ANSTO has proven world-leading expertise in the processing of the critical and strategic minerals resources that are required for Australia’s energy transition and sustainable development.
Unlocking the value in critical minerals resources
As the world accelerates its move to renewable energy and electrified transport, the global demand for critical metals is surging.
For over 50 years, ANSTO has delivered innovative technologies and expertise to the critical and strategic minerals industry.
Our team of engineers, metallurgists, mineralogists, chemists and scientists, have a proven track record in Australia and internationally of providing practical solutions that deliver measurable financial and environmental benefits for our clients.
What are critical minerals?
Critical minerals are a diverse range of metallic and non-metallic elements that are essential to renewable energy systems, modern computing, emerging technologies, and sustainable economic development. However, their supply chains are vulnerable due to limited pricing transparency and the geographic concentration of mining and/or processing.
Australia’s critical mineral opportunity
We need critical and strategic minerals for the vital high-tech technologies modern economies rely on. Australia has proven resources of many of these critical and strategic minerals including:
- cobalt
- nickel
- lithium
- manganese
- rare earth elements
- tungsten
- uranium
- vanadium
Australia is well positioned to meet global demand and secure supply chains for many of these minerals.
How could ANSTO help?
Accelerate project success and reduce risk
ANSTO offers a comprehensive range of process development services, including process flowsheet development, pilot and demonstration plant construction and operation, consultancy services and technical reviews.
We lead the world in expertise for the processing of critical and strategic metals such as uranium, rare earths, scandium, lithium, zirconium, niobium and hafnium.
Our specialist services includes:
Process development support
Pilot and demonstration plant design
Construction and operation
Consultancy services and technical review
How we add value
Capabilities
- Process development - laboratory to continuous piloting
- 24/7 continuous pilot plant operation
- Desktop assessment - new and existing processes
- Operational support - and on-site improvement programs
Expertise
- Processing of critical and strategic minerals including:
- uranium, rare earths, lithium, vanadium, zirconium/hafnium/niobium, nickel/cobalt, graphite
- Controlling and managing radioactivity in pyro- and hydrometallurgical circuits
- Design and development of novel flowsheets for challenging ores and multi-commodity resources with complex mineralogy
- Transferal of process development outcomes to operations
Facilities
Purpose build facilities for:
- Mineralogy – QEMSCAN / XRD / TEM
- XRF, ICP, LECO, ISE, TGA-DSC, DNA and NAA
- α, β and γ spectrometry
- Autoclave, column and cyanide leaching
- IX, RIP and multi-stage SX equipment
- Nanofiltration / membrane equipment – lab and pilot scale
- Directly and indirectly heated rotary kilns – up to 100 kg/h
- Multi-tank circuits, thickeners and filters (pressure and vacuum)
- Process modelling including IX and SX design / operation models
- ARPANSA and ASNO licensed to handle radioactive materials
Trusted technology developer
By integrating seamlessly with your operations, we ensure that the innovative solutions developed by our team are rapidly and effectively implemented. We directly support critical and strategic minerals project developers in Australia and internationally, through all stages of exploration to bankable feasibility. At ANSTO, we continually strive to accelerate our client’s project development, reduce risk and unlock greater value.
Benefits of working with ANSTO
Trusted and independent
expertise
expertise
Government and industry
connections
connections
Access to world-class science and
research infrastructure
research infrastructure
At every stage of your project, we offer practical solutions and innovative technologies designed to deliver financial and environmental benefits.
