Precision and Low Impact Mining

The Challenge

The extractive nature of mining operations creates a variety of impacts on the environment before, during and after mining operations. MRIWA seeks to activate research and innovation for precision and low impact mining, which will lead to a reduction of tailings, waste, and pollution, contributing to social and environmental performance of Western Australia’s mining sector.

Context:

The impact of the mining industry on the environment has been a public concern. Inherent to mining and mineral processing operations is the generation of mine waste.

Over the years, the minerals and mining sector has started to develop a strategy that is more aligned to the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs). Considering the principles of the circular economy and the waste management hierarchy, this focus area aim to contribute to preventing or reducing waste and pollution from mining operations and its potential to cause environmental and social harm.

MRIWA encourages and supports science, technology, and innovation for sustainable, cost-effective mining, particularly from low-grade ores and challenging deposits. This includes efforts to reduce generation of waste and tailings, assess and address social and environmental impacts, and improve safety of operations.

Current Activities

• M10452 – Feasibility of effective metal recovery from tailings material via electrokinetic in-situ leaching.
• M0545 – Evaluation of in-situ barrier technology for risk mitigation and extraction optimisation for in-situ-recovery operations
• M0544 – Towards a Mechanistic Understanding of Electrokinetic In Situ Leaching
• M0529 – Lixiviant access creation in impermeable hard rock mass for the in-situ underground leaching of metals from ore
• M0519 – Broadening the opportunity for in-situ recovery of value from mineral deposits