Digging deep to reach Minerals Down Under

Reference: 07/80

The importance of research to underpin Australia’s challenge to remain competitive in the global minerals market, has been recognised by new funding to establish a new National Research Flagship, Minerals Down Under.

• 8 May 2007

CSIRO Chief Executive, Dr Geoff Garrett said: “The Minerals Down Under Flagship, in collaboration with partners such as Geoscience Australia, will enable the Australian minerals industry to realise up to $A1 trillion worth of new resources.”

Dr Garrett said many of the deposits that underpin Australia’s success in the mineral industry are now rapidly depleting or experiencing declining grades and new discoveries are in decline.

“Research investment now will help provide sufficient lead time to develop new technologies to reach deposits yet to be accessed,” Dr Garrett said. “The Flagship will aim to more than double the size of the existing related services and technology sector.”

The Flagship will receive $A34.6 million from the Australian Government over four years, and will enable CSIRO to work with Geoscience Australia and industry to achieve its goals.

Research will focus on discovery through the development of advanced exploration systems, drilling and development of future mining systems, processing technologies for resources, and development of solutions for sustainable processing.

CSIRO’s National Research Flagships were launched in 2003 to address major national challenges in areas such as energy, water and health and also opportunities for industry development and job creation.

Last year’s independent review of the Flagships Program, chaired by former Government Chief Scientist, Dr Robin Batterham, highlighted the fact that the Flagships are delivering powerful scientific solutions to national problems, successfully driving large-scale activity addressing Australia’s National Research Priorities in a collaborative, cooperative, and intensively managed manner.

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