2024 Capability Portfolio Digital | Page 94

Clean Energy Capability Portfolio | Storage Technologies

Mineral Exploration for a

Sustainable Future

Research utilising an in-situ laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry ( LA-ICP-MS ) analytical technique to investigate the trace element chemistry of pyrite in sediment hosted Zn-Pb and Cu deposits . The pyrite geochemical database can be used to devise mineralisation vectors and assist with critical minerals exploration in Australia .

Competitive Advantage

• Robust and extensive in-situ pyrite geochemical database and its multiple applications in mineral exploration

Impact

• Robust databases are an integral part of the mineral exploration process and valuable to the broader mining industry
• The pyrite database supports ore deposit characterisation and critical mineral exploration

Successful Applications

• 2024-2023 – $ 30,000 – Geological Survey of South Australia
• 2023 – $ 30,000 – Science Faculty Research Grant ( UNSW )
• 2019-2021 – $ 125,000 – Ian Potter Foundation Fellowship ( UTAS )

Our Collaborators

• University of Toronto
• Central Michigan University
• University of Tasmania
• Geological Survey of South Australia
• Queensland Geological Survey
• Mineral Resources Tasmania
• Glencore
• First Quantum
• Teck Resources
• Red Metal
• Sandfire Resources
• DGO Gold
• Anglo American
• Ivanhoe
• South 32
• MMG
• 2019-2021 – $ 480,000 – Industry ( 7 mining companies and 2 state geological surveys )
• Ian Potter Foundation
• 2019 – $ 50,000 – Ivanhoe
• 2018 – $ 110,000 – DGO Gold
• 2015 – $ 5,000 – Society of Economic Geologists Fellowship

More Information

Dr Indrani Mukherjee
School of Biological , Earth and Environmental Sciences

Capabilities and Facilities

• Extensive research capability coupled with access to cutting-edge facilities
Earth and Sustainability Science Research Centre ( ESSRC )
T : + 61 432 354 821
E : indrani . mukherjee @ unsw . edu . au

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