8 February 2010
Australia's researchers in carbon dioxide capture and geological storage (CCS) technology are making a big impact on the world stage. Geoscience Australia, in conjunction with Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism, has developed a collaborative capacity building project between China and Australia on the geological storage of greenhouse gases.
The China Australia Geological Storage of CO2 (CAGS) Project is a bilateral project which aims to help accelerate the development and deployment of CCS technology in China and Australia by increasing China and Australia's technical skills in the geological storage of carbon dioxide (CO2).
The project began in 2009 and is expected to be completed by mid to late 2011. It is endorsed by the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate (APP) through the Cleaner Fossil Energy Task Force.
CAGS workshop delegates
© Geoscience Australia
"This is an important project which aims to strengthen the ties between Australian and Chinese researchers for future collaboration in the area of geological storage of CO2," said Dr Clinton Foster, Chief of Geoscience Australia's Petroleum and Marine Division.
"The workshop enabled researchers to share their knowledge and experience, and to build valuable networks with representatives across government, academia and industry from both China and Australia," Dr Foster said.
20 January 2010
Students at the 2010
National Youth Science Forum
© Geoscience Australia
Australia's top science students are looking for a suitable site for the geological storage of carbon dioxide.
The students are taking up the challenge as part of the 2010 National Youth Science Forum.
During a new half-day workshop at Geoscience Australia, they work with scientists using some of the latest technology and techniques required to identify the best possible storage site for carbon dioxide - an innovative solution to one of the major challenges facing Australia.
Techniques include seismic, core and well-log interpretation as well as carbon dioxide monitoring and applications of GIS. Each group uses different techniques, equipment and data, and then get together to determine the optimum storage site.
The National Youth Science Forum is a two week program held in Canberra each year for students moving into Year 12 with an interest in science, engineering and technology. Geoscience Australia hosts two National Youth Science Forum visits each January.
21 December 2009
Australia's Identified Mineral
Resources 2009
© Geoscience Australia
Compiled by Geoscience Australia from information gathered from the mining and mineral processing industries, the review shows that Australia has the world's largest resources of mineral sands (rutile and zircon), nickel, silver, uranium, zinc, lead and brown coal.
It also ranks in the top six worldwide in identified resources of bauxite, black coal, copper, gold, iron ore, industrial diamond, ilmenite, lithium, manganese ore, niobium, tantalum and vanadium.
The report shows that during 2008, Australia's economic demonstrated resources of most mineral commodities increased as a result of the discovery of new deposits as well as on-going drilling and re-assessment of known deposits by the minerals industry.
Australia's Identified Mineral Resources 2009, is available as a free download and other fundamental data on the minerals sector can be obtained from the Australian Atlas of Mineral Resources, Mines and Processing Centres.