WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre

About the WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre

The WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre (BRC) at the Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI) supports sustainable and responsible mineral production by maximising the value of geoscientific data across the value chain.

Our researchers focus on creating positive industry impact through applied research and training in the areas of geoscience and mining.

The BRC identifies and translates the increasingly voluminous and complex set of geoscientific data associated with exploration, mining, processing and waste into practical knowledge and insight that improve the performance and sustainability of the mining industry.

We achieve our objectives through the combined industry and academic backgrounds of our researchers, who provide grounded solutions to industry challenges through our research groups and programs. These research programs include: Deep Mining Geoscience; Mine Waste Transformation through Characterisation; Total Deposit Knowledge; and our integrated and collaborative science of Geometallurgy.

Capabilities

Our capabilities in geoscience data collection, analytics, interpretation and applications address a wide range of speciality subject matter areas:

geochemistry
mineralogy and mineral chemistry
petrophysics
geometallurgy
geophysics
structural geology and tectonics
geotechnical engineering
underground mass mining
geoenvironmental
deposit modelling and evaluation
mining geology and mine reconciliation
mine waste characterisation
technical governance and assurance

The BRC's research focuses on applied geoscience, and aims to maximise the value of geoscientific data across the mining value chain in the pursuit of sustainable and responsible mineral production.

Visit BRC's research and program page

Research programs

Deep Mining Geoscience

Providing world-class geoscientific insights for all stages of deep mass mining, from discovery to recovery, including the investigation of new and/or modified mass mining methods, particularly deep, high column cave mines, tailored to optimise the extraction of ore reserves and to minimise the effects of geohazards.

See the Deep Mining Geoscience program

Mine Waste Transformation through Characterisation

Applying geometallurgical tools to enable the geoenvironmental characterisation of mine waste across the life-of-mine.

See the Mine Waste Transformation through Characterisation program

Total Deposit Knowledge

Maximizing the impact of geological information and understanding on the mining value chain and to increase the effectiveness of in-mine and district exploration.

See the Total Deposit Knowledge program

Research collaborations

Geometallurgy

Geometallurgical understanding is fundamental to the optimal operation of any mine and processing facility.

See more about geometallurgy at SMI

Director

Professor Mark Noppé
View Mark Noppé's profile

Leadership

Professor Nick Cook
View Nick Cook's research profile

Associate Professor Anita Parbhakar-Fox
View Anita Parbhakar-Fox's research profile

Professor Andre van As
View Andre van As' research profile

See the full list of BRC staff and students

Advisory Board

The Centre in combination with the Julius Kruttschnitt Minerals Research Centre (JKMRC) is guided by an external Advisory Board with specific expertise and experience. Representatives of this Advisory Board include academic and industry representatives that span the gamut of the mining industry focusing in the areas of mine geology, mining engineering and mineral processing.

See the Production Centres Advisory Board

The BRC is involved in a number of research and consulting projects and are looking for highly motivated postgraduate students with a background in geology, geophysics, mining engineering, mineral processing or basic sciences. Successful applicants will work with senior researchers and engage with key industry partners - helping prepare you for a successful research or commercial career in the mining industry.

Study a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Master of Philosophy (MPhil) with BRC. Propose your own research project with a supervisor or find an available research project with a scholarship.

For more information and enquiries about studying at SMI:

See more on SMI's Higher Degree by Research page