Centre Director Laureate Professor Kevin Galvin - University of Newcastle - receives AUD$1.5m AEA Innovation grant to boost world-leading mineral processing technology

Media Alert + Media coverage gained for Centre Director Laureate Professor Kevin Galvin, who has been awarded an Australian Economic Accelerator (AEA) Innovation grant of more than $1.5m to advance technology that is critical in the mining and mineral processing industry.

The two-year project, delivered in collaboration with industry partner FLSmidth, will see the design and manufacture of a full-scale prototype of a slow-moving rake – a mechanical device which forms part of the Reflux Classifier for use on mine sites.

The rake component is a crucial feature of the technology advance, to gently move the denser solids across the lower section of the separator. The rake moves slowly, minimising mixing to create a dense, fluid-like medium to greatly improve the separation.

With an aim to develop world-leading technology for separating fine minerals based on differences in particle densities, the project will improve the recovery and concentration of critical minerals, focusing in the first instance on tin and manganese.

The funding, under Round 1 of the AEA Innovate program, was announced by Minister for Education, The Hon Jason Clare MP.

AEA Innovate grants are designed to drive investment in key sectors, focusing on value-adding and capability development to leverage Australia’s natural and competitive strengths.

Funding awarded: $1,548,046

• Note: AEA funding, under Round 1 of the AEA Innovate program, was announced by the Minister for Education, The Hon Jason Clare MP on 4 July:https://​min​is​ters​.edu​ca​tion​.gov​.au/​c​l​a​r​e​/​a​l​b​a​n​e​s​e​-​g​o​v​e​r​n​m​e​n​t​-​b​a​c​k​s​-​b​o​l​d​-​i​d​e​a​s​-​s​o​l​v​e​-​r​e​a​l​-​w​o​r​l​d​-​c​h​a​l​l​enges / https://​www​.aea​.gov​.au/​r​e​s​o​u​r​c​e​s​/​a​e​a​-​i​n​n​o​v​a​t​e​-​r​o​u​n​d​-​1​-​p​r​o​jects /

IV240100168 / Single Stage Production of Ultrahigh Grade Minerals / Value-add in resources / Critical and Strategic Minerals Processing / AUD$1,548,046

University of Newcastle Media room link:

https://​www​.new​cas​tle​.edu​.au/​n​e​w​s​r​o​o​m​/​f​e​a​t​u​r​e​d​/​1​.​5​m​-​g​r​a​n​t​-​t​o​-​b​o​o​s​t​-​w​o​r​l​d​-​l​e​a​d​i​n​g​-​m​i​n​e​r​a​l​-​p​r​o​c​e​s​s​i​n​g​-​t​e​c​h​n​ology

Radio Station 2NURFM included the news in its news bulletin on 14 July