Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia

What if you didn’t have to wait for paydirt to appear in your core tray? What if your drill could read the environment around it and sniff out the mineralisation, and tell you which way to go?

Through the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) Project M10445, Harris Brett and his team at Curtin University, sponsored by IMDEX, Rio Tinto Technological Resources Pty Ltd and South32 Group Operations Pty Ltd, are developing advanced geophysical sensors that can detect subtle variations in rock properties, natural radioactivity and electromagnetic properties, while drilling. These sensors could enable dynamic, real-time decision-making, helping geologists steer toward mineral-rich zones as a drill advances.

Integrated into the RoXplorer drilling platform under development at the MinEx CRC, this technology has the potential to reduce exploration costs, improve targeting accuracy, and unlock deeper ore bodies, making mineral discovery faster, smarter, and more economical.

To find out more read the details in MRIWA report 10445: https://www.mriwa.wa.gov.au/research-projects/project-portfolio/petrophysics-for-mineral-discovery-during-drilling-phase-2-minex-crc-project-4/

The Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) is backing the CRC in its mission to address the challenges of making significant new mineral discoveries in Australia.

The RoXplorer Coiled Tubing (CT) drilling platform, a transformative initiative led by MinEx CRC research lead Soren Soe and his team at the University of South Australia, is repurposing proven technology to meet the unique challenges of Australia’s mineral exploration sector. Backed by industry leaders including Anglo American, BHP, Epiroc, LKAB Wassara, South32, and the Department of Regional New South Wales, the project represents a significant step forward in exploration innovation.

Pre-commercial trials of the RoXplorer system delivered performance on par with commercial drilling, with twice the productivity, reduced water and fuel use, and improved safety and environmental outcomes.

High-fidelity geological samples and real-time optimisation capabilities make this a game-changer for future exploration.

Learn more about this project on our website and connect with MRIWA to be part of the future of minerals research and innovation: https://www.mriwa.wa.gov.au/research-projects/project-portfolio/coiled-tubing-drilling-for-definition-of-mineral-deposits-phase-2-minex-crc-project-2/

The Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) is excited to announce the launch of a major new report that transforms our understanding of how Northern Australia’s Proterozoic basins formed – and why their sedimentary layers hold significant promise for the future discovery of world-class copper and gold mineralisation.

Led by The University of Western Australia’s Weronika Gorczyk, this research brings together advanced modelling and geophysical interpretation to reveal how long-lived sutures, formed during the tectonic assembly of Northern Australia, have influenced sedimentation, deformation, and mineralising fluid flow. These processes drove the evolution of the region's Proterozoic basins from broad systems into increasingly narrow and focused rift zones under elevated heat flow, ultimately shaping the distribution of mineral fertility within the stratigraphy.

Through the dynamic insights it provides, this report demonstrates strong links between persistent lithospheric structural corridors and Northern Australia's major known mineral belts. It offers a powerful predictive framework for targeting concealed deposits in one of Australia’s most promising emerging mineral provinces.

This important research has been made possible through the support and collaboration of key sponsors:
Anglo American Exploration (Australia) Pty Ltd, Anglo American Plc, Australian Research Council (ARC), BHP Group Operations Pty Ltd, IGO Ltd, Monash University, and Teck Resources Limited Australia.

For explorers, researchers, and investors alike, this work delivers a valuable new conceptual tool to support understanding and discovery of minerals in covered terrains.

To read more about the findings, visit the MRIWA website or download the report for Project M0554:

Curtin University and MinEx CRC research led by Konstantin Tertyshnikov is transforming how seismic imaging is used in mineral exploration.

Supported by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) under project M10446, and sponsored by Anglo American Exploration (Australia) Pty Ltd, BHP Pty Ltd and Rio Tinto Technological Resources Pty Ltd, the researchers have developed efficient, cost-effective workflows that integrate modern low-impact seismic sensing within standard exploration drilling practice.

These methods enhance 3D visualisation of subsurface geology, increasing data quality and reducing the number of drill holes needed to test targets.

The result? Smarter, more economical exploration with greater potential to uncover deep, hidden ore bodies.

To read more, check out MRIWA report 10446: https://www.mriwa.wa.gov.au/research-projects/project-portfolio/seismic-in-the-drilling-workflow-phase-2-minex-crc-project-5/

Strengthening Australia’s capability in critical minerals processing is essential for future battery supply chains and the Hydrometallurgical Processing for Nickel and Cobalt Project (FBI CRC Project 029), part‑funded by MRIWA, has delivered important progress toward that goal.

Stage 2, led by Elsayed ORABY, Murdoch University and Curtin University and sponsored by FBI CRC, advanced experimental work on recovering nickel, cobalt and copper from glycine‑based solutions using commercial ion‑exchange resins and alternative materials.

Building on Stage 1 findings, researchers confirmed that chelating and cation exchange resins remain the most effective for metal recovery across multiple solution types.

The project also evaluated alternative materials, including a synthesised ceramic filter that showed strong cobalt recovery potential. Kinetic studies demonstrated rapid metal uptake for selected resins, while elution trials provided insights into optimising metal release using sulfuric and nitric acid solutions.

These results highlight promising pathways for more efficient, selective and sustainable hydrometallurgical processing, supporting improved recovery from ores, concentrates, tailings and waste streams. The work contributes to Australia’s growing capability in value‑added critical minerals processing and supports future innovation across the battery materials sector.

To find out more on our other research projects, visit the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA) website: https://www.mriwa.wa.gov.au/research-projects/project-portfolio/hydrometallurgical-processing-for-nickel-and-cobalt-ores-concentrates-tailings-wastes/

Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than any technology we’ve seen, and its impact on Western Australia’s mining and minerals research sector is no longer optional, it’s inevitable.

The real question? How effectively we can integrate AI into research, operations, and long‑term decision‑making to boost productivity, sustainability, and competitiveness.

Yes, risks around cyber security and responsible deployment are real, and they matter. But with the right skills, frameworks, and partnerships, AI becomes a powerful tool that drives safer operations, deeper geological insights, and faster innovation across the sector.

WA has a chance to lead the world in showing how advanced technology can strengthen a modern resources economy. The time to learn, lean in, and lead is now.

🎟️ MRIWA RESEARCH SHOWCASE - Two Weeks to Go!
We still have tickets available for our flagship event exploring cutting‑edge AI innovation in mining.

To make it easier for you to join us, we’re offering a 40% off flash sale from Tuesday 24 Feb to Friday 27 Feb.
Use code FLASH26 at checkout.

📣 Please share with colleagues, partners, and friends who would benefit from future‑focused insights and networking opportunities.

👉 Book directly here: https://www.trybooking.com/DGRTE

Exciting research led by Henning Prommer at the The University of Western Australia could revolutionise how we extract valuable metals from deep underground ore systems.

Backed by the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia, the research team explored using electric currents to guide chemical solvents through solid rock – a breakthrough that could help make metal recovery cheaper, cleaner, and more precise.

Imagine mining without the production of waste, and with minimal disruption to the landscape – and the ability to control the process with the flick of a switch.

This cutting-edge tech could unlock value from stranded mineral assets that were previously seen as uneconomic. A win for both the industry and the environment.



To read more on the research findings of project M0544, visit our website: https://www.mriwa.wa.gov.au/research-projects/project-portfolio/towards-a-mechanistic-understanding-of-electrokinetic-in-situ-leaching/

We’re excited to share MRIWA Report 10447, showcasing an incredible WA innovation: the EnPhytoBox®, created by the team at Syrinx Environmental.

EnPhytoBox® is a “wetland‑in‑a‑box” a modular, mobile unit that can treat contaminated water right at the source using nature-based chemistry and phytoremediation. The result?
- Clean, reusable water
- Useful biomass
- Zero waste and zero emissions

With support from MRIWA, Kathy Meney, Ljiljana Pantelic, Sue Robson and the Syrinx took the system even further by integrating Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) tech. That means real‑time monitoring and control, even from the most remote mine sites.

This breakthrough solution is ready to be deployed across WA and internationally, strengthening WA’s position as a global leader in sustainable mining innovation.

Want to dive deeper into the research?
Read MRIWA Report 10447 here: https://www.mriwa.wa.gov.au/research-projects/project-portfolio/wetland-in-a-box-enphytobox-a-smart-water-treatment-system-to-support-the-decarbonisation-of-water-in-mining/

We’d love to hear from you:
How could technology like this make a difference in your operations?

Henri Scaffidi’s work undertaken as part of a MRIWA funded Co-operative Education for Enterprise Development (CEED) has now been published in the Journal Transactions on Graph Data and Knowledge (TGDK).

His paper, GraphRAG on Technical Documents - Impact of Knowledge Graph Schema, retrieval can be improved by use of domain curated schema.

However, a schema that is too specific may constrain the large language models and reduce recall, while one that is too generic may overlook important distinctions.

Striking the right balance appears to be a critical consideration in knowledge graph schema design for GraphRAG.

These results suggest that a domain-specific schema can assist GraphRAG with entity extraction on technical texts, leading to better response quality.

Academic supervisors included Prof. Melinda Hodkiewicz and Dr Caitlin Woods.

The journal article can be accessed here: https://doi.org/10.4230/TGDK.3.2.3

The 2026 MRIWA Scholarships round will close on 30 September 2025. Scholarships are available for students undertaking a higher degree by research (HDR) in innovative research in the minerals industry. Scholars appointed to these scholarships will receive financial support via an annual stipend of over $41,000, a research and travel allowance of over $5,900, as well as professional development and communications training benefits provided through the MRIWA Education and Workforce Program.

If you – or somebody you know – is contemplating PhD research or are an Indigenous student undertaking a higher degree by research, see whether a MRIWA Scholarship is: https://www.mriwa.wa.gov.au/research-funding/education-program/scholarships/