The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and Swinburne University of Technology have partnered to carry out research and development (R&D) into green steel and mineral processing.
The collaboration, known as the ‘sustainable mineral processing and green steel program’, will see both institutions investigate low-emission steel technologies and address current net-zero challenges the mineral resources industry is facing.
Such challenges include developing low-carbon routes for iron, steel, and critical metals, and improving recycling technologies.
“Developing new technologies and processes for producing low-emissions iron and steel, and increasing the supply of value-added critical minerals, are two focus areas within CSIRO’s ‘sustainable energy and resources’ challenge,” CSIRO mineral processing research director Andrew Jenkin said.
CSIRO’s sustainable energy and resources challenge aims to build competitiveness, sustainability, and security, nationally and regionally, of our energy and minerals systems and resources while lowering emissions to net-zero.
“We are looking forward to increasing our collaborative efforts with Swinburne in these two areas,” Jenkin said.
CSIRO process decarbonisation research group leader Keith Vining is set to manage CSIRO’s research effort on sustaining Australia’s iron ore and improving the processes for enhanced productivity and environmental performance.
“To support decarbonisation efforts within the minerals industry, we need new R&D partnerships that bring together complimentary capabilities,” Vining said.
“We have partnered well in this field with Swinburne for many years but have jointly decided that the time is right to amplify our intent and efforts.”
Research fellows and PhD candidates from both institutions will work alongside international researchers and industry under the program.
The program will also act as a platform for international conferences, industry courses, and engagement for students through scholarships, joint final year projects and work experience programs.
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