2.6 Global Technology

Global Technology activities cover the full spectrum of our value chain from exploration tools, mining and processing technologies and environmental solutions through to ensuring our customers have the technical support available in the use of our products.

Global Technology activities cover the following areas:

  • exploration, mining and mine optimisation
  • leaching and remediation
  • minerals separation and hydrometallurgy
  • process engineering
  • technical marketing
  • intellectual property

In partnership with our businesses we aim to understand future trends and develop both existing and new technologies that can identify, evaluate and maximise the value of deposits.

Technical innovation is becoming increasingly important to support our low-cost production strategy. To maintain our reserves, we are currently developing technologies to treat complex lower-grade ores, technologies that will enable us to mine minerals at deeper levels, and tools to improve our mine planning capabilities. We also apply our knowledge and fundamental understanding of our products and how they perform in the customers’ processes to best serve our chosen markets and provide innovative customer solutions. In FY2008 activities were mainly focused on executing R&D projects for the businesses to support their expansion and growth strategies.

Global Technology has research and development centres in Australia (Newcastle and Perth) and South Africa (Johannesburg).

In FY2009 responsibility for Global Technology activities will transfer to CSGs and Group-wide Functions.