Orica and CSIRO research alliance 23 Sep 2014

Commercialisation of ground breaking technology to improve productivity and environmental performance in the mining sector will be the focus of a new five year research alliance signed today by global mining services company Orica and the CSIRO.

The agreement was signed by Orica Managing Director and CEO Ian Smith and CSIRO Chief Executive Officer Megan Clark on the sidelines of the IMARC mining and resources conference in Melbourne.

"Over the past five years Orica and the CSIRO have been engaged in a hunt for innovation across the mining value chain and to date our partnership has achieved very pleasing results," Mr Smith said.

"The second alliance agreement signed today will allow a number of these groundbreaking research projects to continue their progression towards commercialisation."

CSIRO Chief Executive Officer Megan Clark said: "Our relationship with Orica over the past five years has produced many outstanding innovations, and the new agreement gives us even more opportunity for our science to make a difference to industry and the community."

Dr Clark and Mr Smith said these innovations were potent examples of the significant effort being invested to ensure that Orica leads the way to the next technical innovation point to increase mine productivity.

Research milestones achieved during the alliance include:

  • Development of a new catalyst system targeting greenhouse gas abatement in high pressure nitric acid plants.  If successful, the potential exists to reduce emissions of nitrous oxide by up to 70% compared to operation without abatement.  Nitrous oxide is approximately 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide as a greenhouse gas.  Commercial trials are planned to commence later this year.
  • Awarding of a patent on conductive polymers as an alternative technology to replace wire in detonating systems. These polymers have the potential to improve reliability and durability significantly compared to current products.
  • Filing of a patent application this year for a new method of ore waste boundary mapping that minimises ore dilution.  This technology is now in the process of being commercialised.
Media Contact

Ben Wilson
General Manager Corporate Communications (Acting)
Mobile +61 407 966 083
ben.wilson@orica.com



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