Maia x-ray microprobe elemental imaging system

Maia was developed to produce high-definition, quantitative elemental images with microscopic or nanoscopic detail in real-time.

Salty waste a potentially sweet deal

Using desalination plants’ hyper-saline discharge in solar salt fields could increase production and halve the space required by conventional salt fields, research that uses technoeconomics is finding.

High amp testing: Energy savings

Jodie Parry investigates an unlikely source of energy loss in the metal production industry - the humble electrical connection.

Mr Damien Thomas: Group Director, Business Development, Manufacturing, Materials & Minerals

Mr Damien Thomas is the Group Director, Business Development for CSIRO Manufacturing, Materials and Minerals (MMM).

Analyser puts water problems to bed

Researchers have enhanced moisture analyser technology so that it is better suited to the increased conveyor-bed depths used by today’s iron ore and coal producers.

Technology for rapid mineralogical analysis

An automated mineralogical analysis technology that helps resource companies improve metal recoveries and reduce waste streams also has applications in forensics, environmental geology, coal and petroleum mineralogy and archaeological research.

Dr Nick Cutmore: Theme Leader, Intelligent mining and online analysis

Dr Nick Cutmore has around 25 years experience working with online analysis of materials.

On-the-spot analysis offers fast results

Researchers are using a technique known as laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) to provide fast analysis of ore bodies.

Mark Cooksey: designing and optimising mineral processes

Mark Cooksey is working on optimising existing production process and developing new processes.

Dr John Farrow: Stream leader, Advanced processing technologies strategic projects

Over his 25 year career in hydrometallurgy Dr John Farrow has worked on a broad range of collaborative research projects.

Dr James Tickner: expert in applied nuclear physics

Dr James Tickner leads the Nucleonics team that develops novel scientific approaches to solve fundamental problems in industry using nuclear techniques.

Environmental and social impacts

Our researchers are investigating the environmental and social impacts of the minerals industry and its future direction

Arsenic bubbles ease copper troubles

CSIRO’s flotation process enables easier separation of arsenic from copper concentrates, bringing economic and environmental benefits.

Novel scanner to improve air cargo security

The CSIRO Air Cargo Scanner provides rapid, non-intrusive and material-specific imaging for the detection of illicit and dangerous goods in consolidated air cargo.

Dr Dave Robinson: Theme Leader, Advanced processing technologies

Dr Dave Robinson leads research into precious and base metals hydrometallurgy. This research is helping to shape Australia’s mineral processing industry.

Past issues

The first issue of resourceful was published in July, 2012.

Dr Sri Lathabai: leading research on nanostructured and ultrafine grained metallic materials

Dr Sri Lathabai is a materials engineer working on enhancing the performance of materials produced by a number of novel processes including electron beam-assisted additive manufacturing processes, severe plastic deformation processes and novel joining technologies.

Dr Ling Zhang: modelling properties of high-temperature melts

Dr Ling Zhang's research specialises in physical chemistry of high temperature systems.

Our contributors

We source independent, experienced writers from across Australia.

Collaboration: 20 years and counting

This year the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies celebrates its 20th anniversary, and Maryrose Cuskelly thinks there’s plenty more to come

Industry engagement: United nation

Over its 20-year lifespan the Parker Centre delivered world class hydrometallurgy research to the Australian minerals industry, but it seems all good things have to come to an end. Adam Courtenay reports

New research: Organic meets inorganic

Mineral explorers have had great success in using ancient coral reefs to find zinc deposits in the Kimberley, but links between organic matter and ore deposits remain a mystery. A WA research cluster is examining this relationship. Tim Treadgold reports

New research: Paradigm shift

Research and industry partners have come together to develop practical tools to predict the performance of certain ore bodies throughout the processing stage of the mine cycle. David Simpson reports

International: The Chilean connection

The CSIRO Chile Centre of Excellence is the first offshore venture for CSIRO. Kathy Uribe investigates how Australia’s national science agency ended up in South America

Research perspective: Strength in numbers

Australia’s future depends on research and industry working together, writes Dr Calum Drummond, group executive of manufacturing, materials and minerals research at CSIRO