Sustainability and Eco-Efficiency Assessments at Operating Plants (2A2)

Project Status: Complete
Project Participants: Curtin University of Technology, University of Queensland
Project Leader: Robin Evans (University of Queensland)

This project provided for the execution of on-site opportunity assessments in operations of CSRP industry participants to develop and prioritise practical opportunities for sites to start their journey to sustainable resource processing. It aimed to "mix and merge" different assessment methodologies, in particular risk assessment applied to sustainability (lead by Sustainable Minerals Institute at University of Queensland) and eco-efficiency opportunity assessment (lead by Centre of Excellence in Cleaner Production at Curtin University of Technology).

The project’s dual thrust was (a) to initiate and foster site based sustainability and eco-efficiency initiatives; and (b) to improve the practical value of different auditing and improvement methodologies for resource processing operations.

The principal aim of the project wass for CSRP to engage operating sites in the development, screening and implementation of opportunities for their own operations to improve their eco-efficiency and sustainability performance.

The research objectives were to:

• Develop practical opportunities for improvement of eco-efficiency and sustainability performance at selected sites operated by CSRP industry participants.
• Contribute to the further development and improvement of methodologies for the development of site-based improvements (such as the Sustainability Opportunity and Threat Analysis and Eco-Efficiency Assessment).
• Involve operating sites in the development, delivery and utilisation of the research, training and technology transfer programs of CSRP.