New centre to upskill future miners

The Australian Research Council (ARC) training centre for Integrated Operations for Complex Resources (IOCR) brings together end-users, translation partners and researchers.

According to a University of Adelaide statement, the $11.75 million centre will aim to transform end-user mining operations by optimising productivity and product quality and by delivering automated and integrated mining.

It will also translate new technological research outcomes to industry-ready applications, increase certainty on product quality, and maximise throughput and recovery of minerals in mining operations.

The project is a collaboration between the University of Adelaide, the University of South Australia and Curtin University, along with partners from the mining industry, mining equipment and technical services companies and government.

University of Adelaide’s Professor of Mining Engineering at the School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering Peter Dowd will be the director of the centre which took four years to build.

“The ARC Training Centre for Integrated Operations for Complex Resources will deliver the vital enabling tools for automated, integrated and optimised mining,” Dowd said.

“As higher grade and more accessible mineral deposits become depleted, mineral resources will be extracted from deeper, lower grade, and more complex ore bodies.

“Maximising the profitability of complex ore bodies requires smarter, more selective practices, tailored to suit each mining operation.

“The centre will produce future leaders in advanced sensors and data analytics for complex resources.”

South Australian Energy Minister Dan van Holst Pellekaan celebrated the launch.

“Mining, energy and resources are critical to the economic and technological future of South Australia and the nation,” van Holst Pellekaan said.

“The Marshall Government understands the mining sector needs the best and brightest minds to ensure its future in an increasingly competitive environment.”