The university has launched the snappily titled Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals

That’s that Uni Newcastle, the one where former Nats leader and deputy PM Mark Vaile declined an offer to become chancellor following uproar over his chairing a coal company.

Which may be why the launch-announcement yesterday emphasised the new centre is about mining for good, “new and more sustainable mining technologies as demand for minerals – including those used in white goods, smartphones and solar panels – increase.”