CSIRO’s Dr Nick Cutmore, Dr James Tickner, and Mr Dirk Treasure from spin-out company, Chrysos Corporation, have been honoured with the Prime Minister’s 2022 Prize for Innovation for the commercialisation of PhotonAssay technology.

CSIRO’s PhotonAssay™ technology delivers quicker, safer, more accurate, and environmentally friendly gold mineral analysis than traditional methods.

Chrysos Corporation has significantly grown their installations worldwide since 2016 to commercialise the PhotonAssay™ technology.

Across the world, PhotonAssay™ is becoming the preferred technology for gold analysis due to its speed and reduced environmental impact when compared to fire assay, the current process.

PhotonAssay™ produces less hazardous waste and fewer carbon dioxide emissions, making it a safer option than fire assay, which is slower, more hazardous, requires sample fusion at temperatures of up to 1200 degrees centigrade, and uses toxic chemicals.

CSIRO Chief Executive Dr Larry Marshall congratulated the team, describing Chrysos as a shining example of CSIRO’s innovation catalyst strategy in action.

“When scientists decide to create a business from scratch, you know it’s going to be pretty extraordinary,”

“Australian deep-tech innovation companies like Chrysos give me hope for the nation’s wider opportunity to add more value to our mineral commodities right here at home before we export them to the world.” said Dr Marshall.

Dr Nick Cutmore says he was extremely honoured to receive the Prime Minister’s Prize for Innovation, and credited CSIRO for providing an environment where such initiatives were possible.

“I’m proud that CSIRO’s innovative technology is now used around the world including Australia, Africa and North America – that’s real global impact,”

“Being fully automated, PhotonAssay™ can deliver results to customers in a little as two minutes, unlike the days that could be required for traditional methods.” Dr Cutmore said.

Also congratulating the team on its win was CSIRO’s Executive Director of Growth, Mr Jonathan Law who nominated the PhotonAssay™ team for the prestigious award.

Law says through partnerships with global laboratory companies and major miners, Chrysos is continuing to build Australia’s reputation of a world-leading exporter of Mining Equipment and Technology Services (METS) built on the very best of Australian science

“Chrysos has created more than 70 high-value jobs and delivers a safer and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional assay methods.” said Law.