World-leading minerals processing research based at the university of Newcastle will directly benefit from the federal government's expansion of Australia's mining science technology capability for the critical minerals sector.
The government announced more than $100million in new programs last week to support early and mid-stage critical minerals projects.
It builds on $50 million recently committed to six key projects across Australia.
CEO Minerals director Laureate Professor Kevin Galvin said the new initiatives would complement the centre's existing research and collaboration.
"Our world-first research projects and technology are transforming minerals processing by reducing water, waste and energy during the separation process, and sustainably-recovering more highly concentrated amounts of mineral commodities, including rare earths," he said.
"As a centre we look forward to further engagement with government via The Critical Minerals Development Program, and to our ongoing contribution to enabling positive, transformative change in the minerals sector."
A delegation of European minerals sustainability experts visited Newcastle earlier this month to discuss new a technology, the 'Reflux® Flotation Cell, which is tipped to have significant implications for the extraction of critical minerals.
The device significantly improves mineral separation methods, many of which has remained unchanged for more than 50 years.
The technology reduces the environmental footprint of the minerals processing stage where critical minerals are separated from the surrounding ore, known as 'beneficiation'.
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