WA mining innovations win federal funding

A project to automate the Roy Hill iron ore benefication plant, predictive analytics for equipment in copper and nickel mines, and sensors to detect rocks to big for crushing were among the local initiatives to receive $2.2 million of federal innovation funding today.

Around $4.1 million in total was allocated via the Commonwealth government’s mining equipment, technology and services Industry Growth Centre.

It was the third tranche of funding through the scheme.

Queensland-based Mineral Technologies secured $1 million for the automation work at Roy Hill.

That will automate the gravity separation process to optimise ore concentrations.

Balcatta business Process IQ will work with Curtin university for remote, real time control of grinding circuits using artificial intelligence to emulate technical experts.

For that project, Process was granted $620,000.

Amog, which operates from Kings Park, was selected for two projects with a combined grants value of $370,000.

That included an initiative to develop sensor equipment alerting miners when rocks are too big for crushing equipment.

Haulage trucks with oversized rocks can then be diverted elsewhere, preventing blockages.

The second project was a predictive so copper and nickel miners can have advanced knowledge of when they should close equipment for maintenance.

The final grant recipient was Maggoteaux, also based in West Perth.

The company was given $250,000 to work with Newcrest Mining commercialise a device to monitor chemistry inside grinding mills.

That means better yields from the grinding circuit.

Industry Minister Karen Andrews said funding was also sourced from mining companies that will benefit from the projects.

“Australia’s METS Growth Centre, METS Ignited, is strengthening Australia’s position as a global hub for mining innovation and boosting the competitive advantage of the industry, to grow our economy and create more jobs,” she said.

“As the coalition’s support for the mining industry continues, Labor is willing its demise, with recent comments from a senior Labor MP that it’d be a ‘good thing’ if the thermal coal industry collapsed.”

“By comparison, the Coalition has a plan for Australia’s economy, and we recognise this sector generates billions of dollars in revenue each year, employs about 500,000 people and exports to all corners of the globe.”