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.
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.
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:
Contact us
Get in touch for any enquiries.
+61 7 3443 4307 smi.admin@uq.edu.au
Location
The University of Queensland Experimental Mine Site, 40 Isles Road Indooroopilly, QLD 4068 Australia
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