Who we are

JKMRC’s objective is to be a world class provider of postgraduate education and innovative applied research in mineral processing and geometallurgy, and thereby contribute to the next generation of mining and mineral processing operations by delivering the processes and the technologies as well as appropriately trained people.

With an outstanding international reputation as an innovator in mining and mineral processing research, the JKMRC is noted for the widespread use of its research outcomes by industry.  It is the largest Australian research centre in this field and collaborates with major mining and mineral processing research groups worldwide.  Research is sponsored by most of the major mining companies.

Our History

The JKMRC grew from an initial research team formed in the 1960s. 
 

In 1961 a significant event occurred, which would shape JKMRC research for the next 50 years and beyond. The AMIRA P9 Project was approved for commencement in 1962 under the title of Simulation and Automatic Control of Mineral Treatment Processes. Click here to read about the history of the first 20 years of the P9 Project as written by Emeritus Professor Alban Lynch.

It was officially established as a University Centre of The University of Queensland in 1970, with a goal to develop practical technical solutions for large-scale mining and minerals industry challenges. The Centre was named after the well known mining identity Julius Kruttschnitt.

The JKMRC site is unique to mining schools in Australia.  In 1951, a former silver and lead mine situated at Finney's Hill in the Brisbane suburb of Indooroopilly was acquired by The University of Queensland's School of Mining Engineering.  This Experimental Mine is maintained as a registered mine and is used by UQ undergraduate mining engineering students as part of their course work.  For a brief history of the mine, click here. 

In 2001, The University of Queensland established the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) to provide a critical mass of researchers with the capability to address the major challenges facing the international minerals industry.  JKMRC is the largest research centre within the SMI.