Completed Projects

In copper electrowinning (CuEW), the most common engineering control to limit acid mist generation is a chemical, FC-1100. 3M has recently announced that it plans to discontinue FC-1100 production. This creates a significant need for CuEW tankhouses to find a suitable and sustainable replacement.

There is a drive to speed up the turn-around time for sample analysis. The high number of samples submitted for analysis from exploration or everyday operations result in sample processing backlogs and delays in reporting. These delays can have a crucial impact on decision making whether it is operational decisions or exploration and project decisions.

Moisture control is critical for safe and economic iron ore production and export. Moisture must be high enough to suppress dust, yet below the level where material handling difficulties occur and below the transportable moisture limit (TML) for safe shipping. There are substantial economic benefits to minimising iron ore moisture, e.g. a 1% reduction in…

Innovation in base metals electrowinning can lead to increased throughput in tankhouses, reduced operating costs and better product quality. This project is aimed at helping the industry to achieve these outcomes. The work program focuses on improving the performance of anodes of both current and new compositions, and the quality of cathodes produced.

The aim of this project is to develop software that optimises designs for the operational constraints of connectivity, minimum bench width and appropriate angles between pushbacks.