Media Release by AMGC
EQ Resources Limited, Australia’s only primary tungsten producer, has been awarded $600,000 in co-investment from the Federal Government’s Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre (AMGC) via the $30million Commercialisation Fund.
Combined investment from EQ Resources, its partners and AMGC, totalling $1.97million, will assist in commercialising industrial-scale operations for advanced minerals processing flowsheet developed for the Mt Carbine Expansion Project (pictured).
The project will transform low-grade ore and historic mine waste into economic and sustainable sources of critical minerals through X-ray sorting technology (XRT). Using artificial intelligence, process feed material will be evaluated by characterising tungsten containing rock from barren material, for immediate decision on further processing material to the XRT sorting plant, or for waste disposal. The combined technology application will maximise separation efficiency and thus enable cost efficient mine waste reprocessing enabling sustainable critical minerals production.
Technologies to be incorporated include the advanced XRT ore sorting technology from TOMRA Sorting Pty Ltd, as well as hyperspectral imaging sensors developed by Plotlogic Pty Ltd. The implementation will further be supported by CRONIMET Australia Pty Ltd and The University of Queensland – Sustainable Minerals Institute.
EQR’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Kevin MacNeill, commented, “We are delighted to have the support of AMGC for this blending of advanced technologies to drive the sustainable future for Mt Carbine. EQR is committed to seeking leading edge solutions to enhance smart processing and reduce energy and water use in our mine of the future. The journey does not end here as we will continue to seek technology solutions to enhance our sustainable mining and treatment practices to ensure Mt Carbine optimises its pathway towards building a circular mining venture.”
AMGC’s Managing Director, Dr Jens Goennemann, commented, “EQ Resources’ project brings together industry and research leaders to commercialise a world-leading technology which will convert what was once a mining waste product into new revenue streams. The project proves that Australia’s manufacturing industry is stepping forward to develop globally relevant solutions which will improve operations and add value in the process.”
AMGC is an industry-led, not-for-profit organisation established through the Australian Government’s Industry Growth Centres Initiative. AMGC’s vision is to transform Australian manufacturing to become an internationally competitive, dynamic, and thriving industry with advanced capabilities and skills at its core.
For further information regarding the project and its impact, visit – https://www.amgc.org.au/project/commercialisation-and-operate-large-scale-xrt-sorting-operations-for-tungsten-recovery/
