Mining innovation could unlock bauxite wealth

PREVIOUSLY untapped bauxite deposits in North Queensland could be identified within the next five years thanks to a collaborative project between researchers and industry to develop an innovative mining process.

Innovation Minister Kate Jones said University of Queensland researcher Dr Hong Peng had received a $180,000 research fellowship for his work with Australian mining company Rio Tinto.

“North Queensland has some of the earth’s largest known bauxite deposits, but under the current processing system it’s not economically viable to mine all of those areas,” she said.

“The new mining process being developed in this project is a win-win, not only having economic benefits but also reducing the environmental impact of the mining activity.”

The Palaszczuk government’s funding of $180,000 over three years to Dr Peng is backed by an additional investment of $90,000 from the University of Queensland and nearly $130,000 by Rio Tinto.

“Queensland, and particularly North Queensland, will benefit in many ways from this project,” Ms Jones said.

“Not only is North Queensland set to benefit because of the location of the bauxite deposits, but it also is home to facilities near Gladstone that will process the additional ore.”

Dr Peng said it would take a minimum of five years or more to roll out the technology.