Summer and Winter Research Programs for Undergraduates

The overarching theme of the project is to characterise intact rock strength at small scales of various rock units for improved quantification of rock mass strength inputs to geotechnical stability models.  The proposed combination of the unique geotechnical (SILC) and mineralogical characterisation (hyperspectral imagery) tests will lead to improved understanding of the relationship between mineralogy and tensile fracture propagation. By the end, we hope to develop a refined methodology in the form of a guide for sample selection, preparation and testing to enable future repetition of the SILC test for the characterisation of intact rock strength that could be readily applied by a geologist,  geotechnical engineer or a materials-testing technician.

Duration and delivery: 6 weeks duration, 20 - 36 hours per week, with flexibility arranged on availability. The project will be on-site at the Indooroopilly Mine Site.

Expected outcomes and deliverables: The applicant will gain skills in data collection in a pilot plant/laboratory environment, working with various rock samples (drilling, cutting, sieving, measuring, weighing and data recording).  As a result, observational and record-keeping skills will also be developed. The applicant may also be asked to produce a report or oral presentation at the end of their project.

Suitable for: Suitable for UQ enrolled students but may be of relevant interest to 3^rd - 4^th year students with a background in mechanical engineering/geotechnical engineering/geology. Applicants must be willing to work with samples in the outdoor pilot plant/laboratory. No prior knowledge is required, all training will be provided.

Primary Supervisors: Katerina Savinova and Dr Dion Weatherley

Further information: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Katerina Savinova if they have any questions.

The exploration and discovery of critical mineral resources is crucial for Net Zero, electrification and society's ability to mitigate the climate crisis. However, discovery rates remain stubbornly low. New innovations are essential to transform our success rate at critical mineral exploration.

In this new era, Australia has been at the forefront of developing frameworks to improve approaches to exploration. One framework (Mineral Systems Framework) identifies the primary factors influencing the formation of ore deposits and the connections between these factors; for example the sources of fluids and metals, their transport pathways in the earth and the physicochemical mechanisms that trap and concentrate metal-bearing minerals. A notable aspect of this approach is it is largely conceptual.

Network theory offers innovative and visual approaches to understand how different components of a system link to one another, and to quantify these linkages.

Aims:

• Show that mineral systems can be easily represented as a network.
• Show that mineral systems predictions can be quantified using networks.
• Develop new insights for critical mineral exploration.

Approach:

• Select, in discussion with the research team, an ore deposit type suitable for a mineral systems analysis.
• Conduct a short systematic literature review, applying the latest online tools in literature mapping and AI assistance, to compile key articles that (a) provide existing Mineral Systems analyses, or (b) describe the geological characteristics of the ore deposit type for a Mineral Systems Framework Analysis.
• Draft a network of the relationships between the different components of the Mineral System.
• Use code already developed, or work with the research team, to quantify the topological characteristics of the Mineral System network.
• Extract properties insights from the network of the Mineral System that could have application in previously unconsidered regions.

Duration and delivery: 6 weeks duration, 36 hours per week. Full-time on-site attendance at the Indooroopilly Mine Site is preferable, although a hybrid arrangement is possible.

Expected outcomes and deliverables: The applicant will have opportunity to develop research skills in reviewing scientific literature to assess the state-of-art knowledge, and compile data. They will also learn about ‘network theory’ and how it can be applied across disciplines to solve new problems. The project will end with an oral presentation summary. Depending on the outcomes of the project, there may be an opportunity for the research and the applicant to be included in a publication.

Suitable for: This project is open to an enthusiastic UQ-enrolled 3^rd - 4^th year student studying geology/geophysics.  Ideally, you will have skills in economic/ore deposit geology understanding, programming (Python) skills and general maths, although not obligatory.

Primary Supervisor: Associate Professor Steven Micklethwaite

Further information: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Associate Professor Steven Micklethwaite to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application.

Remote sensing from space has resulted in a breathtaking wealth of continuous and robust observations of our earth’s surface. In particular, the Landsat earth observation satellites have collected information in various bands, that stretch from the visible into the infrared parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. Band ratios, also known as spectral Indices, can be derived from multispectral data and are used to monitor everything from geology and geomorphology to vegetation health, water bodies and fire damage. There has been an enormous demand for satellite data, driven by an expansion in proposed spectral indices.

Aims:

To test whether atypical spectral indices have value in enhancing the identification of geological and environmental features in the landscape not immediately identified by human eyes, and to automate the process of ratio calculations.

Approach:

• Conduct a short systematic literature review, applying the latest online tools in literature mapping and AI assistance. The scope of the review will vary depending on the background understanding of the student. Themes could include (a) fundamentals of multispectral sensing by satellite (b) summary of the principles behind band ratios (spectral sharpening), and (c) compilation of published band ratios, applied to ecology, geological mapping and agriculture.
• Source historical and contemporary Landsat data over a case study site (scene), selected to contain a variety of features.
• Develop code to automate the calculation of multispectral band ratios from Landsat data, to generate a library of outputs that include atypical indices. This could involve building on the "Awesome Spectral Indices” (ASI), a standardized catalogue of spectral indices with an associated Python Library (see Montero et al., 2023, Nature Scientific Data).
• Compare and contrast the case study data to test whether new environmental and geological features are enhanced in any of the atypical band ratios.
• Examine a subset of the band ratios to identify environmental changes in the scene over time.

Project duration and delivery: 6 weeks duration, 36 hours per week. The applicant can be on-site at the Indooroopilly Mine Site or a hybrid option is available.

Expected outcomes and deliverables: The applicant will have the opportunity to learn about and engage with satellite (Landsat) remote sensing data and develop literature research skills to be able to assess what is state-of-the-art. They will also apply their programming knowledge to solve a real-world problem and use a GIS software environment to display and analyse results. The project will end with an oral presentation summary. Depending on the outcomes of the project, there may be an opportunity for the research and the applicant to be included in a publication.

Suitable for: Suitable for UQ enrolled students with programming skills in Python or R+ together with basic mathematical understanding, equivalent to Year 12 Math Methods, or a 1st Year undergraduate math unit as part of a broader degree. The ideal applicant will have a basic understanding of remote sensing and GIS.

Primary Supervisor: Associate Professor Steven Micklethwaite

Further information: Interested applicants may contact Associate Professor Steven Micklethwaite to discuss this project in more detail if desired, but this is not a requirement.

Mineral separation is a fundamental process in the mining and resource industries, essential for extracting valuable minerals. The effectiveness of these separation techniques directly influences resource recovery, environmental impact, and the overall economic feasibility of operations. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations have emerged as a key tool in understanding the intricate hydrodynamics of mineral separation equipment. By modelling the multiphase system involving fluids and particles, CFD enables a deeper understanding of these complex processes, paving the way for enhanced separation efficiency.

This project is a crucial element of a broader research effort led by the CFD team, focused on harnessing advanced simulation techniques to thoroughly evaluate and optimise various mineral separation technologies. The scope includes an array of equipment such as Conventional Flotation Cell, Reflux Classifier, Teeter Bed Separator, High Voltage Pulse Comminution Device, and HydroFloat System. Guided by a team of expert CFD modellers and researchers, the applicant will engage in setting up and executing simulations, followed by a thorough analysis and interpretation of the results. The project’s objective is to perform a comparative evaluation of how different equipment designs and operational settings influence the hydrodynamics and efficiency of a selected mineral separation device, thereby advancing the development and optimisation of separation technologies.

Project duration and delivery: 6 weeks duration, 36 hours per week. The applicant will need to be on-site at the Indooroopilly Mine Site for the duration of the project.

Expected outcomes and deliverables:  The project provides a distinct opportunity for the applicant to deepen their understanding of the principles and hydrodynamics that underpin mineral separation devices. Throughout the project, the applicant will develop valuable skills in CFD modelling, simulation software, and data analysis. Furthermore, there will be opportunities to contribute to research publications, with an expectation to produce a written report or deliver an oral presentation summarising their findings.

Suitable for: Suitable for UQ enrolled students with a background in engineering or science that have a keen interest in computational science and research.

Primary Supervisor:  Dr Dion Weatherley

Further information: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Dion Weatherley via email or T +61 7 3365 5825, M +61 400 006 414 to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application.

Fresh water is substantially utilised as an ideal flotation media in the froth flotation process. However, the mining sector is impelled to save on the consumption of fresh water and reduce waste discharge owing to limited freshwater supply, stringent environmental regulations and the increase in water demand among multiple users. To improve water efficiency, the recycling of process water is executed from tailings dams, thickener overflows, and dewatering and filtration units. However, recycled process waters have been found to exhibit inorganic and organic residues that influence the flotation efficiency.

This project aims to investigate the impact of organic residues in recycled process waters on the flotation performance of valuable minerals. The project with involve laboratory flotation test work aligned to water chemistry research studies and other specific tasks. 

Duration and delivery: 6 weeks duration, 36 hours per week. The applicant will need to be on-site at the Indooroopilly Mine Site for the duration of the project.

Expected outcomes and deliverables: Applicants may gain an understanding of the importance of the froth flotation process in mining, the impact of water chemistry in the flotation process and the value of recycling water in flotation waters. Applicants will investigate the need for wastewater treatment to be used for recycle streams, gain skills in carrying out flotation test work and any work related to water chemistry as it pertains to the froth flotation process, data collection, data analysis. They will be involved in specific tasks and may have an opportunity to generate publications from their research.  Applicants may also be asked to produce a report or oral presentation at the end of their project.

Suitable for: Suitable for UQ enrolled students with a background in chemical engineering or mining engineering or chemistry or uban water engineering.

Primary Supervisor: Dr Susana Brito e Abreu

Further information: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Susana Brito e Abreu to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application.

Effective flotation techniques require processing feed materials within a specific fine size range in mineral processing, necessitating intense comminution processes. Comminution, one of the most energy-intensive operations, accounts for a significant portion of mining operating costs and contributes to increased carbon emissions. Therefore, reducing energy consumption in comminution processes is crucial to mitigate the industry’s environmental impact.

Developing new equipment like the HydroFloat®, a fluidised bed separator designed for coarse particle flotation, presents opportunities for early waste rejection in processing circuits, enhancing liberation and reducing energy-intensive grinding requirements. However, limited research exists on the chemical factors influencing performance in this new hydrodynamic environment, especially regarding bubble size and bubble surface area flux determination. These are essential for optimising operations and fast-tracking implementation across various commodities globally.

Developing an understanding of how to control bubble size and surface area flux in HydroFloat®'s unique hydrodynamic environment is essential for enhancing unit operation and control. Implementing such methodologies will support equipment utilisation across various commodities, reduce global energy consumption for grinding, and mitigate the mining industry's environmental impact on the greenhouse effect.

Aim: 

Producing a significant volume of high-quality images for bubble identification and analysis using MATLAB code. The analysis will provide insights into the types of bubbles present in the process, their sizes, distribution, and volumes. Collecting this data will aid in understanding the relationship between chemical and hydrodynamic parameters and their effect on bubble coalescence and surface area flux.

Approach:

• Gain knowledge of the fundamental principles of the flotation process, with a focus on coarse particle flotation.
• Participate in a laboratory visit and receive hands-on training in using a range of laboratory equipment.
• Recognise the broader significance of coarse particle flotation technology in promoting sustainable mineral resource management and improving mining industry practices.
• Utilise the MATLAB code extensively for data analysis and interpretation.
• Collaborate with professionals from diverse fields to tackle complex challenges in mineral processing, fostering interdisciplinary approaches.

Duration and delivery: 6 weeks duration, 36 hours per week. The project will be on-site at the Indooroopilly Mine Site however a hybrid arrangement is possible if required for several days over the duration of the placement.

Expected outcomes and deliverables: The project will yield high-quality bubble analysis data from images received using a MATLAB code developed specifically for on-site purposes. Applicants will be asked to produce a report containing all the collected data.

Suitable for: Suitable for UQ enrolled 3^rd - 4^th year students only from the Chemical Engineering School. This project will require diligence and patience due to the high number of repetitive task involved in analysing the bubble images. A basic knowledge of MATLAB is beneficial.

Primary Supervisors: Dr Unzile Arslan Yenial and Anna Skliar

Further information: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Anna Skliar to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application.

The global demand for minerals and metals, especially copper and gold, has been on the rise and is expected to continue increasing in the coming decades. According to Batterham (2017), the demand in 2050 is projected to be double that of 2015. However, the quality of these deposits is declining; they are often found at greater depths, within harder rock matrices, of lower grade, and with more complex, finer-grained, and disseminated mineralogy. Consequently, the costs associated with processing these deposits to extract valuable metals have risen and will likely continue to rise unless innovative cost-reduction technologies are developed and implemented.

Comminution, the process of reducing solid materials from one average particle size to a smaller one through crushing, grinding, cutting, vibrating, or other methods, faces significant challenges with future ores. Currently, comminution is the most energy-intensive process in mineral operations. This energy demand will only increase as ores become harder and feature more disseminated, finer-grained, and complex mineralogies that require finer grinding, thereby consuming more energy for effective separation. High Voltage Pulse (HVP) technology offers a selective comminution process designed to reduce the energy required to liberate valuable materials, facilitating their separation and subsequent extraction.

HVP comminution utilises electrical energy applied directly to ore fragments to selectively break particles containing metalliferous mineral grains. Over the past 15 years, the JKMRC has conducted extensive research into HVP electrical comminution technology, establishing itself as a leader in the field. The research team has identified and explored three major applications for the mining industry:

• Pre-weakening: HVP generates cracks and microcracks that pre-weakens ore particles, enhancing energy efficiency in downstream comminution circuits or increasing throughput within a specific comminution design.
• Pre-concentration: HVP's selectivity enables early gangue rejection, reducing the economic cut-off grade and effectively turning waste into ore.
• Enhanced Liberation: HVP preferentially liberates minerals, improving recovery rates in downstream separation processes and potentially enabling the viability of alternative separation technologies, such as coarse particle flotation.

Research to date suggests that HVP holds significant potential to address many current and future challenges in mineral processing, with the potential to be a game-changer in the industry. However, barriers to industrial adoption of HVP technology remain, including the challenge of economical scale-up. Recent advancements at the JKMRC have led to the development of a continuous HVP system integrating a patented electrode concept (electrode-grizzly) that facilitates scaling up the technology to meet the high throughputs required by the mining industry.

Aims:

This project aims to use the continuous HVP system to pretreat an ore sample with the aim of:

1. Evaluating the ore’s amenability to HVP by measuring its preconcentration and preweakening potential
2. Comparing HVP pretreated sample to conventional mechanical treated sample
3. Correlating the observed results to the ore’s mineralogy

This project is industry-focused and sponsored, with the potential for practical industrial applications.

Duration and delivery: 6 weeks duration, 36 hours per week. The applicant will need to be on-site at the Indooroopilly Mine Site for the duration of the project.

Expected outcomes and deliverables: The applicant will be working with experienced researchers and a PhD Student on this project. It is envisaged that the applicant will gain an appreciation of High Voltage Pulse Technology, its application in the mining industry and, its potential optimisation. The applicant will gain valuable knowledge and experience in experimental, data analysis and, mineralogy from the planned work program. Other expected learnings include exposure to the mining industry and training on a variety of sample preparation equipment and analysis tools. They will also gain experience in developing and executing experimental plans and methodologies together with hands-on experience with the operation of the novel small-scale continuous HVP unit developed at the JKMRC. At the completion of the project, the applicant will be asked to produce a report and/or an oral presentation of their project. They will also have an opportunity to generate publications from their research work.

Suitable for: Suitable for UQ enrolled students with a background in mining, minerals processing or chemical engineering are preferred however this is not obligatory.

Primary Supervisor: Dr Christian Antonio

Further information: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Christian Antonio to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application

The global demand for minerals and metals, especially copper and gold, has been on the rise and is expected to continue increasing in the coming decades. According to Batterham (2017), the demand in 2050 is projected to be double that of 2015. However, the quality of these deposits is declining; they are often found at greater depths, within harder rock matrices, of lower grade, and with more complex, finer-grained, and disseminated mineralogy. Consequently, the costs associated with processing these deposits to extract valuable metals have risen and will likely continue to rise unless innovative cost-reduction technologies are developed and implemented.

Comminution, the process of reducing solid materials from one average particle size to a smaller one through crushing, grinding, cutting, vibrating, or other methods, faces significant challenges with future ores. Currently, comminution is the most energy-intensive process in mineral operations. This energy demand will only increase as ores become harder and feature more disseminated, finer-grained, and complex mineralogies that require finer grinding, thereby consuming more energy for effective separation. High Voltage Pulse (HVP) technology offers a selective comminution process designed to reduce the energy required to liberate valuable materials, facilitating their separation and subsequent extraction.

HVP comminution utilises electrical energy applied directly to ore fragments to selectively break particles containing metalliferous mineral grains. Over the past 15 years, the JKMRC has conducted extensive research into HVP electrical comminution technology, establishing itself as a leader in the field. The research team has identified and explored three major applications for the mining industry:

• Pre-weakening: HVP generates cracks and microcracks that pre-weakens ore particles, enhancing energy efficiency in downstream comminution circuits or increasing throughput within a specific comminution design.
• Pre-concentration: HVP's selectivity enables early gangue rejection, reducing the economic cut-off grade and effectively turning waste into ore.
• Enhanced Liberation: HVP preferentially liberates minerals, improving recovery rates in downstream separation processes and potentially enabling the viability of alternative separation technologies, such as coarse particle flotation.

Research to date suggests that HVP holds significant potential to address many current and future challenges in mineral processing, with the potential to be a game-changer in the industry. However, barriers to industrial adoption of HVP technology remain, including the challenge of economical scale-up. Recent advancements at the JKMRC have led to the development of a continuous HVP system integrating a patented electrode concept (electrode-grizzly) that facilitates scaling up the technology to meet the high throughputs required by the mining industry.

Aims:

This project aims to optimize the electrode-grizzly system by investigating several new design configurations. The project will focus on:

1. Assessing the effects of the electric-field distribution of these new design configuration using an FEM-based simulation software.
2. Evaluating the impacts on ore breakage, pre-concentration, and pre-weakening.
3. Developing/identifying new potential electrode-grizzly configurations to enhance the operation of the HVP process.

This project is industry-focused and sponsored, with the potential for practical industrial applications.

Project Duration & Delivery: 6 weeks duration, 36 hours per week. The applicant will need to be on-site at the Indooroopilly Mine Site for the duration of the project.

Expected outcomes and deliverables:  The applicant will be working with experienced researchers and a PhD Student on this project. It is envisaged that the applicant will gain an appreciation of High Voltage Pulse Technology, its application in the mining industry and, its potential optimisation. The applicant will learn valuable numerical simulation, experimental and data analysis skills from the planned work program. Other expected learnings include exposure to the mining industry and training on a variety of sample preparation equipment and analysis tools. They will also gain experience in developing and executing experimental plans and methodologies together with hands-on experience with the operation of the novel small-scale continuous HVP unit developed at the JKMRC. At the completion of the project, the successful applicant will be asked to produce a report and/or an oral presentation of their project. They will also have an opportunity to generate publications from their research work.

Suitable for: Suitable for UQ enrolled 3^rd - 4^th year students with a background in mining, minerals processing or chemical engineering are preferred however this is not obligatory.

Primary Supervisor: Dr Christian Antonio

Further information: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Christian Antonio to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application.

Project will involve reviewing incidents and literature to identify and map lifecycle and supply chain risks and circular economy impacts in a manner that facilitates comparative analysis between proposals.

Duration and delivery: 6 weeks duration, 36 hours per week. The project will involve meetings at UQ St Lucia Campus but work can be conducted remotely.

Expected outcomes and deliverables: Applicants will gain skills in systematic literature review, incident investigation analysis and report writing.

Suitable for: Suitable for UQ enrolled students who are interested in identifying, analysing and representing risk associated with emergency energy sources.This project will involve a lot of reading and coding or reports.

Primary Supervisors: Professor Maureen Hassall and Nyssa Nair

Further information: Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Nyssa Nair to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application.