Working to improve the safety of miners and productivity of mines.

Mining systems research

CSIRO is studying mining systems to deliver savings, expand minable reserves, and improve mine safety. We provide advanced mining science and planning methods to deliver low-cost, high-tonnage and high-recovery mining systems.

• 8 February 2006 | Updated 14 October 2011

CSIRO's pioneering research into mine design, equipment and procedures is improving safety, reducing costs and improving efficiency. We aim to ensure that the mining industry is both sustainable, and environmentally responsible.

Our key research areas are:

• ROES™ which is a new low-cost, high-recovery metal mining system
• large open-pit slope design
• gas, dust and spontaneous combustion control 
• assessing the introduction of longwall top coal caving into Australian mines
• rapid roadway development in coal mines
• integrated mining condition simulation and prediction for:
  • deep mine planning
  • new mine system development
  • large open pit mine design
  • gas, groundwater, aquifer and subsidence management
• monitoring for ground and equipment control and new mining system development
• SMART*CUT: diamond composite cutting elements.

Read more about our work in Mining & Minerals.