The SEE Grid Conference being held in Canberra in December will look at how large amounts of data can be mined.

Savings for miners in the pipeline

Reference: 06/98

CSIRO has announced that it will work with Queensland specialist pipe manufacturer, AC Whalan, to develop a new fibreglass pressure piping system to be used in the mining industry.

• 16 May 2006

The system will initially be used for two mining applications – coal seam gas drainage and the supply of water from the surface to underground equipment.

Composite piping is lighter and more corrosion-resistant than the products currently used and would give mining companies cost and productivity savings.

There are also occupational health and safety benefits for miners.

Queensland Deputy Premier Ms Anna Bligh recently announced a $335,000 grant towards the project through the CSIRO at the Queensland Centre for Advanced Technologies. The funding is provided under the Queensland Government’s Research-Industry Partnerships Program.

Dr Phil Teakle will be the project leader for CSIRO.

“A successful completion of the project will bring a large financial reward,” Dr Teakle says.

“For a total cash and in-kind investment of $802,000 over two years, the economic benefit is estimated at approximately $1 million a year in the first few years after market entry growing to $16 million a year after 15 years.

“Spin-off benefits to Queensland would be even greater. These benefits can be achieved through Australian sales and export of the products along with productivity benefits, occupational health and safety benefits, and expanded production.

“The project, which is part of CSIRO’s new collaborative research initiative, Minerals Down Under, will also have access to the Hypersonics Testing Facility, a Smart State Research Facility.”

Dr Teakle’s most recent project was the development of a carbon fibre composite nose cone for the University of Queensland’s HyShot rocket.

This new project has the potential to lead to other product developments, in an industry recognised to be evolving rapidly towards new alternative applications with superior strength and lighter weight than traditional materials.

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