Scientists at CSIRO’s Lucas Heights campus are creating new ways to detect minerals, explosives, and other materials in real time. Their work combines magnetic resonance, radio waves, and X-ray technology to transform complex science into practical tools.
In July, two CSIRO spin-outs, NextOre and MRead, merged to form MagnaTerra Technologies, valued at $150 million. The company now brings CSIRO’s sensing technologies to mining sites worldwide and is exploring applications in landmine and narcotics detection.
The Sensing and Sorting group uses labs and pilot-scale facilities to develop and test their technology. Their approach involves pulsing radio waves into ore, tuned to the frequency of target minerals. The system can sort rocks on conveyor belts in real time, saving energy, water, and boosting productivity.
Engineers worked to reduce massive power requirements into compact, safe systems. This effort led to NextOre in 2017, which now detects copper, lithium, and other critical minerals. Lithium sensing requires large electromagnets, adapted from MRI technology, to identify rocks before refinement. This helps reduce waste and improves mining efficiency.
The team is also applying their technology to humanitarian demining. Compact MR-based devices detect explosives and narcotics. The units are light, robust, and designed for field use in hot, dusty, or humid conditions. Field trials have taken place in Angola with promising results.
CSIRO’s innovations show how advanced science can create real-world impact. From mining operations to life-saving landmine detection, the team is turning discoveries into tools that improve safety, efficiency, and sustainability.