BREAKING NEWS Sustainable Solution to The Mining Industry's ‘Red Mud’ Waste Enters Final Stage of Testing Technology that could rehabilitate mine waste back to useful soil is entering full-scale trials at two Queensland refineries. Researchers at The University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute recently developed the bio-engineering technology in partnership with Rio Tinto and Queensland Alumina Limited. Professor Longbin Huang said the process will transform the bauxite residue, known as ‘red mud’, into a soil-like material capable of hosting plant life. “The team has secured more than $3 million in funding from Rio Tinto and QAL that will allow us to trial the technology at an operational scale at two red mud sites. This project demonstrates how transformative industry-academia partnerships can,” Professor Huang said. There are more than four billion tonnes of red mud stored in dams around the world. Australia is the second largest producer of the mineral waste by-product of alumina refining. “The salinity and alkalinity associated with the minerals in red mud means rehabilitation can be challenging,” Professor Huang said. The process eco-engineers the mineral and organic constituents into material that is more hospitable to plant life. Trent Scherer, who is the Environment and Tailings Manager at Queensland Alumina Limited, is excited to see the project moving to a full-scale trial. “After years of watching various trials unfold within our daily work environment, to now be able to see the tangible outcomes of UQ’s work has been encouraging. QAL is committed to minimising our environmental footprint through our $440 million 5-Year Environmental Strategy, and the funding and resources provided to this project are further steps in that journey,” said Scherer.
RMIT University is a world leader in the development of advanced manufacturing technologies for aerospace and other industries. Image courtesy of RMIT University.
Boeing and RMIT Partner to Build Space Manufacturing Capability Australia’s space research will take a giant leap forward at RMIT University’s world-leading advanced manufacturing hub. A recent partnership between RMIT and Boeing will focus on product design strategy, materials research and process innovation. The collaboration will harness global networks and expertise to develop local solutions for the manufacturing of space equipment. RMIT’s Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, Professor Calum Drummond AO, said the research and development will be undertaken at RMIT’s Space Industry Hub. “Our ultimate goal is to maximise opportunities for commercialisation of the products that we co-develop with Boeing,” Professor Drummond said. The hub is a launchpad that is dedicated to industrial solutions for Australia’s growing space sector. “This is a pioneering project which provides a tangible pathway for Australian businesses to upskill, innovate and export globally as manufacturers of products for space applications.” “Leveraging Boeing and RMIT’s joint expertise and facilities, we believe we can unlock boundless future opportunities for Australian industry,” Professor Drummond said. Paul Watson is the Director of Aerospace Engineering and Production at Boeing Defence Australia. He said Australia’s space sector requires the production of complex, low volume, and bespoke components that are not suited to conventional manufacturing techniques.
Revegetation underway at a red mud site near Gladstone. Image courtesy of the University of Queensland.
42 | DECEMBER 2021
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“This partnership will develop new knowledge in advanced manufacturing technologies, which will not only stimulate the development of a local fabrication capability, but will also expose Australian industry to space export markets as part of Boeing’s global supply chain,” he said.
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