Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre

About the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre

The Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) is a world-leading provider of postgraduate education and innovative applied research in mineral processing and geometallurgy.

JKMRC focuses on advancing knowledge and practical solutions considering the emerging needs of minerals for the sustainable development of society. Our researchers collaborate extensively with industry stakeholders and research organisations worldwide, and its research outcomes are widely used in practice.

Vision

The Centre's vision is to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world applications and create industry impact through applied research and knowledge transfer, benefiting both the industry and the scientific community.

Research groups

The Centre conducts research through groups and research collaborations.

See more information on research groups

Advanced Process Prediction and Control Group

The Advanced Process Prediction and Control (APPCo) Group pioneers and implements cutting-edge solutions for real-time process prediction and optimisation. The group’s goal is to enhance the Advance Process Control (APC) platforms in the industry, elevating their performance and efficiency by deploying its real-time process prediction solutions.

Learn more about the APPCo Group

High-Temperature Processing Group

The High-Temperature Processing (HTP) Group advances metal production, both ferrous and non-ferrous to meet the growing global demand for elemental metals while also focusing on the sustainable reuse and recycling of secondary resources.

Learn more about the HTP Group

Energy Transition and Integration

The Energy Transition and Integration (ET&I) Group accelerates transformational changes in how the mining industry meets net-zero targets, obtains and consumes energy, and integrates activities across the mining value chain business cycle.

Learn more about the Energy Transition and Integration Group

Separation Group

The Separation Group develops mineral separation processes to achieve improved profitability resource utilisation, and minimise environmental impact in the mining industry. It also develops the modelling capability to enable these technologies to be evaluated in the context of a circuit flowsheet.

Learn more about the Separation Group

Flotation Chemistry

The Flotation Chemistry Group works to improves the base metal sulphide flotation systems, focusing on reagent chemistry (both novel and traditional), water properties, mineral surface chemistry and electrochemistry as well as advanced surface analysis.

Learn more about the Flotation Chemistry Group

ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals

The University of Queensland is one of seven universities partnering on sustainable minerals processing through this Centre of Excellence, and the UQ Node is based at JKMRC. The Centre’s research focuses on the core of minerals processing – particle size – and how coarser particles can increase robustness, efficiency, and speed of separation and, therefore, energy efficiency.

Learn more about the COEMinerals UQ Node

Collaborative Consortium for Coarse Particle Processing Research

The Collaborative Consortium for Coarse Particle Processing Research (CPR)Consortium aims to develop improved energy efficiency for mineral processing operations. It focuses on the multidisciplinary aspects of coarse particle processing such as flotation, comminution, classification, and equipment design and process chemistry.

Learn more about the CPR Consortium

Geometallurgy

Geometallurgical understanding is fundamental to the optimal operation of any mine and processing facility. Geometallurgy-related research and consulting services are carried out across SMI through JKMRC, JKTech and the WH Bryan Mining Geology Research Centre (BRC).

See more about geometallurgy at SMI

The Resources Centre of Excellence

JKMRC is a research partner in the Resources Centre of Excellence in Mackay. The Centre’s focus is to drive innovation, collaboration and advancement in the mining industry on a global scale to shape the future of the METS and resources sector. The Centre’s partners are drawn from industry, government, education providers, researchers and the community.

Visit the Resources Centre of Excellence website

Centre Director

Professor Mohsen Yahyaei
View Mohsen Yahyaei's research profile

Leadership

Associate Professor Liza Forbes
View Liza Forbes' researcher profile

Dr Xiaodong Ma
View Xiaodong Ma's researcher profile

Associate Professor Kym Runge
View Kym Runge's researcher profile

See the full list of JKMRC staff and students

Advisory Board

The Advisory Boards for the Julius Kruttschnitt Research Centre (JKMRC) and the WH Bryan Research Centre (BRC) are combined. 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

Higher Degree by Research (HDR)

Embarking on a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil) at JKMRC offers students a unique opportunity to engage with world-renowned researchers in mining and mineral processing. Candidates will benefit from hands-on experience at the centre, including a state-of-the-art pilot plant and laboratory facilities. The centre’s strong industry focus and applied research projects present students with academic challenges and also facilitate interaction with seasoned minerals industry professionals.

For more information and enquiries visit the Sustainable Minerals Institute’s Higher Degree by Research page.

See more on SMI's Higher Degree by Research page

Professional workshops

JKMRC has developed many industry focussed training programs in specialised areas such as comminution, flotation, process mineralogy and statistics which are offered through SMI Professional Development or our partner JKTech (Pty) Limited.

JKMRC Friday Seminars

The Friday Seminars are an institution at JKMRC. They are open to all, and attendance is in person or via Zoom. Speakers from industry and academia contribute to the program which covers a range of topics related to the minerals sector from decision making in exploration, new mineral processing technologies, social licence to operate and mine closure.

Access the Friday Seminar program

Monographs

JKMRC’s series of monographs on mining and mineral processing are designed to help practitioners in operations, consulting, engineering services and research. The books combine practical methods with scientific rigour to deliver effective solutions to challenges in the field.

Access the monographs

JKMRC Digest

The Digest is where students and staff share updates on their research activities, experiences, and updates from around JKMRC.

Access the JKMRC Digest

Facilities

The Centre has a number of facilities accessible to staff and students.

Learn more about the available facilities

Centre history

Learn more about the history of JKMRC