$3.2m ARC grant for new iron ore research hub

The Australian Research Council (ARC) has awarded a $3.2 million grant to the University of Newcastle to establish a new research hub. To be developed in collaboration with industry, the hub will be dedicated to futureproofing Australia’s iron ore production and exports.

Chief investigators Professor Kevin Galvin, Emeritus Professor Alan Roberts and Professor Bob Loo will form the ARC Research Hub for Advanced Technologies for Australian Iron Ore, harnessing the university’s three major specialist areas in the minerals sector: beneficiation, bulk solids handling and technical marketing research.

A further $3 million in industry and collaborative support has been pledged for the hub, bringing the total funding to $6.2 million over five years.

The iron ore research hub will engage with the mining organisation, companies and equipment manufacturers in a bid to uncover knowledge to benefit the entire industry. In collaboration with organisations such as Tunra Bulk Solids and the university’s centre for Ironmaking Materials Research, the hub will aim to establish new Australian iron ore separation and handling techniques.

“New fundamental knowledge, needed to inform end users and producers, will be used in conjunction with novel advances in fine particle beneficiation and materials handling to support the long-term growth in Australian iron ore production,” said Professor Galvin.