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Minerals

World-leading expertise

ANSTO has globally recognised expertise in the processing of critical and strategic metals such as rare earths, scandium, lithium, zirconium, niobium and hafnium.

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Petalite, petalite or castorite is an important mineral for obtaining lithium, battery industry, lithium source

Supporting the mining and minerals processing industries

ANSTO offers consultancy, process development and research services to industry and is helping support the transition to renewable energy and net zero targets. Hear more about our latest projects, technology developments and news. 

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Research & Consultancy Services

Consultancy services for minerals industry

Consultancy

Our experienced team of engineers, metallurgists, chemists and scientists have a proven track record of working with our clients in Australia and around the world to design and evaluate novel flowsheets and improve established processes.

Applied research minerals development

Research and development

Our research group carries out fundamental research uniquely applied to industrial problems in the areas of uranium, rare earth and lithium processing.

ANSTO Staff member reviewing data on computer screen in Minerals pilot facility

Facilities

ANSTO has a full suite of mineralogical, chemical and hydrometallurgical facilities from laboratory through to pilot scale.

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Industrial research collaborations

ANSTO supports a number of Cooperative Research Centres Projects (CRC-P) programs in the area of critical and strategic minerals. Current work includes: 

  • The LieNA® technology piloting program in partnership with Lithium Australia. This work will demonstrate the recovery of lithium directly from fine and low grade spodumene mineral concentrates as lithium phosphate, and then conversion of this into cathode powders for lithium ferro-phosphate (LFP) batteries
  • Improved production of high purity vanadium pentoxide in partnership with Australian Vanadium Limited. This work is focussed on developing innovative approaches to the production of high purity vanadium pentoxide for use in energy storage as Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB) and other high-end applications

Find out more

Project highlights

ANSTO Staff at autoclave machinery

LieNa® technology receives funding boost

A world-first processing technology developed in collaboration by ANSTO’s Minerals unit and Lithium Australia Limited to extract lithium from discarded mining waste, LieNa®, has reached an exciting new milestone in its progress towards commercialisation.

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Pilot Hydromet Plant delivers favourable results

VHM Ltd, an Australian mineral sands and rare earths company working with ANSTO’s Minerals team, has recently announced successful results for its flagship project, the Goschen Rare Earths and Minerals Sands Project.

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Grant awarded under Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative

ANSTO welcomed an announcement by Lynas Rare Earths Ltd of a $20 million grant awarded under the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative – Manufacturing Translation Stream. 

Get in touch

Our team is available to discuss commercial projects, consultancy, research or any other areas of our business that you might be interested in. Feel free to contact any one of the team members directly or email our group via minerals@ansto.gov.au. 

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Chris Griffith headshot

Dr Chris Griffith

Principal Consultant

ANSTO Minerals Karin Soldenhoff 2015 staff profile image (1) square 200 x 200

Dr Karin Soldenhoff

Principal Consultant

Sateesha Tirumali Seetharam

Sateesha Tirumali Seetharam

General Manager - Minerals

Meet the Minerals team

Helpful links

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