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Last updated: 10 February 2015
Together with our industry and research partners, the CSIRO Chile Research Foundation is promoting the applied research partnership between Chile and Australia and creating innovative solutions for the current and future challenges of the minerals industry in the following areas.

GeoResources and Mine Planning

We aim to optimise mine performance through the collection and analysis of data from mineral systems for geometallurgical modelling. We are also focused on holistic mine planning, including mining reserves, production capacity, operating cost, capital requirements and project value, in order to identify the best strategies to face geological resource depletion over time.

Intelligent Mining Systems

We  provide technical tools for identifying risks associated with the operation of mining equipment, helping improve safety and optimise productivity. We can identify when and where subsurface deformation will develop. Advanced notice of potentially unstable ground can aid in avoiding disruption of operations, ultimately saving lives, equipment and ores.

Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Systems

Advanced mineralogical and metallurgical characterisation provides valuable information for new methods to improve metal extraction and production. One of the major constraints for the sustainable growth of the mining industry is decreasing ore grades and a dependence on increasingly complex ores, which often reduce the effectiveness of processing.

Water, Energy and Environmental Impact

Water scarcity and  related energy costs are a huge issue for the industry. This program focuses on the use of sea water as an alternative to conventional fresh water for mineral processing and heap leaching. It also investigates energy recovery from mineral pipelines, developing decision support tools for improving energy efficiency in mining operations.