A team of scientists and engineers from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) is significantly impacting the mining industry and humanitarian efforts through innovative sensing technologies. Based at the Lucas Heights Science and Technology Centre, south of Sydney, this group has developed advanced techniques that are gaining international attention. In July 2023, two CSIRO spin-outs, NextOre and MRead, merged to form MagnaTerra Technologies, a company valued at $150 million. This merger highlights CSIRO’s ability to translate complex scientific research into commercially viable solutions.
Dr. David Miljak, who has led the Sensing and Sorting program since 2020, emphasizes that the team’s success stems from a dedication to addressing real-world problems. “We maintain a clarity of purpose that drives innovation,” he stated. The Lucas Heights facility is home to 28 staff members divided into two groups: Magnetic Resonance and X-ray Technology. Their labs are equipped with advanced testing spaces, including facilities for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) testing and X-ray analysis.
The breakthrough that led to NextOre’s formation originated from an unexpected source. A colleague’s presentation from a conference at King’s College London showcased the use of radio waves to detect explosives, prompting the team to explore similar methods for mineral detection. In 2001, they successfully measured a mineral sample using this technology, which operates similarly to medical MRI machines.
Years of experimentation followed, resulting in a method that applies pulsed radio waves to ore, allowing for real-time analysis and sorting. This innovation has the potential to conserve water and energy while enhancing productivity in mining operations. However, transitioning lab success to field-ready technology posed significant challenges. Mechanical, software, electronics, and systems engineers collaborated to develop a product suitable for practical use.
Senior engineer Dragoslav (Drago) Milinkovic played a crucial role in refining the energy requirements for the technology. He explained, “You hit the ore with 50 to 100 kilowatts of pulsed power and listen for a tiny signal back.” This process involved converting 240-volt power into radio-frequency power, which is a considerable engineering challenge. Their efforts culminated in the launch of NextOre in 2017, which began deploying CSIRO’s sensing technology to mining operations around the globe.
Currently, the team is focusing on a new challenge: lithium. As global demand for lithium surges, CSIRO is developing sensing technologies to identify lithium-bearing rocks, specifically spodumene found in igneous pegmatites. Dr. Richard Yong, head of the Magnetic Resonance Development team, stated, “We’ve made progress with copper-sensing technologies, and now we’re developing techniques for lithium, a critical mineral.”
The team’s approach to MR sensing originally eliminated the need for large magnets used in traditional MRI machines. However, for lithium detection, they are reintroducing these magnets. Dr. Yong’s project involves adapting NextOre’s conveyor-belt MR sensing to create an open-geometry sensing system. This system features a large sensor suspended from a gantry, facilitating real-time ore analysis in haul trucks. A large fiberglass prototype currently resides in their pilot-scale facilities.
The latest project aims to integrate large electromagnets into mining environments, enhancing the ability to detect lithium-rich rocks before processing. This advancement could significantly improve sorting efficiency and reduce waste. “Improving sorting economics for even one or two lithium mines could bring substantial benefits for Australia in terms of jobs, royalties, and global competitiveness,” Dr. Yong noted.
With plans for field trials to begin in the next 12 to 18 months, the team is also leveraging their expertise in humanitarian contexts. “Saving lives in areas contaminated by landmines is a project that motivates us all,” Dr. Miljak remarked. They are developing compact MR-based devices for explosive detection in humanitarian demining, a technology now being commercialized by MRead.
The urgency of this project cannot be overstated. An estimated 110 million active landmines are present in 70 countries, with approximately 5,700 casualties reported in 2023. Clearing these mines is a slow and perilous process, with only 160,000 to 200,000 removed annually. Dr. Peggy Schönherr, Team Leader for Magnetic Resonance Instrumentation, explained, “We use techniques developed for ore sensing but apply them to detect explosives and narcotics.” The challenge involves miniaturizing the equipment into a briefcase-sized unit for field use.
The project gained momentum when The HALO Trust, a humanitarian demining organization, invited MRead to test the technology in Angola. Dr. Schönherr commented, “Designing something lightweight but still effective was a new challenge for us.” In just 18 months, the team created two working devices.
Dr. Schönherr traveled to Angola to support field trials, stating, “It was incredible to see deminers using our device and to understand how long it takes to clear even a small area.” The feedback from field trials has proven invaluable in refining their technology.
What began as a concept in a highly secure lab has evolved into a suite of technologies deployed across diverse sectors. The journey from copper to lithium and from mining to humanitarian demining exemplifies the impact of purpose-driven innovation. As global challenges become increasingly intricate, this team continues to explore new frontiers, utilizing radio waves to create solutions that matter. The work of CSIRO and its spin-outs is a powerful example of how local innovation can address pressing global issues.
