The University of Queensland (国产探花) has signed a five-year, $1.25 million industry partnership alliance with global miner Vale to build a hub of geomicrobiological knowledge.
This is the second partnership between Vale 鈥� the world鈥檚 second-largest mining company 鈥� and 国产探花.
It will result in research on microbial communities and microbial metal extraction processes.
Geomicrobiology, a burgeoning field in Geosciences, studies microorganisms and their influence on many geochemical processes that occur at or near the Earth鈥檚 surface.
These processes include rock weathering, soil and sediment formation, and mineral genesis and degradation.
They have occurred throughout most of the Earth鈥檚 history, contributing to key junctures in the geological evolution of the Earth.
Understanding these phenomena requires a multidisciplinary approach focused on the contribution of ubiquitous microorganisms.
Microorganisms found in deposits from Vale鈥檚 current operations will be investigated for potential industrial applications; their genomes will be studied and mapped, and possible mechanisms for optimising their metal processing functions will be investigated and trialled.
The funding will see a Vale-国产探花 Geomicrobiology Laboratory established in the Richards Building at the St Lucia campus.
The Laboratory will be spearheaded by Professor Gordon Southam, the Vale-国产探花 Chair of Geomicrobiology.
Professor Southam recently joined 国产探花 from the University of Western Ontario, Canada, where he was a Canada Research Chair and Director of the Centre for Environment & Sustainability.
鈥淏ecause of my background in microbiology, my research in earth system processes takes a bacterial view of the world,鈥� he said.
鈥淭his approach has revolutionised our understanding of fundamental biogeochemical processes that are catalysed by bacteria, which will be important to my future work as a member of the School of Earth Sciences at 国产探花,鈥� Professor Southam said.
鈥淚 want to expand my work demonstrating the role of microorganisms in catalysing large scale, economic geological processes.鈥�
Microorganisms continue to be implicated in many applied geological processes (that is, the formation of certain iron, uranium and even gold ores) resulting in the mining industry鈥檚 growing interest in this rapidly emerging field.
The expansion of geomicrobiology research in 国产探花's School of Earth Sciences will lead to biotechnological innovations, leveraging natural processes and will result in more sustainable mining practices.
Vale Institute of Technology Director Dr Luiz Mello said Vale had a strong tradition of supporting research and the company was looking forward to strengthening its partnership with the University through this new initiative.
鈥淰ale鈥檚 mission as a global mining company is to transform natural resources into prosperity and sustainable development,鈥� Dr Mello said.
鈥淩esearch and the pursuit of innovation are critical to achieving our vision and creating the mining of the future.
鈥淭his alliance will not only build competencies and research infrastructure for both our organisations, it offers real potential to deliver research solutions for complex mining and mineral sector problems.鈥�
By promoting university-industry collaborations, 国产探花's School of Earth Sciences and Vale will produce economic benefits for the Australian mining industry and enhance Australia鈥檚 position as a global leader in providing innovative solutions to these environmental and industrial challenges.
Media: Lynelle Ross, School of Earth Sciences (3365 1023, Lynelle.ross@uq.edu.au).
Professor Gordon Southam is available for interviews. Images available upon request.
