Helping the mining industry transform into a lean, green and clean industry of the future.
Mining is the largest sector of the Australian economy, representing 10% of GDP turnover. However, the industry is in a state of rapid transition as coal becomes less favourable, other materials increase in production and the industry looks to modernise.
Previous research efforts in mining (e.g. ACFR/Rio Tinto) have largely focused on automation and reducing labour costs. A whole raft of forward-looking companies with new research questions are emerging as the mining industry transitions towards sustainable practices.
NSSN Grand Challenge: Mining
A wide range of sensing technologies have been developed and are available with varying levels of maturity. These include vision, LiDAR and hyperspectral sensors, people counting, structural monitoring, environmental sensors, wearable sensors, energy and water usage sensors and remote sensing of various types. There are opportunities to develop new sensors and supporting technologies.
Some examples are long-life embedded sensors in infrastructure, energy harvesting, lower-cost sensing of various types, efficient sensor placement, data fusion and shifting data processing to the network edge (ie: in the sensing device).
The NSSN Grand Challenges, one of which explores mining, aim to tackle Australia’s most intractable problems by bringing together the smart sensing expertise of research powerhouses across NSW and the ACT with industry and government
The NSSN Mining Grand Challenge responds to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Well over 200 researchers across the NSSN member universities have engaged in mining sector technology R&D, including sensing, mechanical engineering, process chemistry and materials science. This number grows significantly when we include enabling aspects such as artificial intelligence, polymer and materials science, electrical engineering and advanced photonics.
Sensing, Mining and Water
Advanced sensing and data analytics can help improve our understanding of the relationship between mining and water. Water is critical for life; our towns and cities, farms and industrial processes require reliable sources of water. Mining is critical in providing the materials to build and power our world. While considering traditional areas of technology development such as safety, productivity, connectivity and automation, the NSSN is exploring key areas where water and mining intersect.
Baseline Measurement
Gravity, quantum, LiDAR, hyperspectral imaging, weather data, advanced exploration, geological surveys, satellites, process optimisation.
Desalination
Ground cover, surface water flow, ground water basin profile, dam levels, extraction data, water quality, molecular sensing.
Dewatering
Process sensing, optimisation algorithms, sensing pump and cyclone wear, microscopy, quantum imaging.
Operational water use
Level sensors, flow meters, artificial intelligence and machine learning, asset management.
Tailings
Underground robotics, strata management, understanding fissures and cracks, understanding uncertainty of system parameters, human and community factors.
End use and reuse
Analysis of aeriel and satellite imagery, advanced chemistry, data analytics, efficiency, economy and circularity.
NSSN Sensing, Mining and Water Workshop
Hosted by the NSSN on 29 November 2021, the Sensing, Mining and Water Workshop brought together researchers, government and industry, to better understand the way in which our mines and water interact.
The Workshop was run on principles of co-design, and was opened with a lead message from the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, followed by keynote presentations from the International Copper Association Australia and others. The audience was split into online breakout rooms, each with a mix of participants from industry, academia and supporting agencies.
The findings arising from the workshop were captured in the Workshop Outcomes Report. Suitable project ideas can apply for funding support to the NSSN Grand Challenge Fund.
With the support of the NSW Government, the NSSN is your one-stop shop for multi-disciplinary expertise and technology.
To find out more about the NSSN Mining Grand Challenge, please contact Dr Don McCallum, NSSN Industrial Futures Theme Leader, on 0433 496 778 or don.mccallum@nssn.org.au.