Theme 2 - Accelerating Characterisation

Understanding the deportment of critical minerals within ores and mine wastes, and along the processing stream, is essential for improving the energy efficiency and economy of ore extraction and processing. Sophisticated characterisation tools will also be needed to fingerprint end-product materials to allow traceability of responsibly sourced critical minerals.

The objectives of this theme are to:
  • Build an unparalleled understanding of the micro-chemistry and physico-chemical controls on ore mineralogy
  • Establish the geological controls on the distribution of target elements and 'impurities' in ores, from the grain scale to deposit scale, to improve resource definition and processing flowsheets at an early stage
  • Develop stochastic methods applied to geological engineering and mine planning/optimization to reduce uncertainty and enhance confidence in decision making ​
  • Develop novel chemical isotopic fingerprinting tools for effective traceability of end products​
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Exploring heavy rare earth element enrichment in carbonatites: Insights from the world class Mt Weld Deposit, Western Australia

  • Adelaide University , Theme 2 - Accelerating Characterisation
  • RP 2: Alkaline magmas and Carbonatites

Tracking indium and associated critical metals in mine wastes: Unravelling their deportment, mobility, and recovery potential

  • Theme 2 - Accelerating Characterisation , University of Queensland
  • RP 5: Extraction/Traceability

The Role of Carbonate Melts in the Genesis of Critical Metal Deposits

  • Theme 2 - Accelerating Characterisation , University of Western Australia
  • RP 2: Alkaline magmas and Carbonatites

Experimental Geochemistry of Critical Metals

  • Australian National University , Theme 2 - Accelerating Characterisation
  • RP 5: Extraction/Traceability

Understanding the Formation of REE and HFSE Deposits in Weathered Carbonatites and Their Geochemical Signatures

  • Australian National University , Theme 2 - Accelerating Characterisation
  • RP 2: Alkaline magmas and Carbonatites , RP 3: Regolith and Cover: Surface Processes , RP 5: Extraction/Traceability

Experimental investigations of the magmatic-hydrothermal transition in carbonatites and the factors controlling REE and CM enrichment​

  • Australian National University , Theme 2 - Accelerating Characterisation
  • RP 2: Alkaline magmas and Carbonatites , RP 4: Repurposing , RP 5: Extraction/Traceability

Hyperspectral-geochemical mineralogy of greenstone belts and associated alteration footprints of mineral deposits

  • Theme 2 - Accelerating Characterisation , University of Western Australia
  • RP 1: Pegmatites , RP 2: Alkaline magmas and Carbonatites , RP 3: Regolith and Cover: Surface Processes , RP 6: Data-driven Knowledge

Recovery of Critical and Valuable Metals from IOCG Mine Waste

  • Theme 2 - Accelerating Characterisation , University of Queensland
  • RP 4: Repurposing , RP 5: Extraction/Traceability , RP 6: Data-driven Knowledge

Building geospatial models to inform critical mineral extraction from mine waste – towards a new industry standard

  • Theme 2 - Accelerating Characterisation , University of Queensland
  • RP 4: Repurposing , RP 5: Extraction/Traceability , RP 6: Data-driven Knowledge

The Petrogenesis of the Gonneville Ni-Co-PGE deposit, Western Australia​

  • Theme 1 - Accelerating Discovery , Theme 2 - Accelerating Characterisation , University of Western Australia
  • RP 2: Alkaline magmas and Carbonatites , RP 3: Regolith and Cover: Surface Processes , RP 6: Data-driven Knowledge