Mine Design for ESG: A Systems Engineering Approach

Speakers: Dr Micah Nehring & Professor Peter Knights

Abstract: A Systems Engineering approach (Quality Functional Deployment) offers a clear ‘line of sight’ for the incorporation of ESG risks and opportunities into the early stage mine planning process.

Bio: Dr Micah Nehring is a lecturer within the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at UQ. He leads the Mine Production Optimisation and Scheduling group which is heavily focused on delivering high quality research outcomes such as mine planning considering pre-concentration systems and planning and installation of In-Pit-Crusher-Conveyor systems. Micah has successfully supervised or co-supervised 4 PhD and 1 MPhil students to completion. Micah’s research outputs have been published in numerous high-ranking journals. He has participated in research collaboration with European universities in Sweden, Germany and Kazakhstan. Micah has also developed an industry network that works with him in the implementation of some of his groups’ research outcomes.

Professor Peter Knights is currently the Discipline Leader for Mining within the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at UQ. He has over 30 years’ experience in applied mining research. He has conducted numerous research projects with mining companies in Australia, Canada, and Chile. He has supervised or co-supervised 15 PhD and 12 MPhil students to completion. He has a deep understanding of mine planning processes, having co-authored several papers related to mine scheduling and having taught surface and underground mine planning courses to mining engineers in Chile. He has extensive experience in leading large collaborative university initiatives, having been Smart Mining Systems Program Leader for CRC Mining from 2005-2014 as well as Executive Director of Mining Education Australia from 2010-2012.