RESEARCH PROJECTS BENEFIT ENVIRONMENT, HEALTHAND CRITICAL MINERALS RECOVERY

Two new major research projects into recovering waste from electronic components using plant based acids and also recovering radioactive waste from abandoned mines for anti-cancer medical isotopes will benefit the environment, health and critical minerals industry.

Following two successful applications through the Federal Government’s Australian Economic Accelerator (AEA) Seed grants, the University of Adelaide, Nova Terra, and its Perth-based business partner, Reforme will now accelerate the research and commercialisation of these two new projects.

The first project grant with total cash and in-kind funding of $AUD600,000 is for the rapid development of a new source for medical treatment compounds from radioactive mine waste. The radioactive isotopes are already being used for anti-cancer treatments with a limited supply and this new process will secure a constant source of medical isotopes from mine waste. This will have an added benefit of rehabilitating mines as well as creating long-term economic support for impacted communities.

The second project with total cash and in-kind funding of $AUD400,000 is for the sustainable extraction and recovery of metals in e- waste for the renewable energy transition and the circular economy. This is a very unique system of generating natural acids from plants which in turn is then used to extract critical minerals from electronic waste. The added benefit is that the plant-based acids do not add to the environmental impact of recycling.

These projects are part of accelerated business expansion by Reforme through its Joint Venture with US-based M2i called The Quadrangle Project which will capture the benefits of the Australian – USA Critical Minerals Compact recently signed by the President and the Prime Minister. The projects also complement Nova Terra and Reforme's involvement in the recently approved Australian Research Council Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Radiation Innovation, a five-year program to enhance core capability across the nation, and the ongoing efforts to create new pathways for recovery of critical materials. These programs align with a strategy of risk-based investment to establish deep innovation pipelines.

Reforme has leading technology for commercialising mine waste and access to many mine sites across Northern Australia.

M2i is a specialist US-based firm in engineering, research, and production services company that brings together key stakeholders from government, businesses, non-profits, and academia to ensure guaranteed access and availability of critical minerals and metals. Their focus on US national defense and economic security strengthens the strategic objectives of the Joint Venture.

Nova Terra is an Adelaide Perth-based organisation which fosters the collaboration between industry, academia, and research institutes to address real-world challenges by linking advanced science and practical applications.

Dr. Tom Payten

Managing Director, Nova Terra

Tom.payten@novaterra.org.au