ScienceNetwork WA

WA’s ChemCentre has begun a research initiative to further understand and curb Acid Mine Drainage (AMD), one of the leading environmental concerns produced by mining and development sites.

ESTABLISHING an industry founded on algae-based biodiesel could potentially overshadow Western Australia’s iron ore industry and could be up and running in as little as five years, according to a local expert.

MURDOCH University scientists have created a technique using microfluidics which could revolutionise how resource companies recover high-value precious metals, making the process faster and cheaper.

AN ongoing Fly-In Fly-Out (FIFO) study undertaken by Murdoch University has found employee commitment is not linked to turnover within the industry.

Telstra WA Business Woman 2012 of the Year Julie Shuttleworth has tackled safety issues around underground mining tyre changing by helping bring a new invention to the market – the 'low profile tyre handler'.

A GENDER specific mental health program focused on getting blokes to “open-up” is making its way to Western Australia.

WESTERN Australia’s concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) potential has been assessed in a world first study that has found previous assumptions overestimate realistic site suitability for the technology.

POWERFUL mine software packages that control mine operations and integrate with business software, along with robots and mine site automation are all set to change the face of mining in Western Australia—and the world.

WITH its free-floating fibrous roots and rapid growth rate, the water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is one of the most invasive aqueous weeds in Australia and, for many countries around the world, a serious environmental and economic issue.

A TEAM of Perth researchers is causing a major rethink on geological history after a study showed major iron formations in Australia, about 1.8 billion to 1.9 billion years old, were synchronous with those found in North America.

COLLISION avoidance technology and remote control programming have led to an award-winning mining system being developed in WA.

GIVEN Chinese supply restrictions and increasing future demand, WA is well positioned on Rare Earth Oxides (REOs).

THE National Information and Communications Technology Australia (NICTA) is applying machine learning to locate ‘hot rocks’ suitable for geothermal energy production.

THE WA ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection) map was recently released by the Centre of Excellence for 3D Mineral Mapping (C3DMM) and marks a milestone in mineral exploration putting WA at the forefront of geosciences.

AN ingenious electronic sensor which monitors the condition of rollers in conveyor belts used by the mining industry has won the overall 2011 WA Innovator of the Year award.

REVOLUTIONARY new ground-based positioning technology is being put through its paces at Newmont’s Boddington Gold Mine in WA.

AN ECU PhD student is researching Fly-in, Fly-out (FIFO) employed families with adolescent children and the impact a temporarily absent parent has on parent–child communication.

EDITH Cowan University natural sciences lecturer has explored the potential of WA’s pit mines to become rehabilitated lakes for conservation, recreation, and farming.

WA RESEARCHERS are studying the state’s unique biodiversity hotspots in search of a specific type of metal-loving plant that could have a range of applications for the mining industry.

THE Gold Technology Group (GTG) is making metallurgists' jobs easier with new ways to maximise ore extraction.