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Mining highlight

Global impact

Longwall automation

Since CSIRO launched its LASC longwall automation system commercially about eight years ago, four mines in the US and about 30 in China have taken it up, in addition to at least 20 of Australia's 30 underground coal mines

Underground automation

The three E's of mining

Extraction

Remote and precise extraction

Environment

Emissions abatement and environmental sustainability

Enabling

Enabling digital and physical mining system

Minimising environmental impacts

Fugitive emissions abatement

Emissions reductions remains a cornerstone concern in all mining operation. Through decades of expertise in coal mining, we have developed technologies and techniques to mitigate fugitive emissions from mining activity.

Social and environmental performance

The environmental impacts of mining are the subject of increased community scrutiny. In response we have developed science and technologies to minimise environmental impacts prior to, during and post-mining, to support a sustainable future for the industry and society.

Responsible resource development

We are providing the tools and knowledge for Australia to be a global leader in the stewardship of mineral resources.

Minesite environmental management

We are using our multidisciplinary expertise in environmental monitoring and management to minimise impacts from mining; developing new technologies and approaches for mine remediation and rehabilitation.

Mine wastewater treatment

We are using our expertise to develop technologies to help the mining industry effectively manage water use and minimise environmental impacts.

Social insights

We developed and commercialised a new science-driven approach to tackle declining trust in corporations, enabling companies to better manage their social licence to operate.

Mining news

Zero entry digital mining

Could tomorrow’s mines be completely automated, with no humans underground? Will we soon be able to track minerals throughout the value chain, from extraction point to consumption and even to recycling? CSIRO’s Digital Mine experts weigh in on the future of mining. FRAN MOLLOY reports

Quantum computing and mining

It is widely agreed that whoever develops the quantum computer will change the world but, as Australia eyes a place in the coming Quantum 2.0, the country wields a tool that has already changed mining worldwide. TIMOTHY CONNELL writes

Taking mining technology into orbit

Collaboration is the essential ingredient as CSIRO, Boeing and NASA adapt scanning and mapping tech for operations on the International Space Station. JANE NICHOLLS reports

Navigating towards mining automation

In less than five years, through times of pandemic and inflation, CSIRO spin-out company Emesent has grown from just two co-founders to an organisation employing more than 150 people, mainly located in Brisbane, but Emesent also now has a team in the US and representatives in the UK and Europe. TIM THWAITES writes

Certifying future minerals trade

Soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, a team from Everledger—the commercial company that was first to track the world’s diamonds—got together. Over the space of a weekend, they updated their platform to allow their clients to choose to exclude diamonds within their network originating from or passing through Russia. TIM THWAITES reports

Tailings, an emerging market opportunity

Often viewed as a problematic waste management issue in mining, a different take on tailings may open up new market opportunities. IAIN COPP reports

Planning mine closures for a positive future

More than 70 partners from industry and research are collaborating to find solutions to make Australian mine closures beneficial for communities and the environment via the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC TiME). JANE NICHOLLS reports

Robots to the rescue

There’s been a leak of radioactive gas inside a nuclear power plant, a rockfall that has trapped cavers exploring a new complex, a flood which has cut off workers in a subway system – who are you going to send? TIM THWAITES writes