The grant funding enabled partnerships with the Co-operative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANTSO), and the Anergy Group.
The post-graduate researchers were employed over 3 years to investigate thermal decomposition of pyrite. This has direct relevance to the pyrolysis stage of the metallurgical flowsheet developed for the BHCP. Researchers worked closely with BHCP staff to construct, operate, and optimise the pilot and demonstration scale metallurgical plant at Broken Hill.
During the 3 years with the BHCP, one of the research students (Hamish McDougall), advanced his understanding of the thermal decomposition of pyrite and learned about the many aspects of the BHCP operation. We value his involvement in the development of the Demonstration Plant and design for the BHCP-scale metallurgical plant.
Hamish has graduated with a Master’s in Industrial Research (Chemistry), became a published academic, and won the 2021 and 2022 ANSTO Industry Foundations Scholarship. Hamish is now employed as a Chemist with the BHCP.
Learn more about the project and Hamish in the video below.