral and Energy Resources.
Partners include mining companies BHP Billiton and OZ Minerals, the Department of State Development, Defence Science and Technology Group, Environment Protection Authority South Australia, Flinders University, Monash University, University College London (UCL) Australia, and the University of Queensland.
