Summer and Winter Research Programs for Undergraduates
The Sustainable Minerals Institute offers a number of research projects to UQ-enrolled undergraduate students, through the UQ Summer and Winter Research programs. These projects will develop your analytical, critical thinking and communication skills, through research, while providing you with an opportunity to gain research experience working alongside some of the university's leading academics and researchers.
For details on how to apply for a project, please visit the UQ Summer & Winter Research Programs website.
Projects offered for Winter 2023:
Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry (CWiMI): The effect of fire on soil physio-chemical properties of Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone
Project title: | The effect of fire on soil physio-chemical properties of Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone |
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Project Duration & Delivery: | 4 weeks duration. Full-time onsite attendance at the UQ St Lucia Campus is required. |
Description: | This project will contribute to a large Sustainable Minerals Institute research project called “Fire resilience of Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone (THPSS)”. One of the objectives of that project is to develop understanding of the effect of fire and its severity on THPSS soil, hydrology and the post fire recovery process of these swamps. THPSS typically have a high resilience to fire at wet conditions, due to their usually high soil moisture, and ability to support rapid vegetation re-growth. However, THPSS of Sydney Basin overlie underground coal mining area that may affect hydrology of swamps due to an increase in swamp drainage. THPSS of Sydney Basin was severely affected by wildfires during the fire season 2019-2020. Most burnt swamps lost their surface organic matter layers (fibrous or spongy organic-rich detritus). In the most severely burnt swamps (very high or high burn severity burn class), the upper portion of the peat layers (called the alternating organic sands layer) also incinerated. Fires can alter soil physio-chemical properties. However, the effect of bushfires on THPSS that have been undermined is not understood. The applicant will work on the physical, chemical and hydrological analysis of pre- and post-fire soil samples collected from these swamps and develop an understanding of the effect of fire and its severity on THPSS soil and hydrology. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | The applicant will benefit from this project by being exposed to high-quality applied research in the mining context, and by potentially becoming a co-author in a manuscript to be published in an international journal. This project can be the start of a larger research project, such as Honours or PhD. |
Suitable for: | This project is open to students with an interest in soil physics, with strong laboratory skills and the ability and enthusiasm to learn and apply new equipment and tools. Ideal candidates would be Masters, 3rd or 4th year students of Soil, Environmental, Earth or Agricultural Sciences, or Civil/Environmental Engineering. |
Primary Supervisor: | |
Further information: | Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Mandana Shaygan to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application. |
Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC): Relationship of pyrite textures and composition on beneficiation processes
Project title: | Relationship of pyrite textures and composition on beneficiation processes |
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Project Duration & Delivery: | 4 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. |
Description: | The effect of pyrite elemental composition and textures on electrochemical properties and flotation behaviour have been extensively studied as individual factors in single mineral studies. However, little information exists on their combined influence, interdependences, or the effect of a texture prevalence within an ore on flotation. Pyrite textures are often identified; however, their abundance is rarely quantified, particularly for complex mineralogical systems. The research project will focus on investigating the relation between pyrite textures and their prevalence, mineralogical associations, elemental composition, and electrochemical properties on flotation performance of ore samples from Mount Isa. The project scope includes proposing a methodology for identifying and quantifying pyrite textures using image recognition analysis. This is an experimental project which includes detailed data analysis and interpretation. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | The applicants will develop a range of skills in conducting experiments and data analysis. Specifically, they will gain skills in flotation (including crushing, grinding, classification-sizing) and have an opportunity to work on image processing and data analysis. Knowledge of any programming language, preferably Matlab or Python, is desirable but not mandatory. At the completion of the project, the applicant will be asked to produce a report and/or an oral presentation of their project. |
Suitable for: | This project is open to applications from 3rd-4th year students with a background in mining, minerals processing or chemical engineering. |
Primary Supervisor: | Associate Professor Liza Forbes |
Further information: | https://smi.uq.edu.au/jkmrc-research/flotation-chemistry-group/pyrite-challenges-qld-ore-reserves-mine-tailings |
Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC): High Voltage Pulse Pre-treatment Technology – Ore Amenability Studies
Project title: | High Voltage Pulse Pre-treatment Technology – Ore Amenability Studies |
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Project Duration & Delivery: | 4 weeks duration. The applicant will need to be on-site at the Indooroopilly Mine Site for the duration of the project. |
Description: | BACKGROUND
Research so far has shown HVP has significant potential to address many current and future mineral processing challenges. Nonetheless, barriers remain to industrial uptake of the HVP technology. Fundamental knowledge gaps, around ore composition and amenability to HVP, and the optimum means of incorporating this technology and the benefits it provides, into mineral processing circuits exist. PROJECT: Ore Amenability Assessment To date most of the studies has been on sulphide ores but the technology has potential to be used for other commodities i.e. critical minerals, coal, iron, etc. The objective of this Project is to test the potential of using HVP treatment on a new ore sample and quantify any benefits gained in terms of pre-concentration and pre-weakening. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | The successful applicant will be working with researchers in the HVP group on this project. It is envisaged that the applicant will gain valuable experimental and data analysis skills from the work to be undertaken. These include:
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: | 3rd-4th year students with a background in mining, minerals processing or chemical engineering are preferred, however other applicants would be considered. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Christian Antonio Dr Daniel Lay |
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. |
Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC): Comminution modelling using advanced ore characterisation techniques
Project title: | Comminution modelling using advanced ore characterisation techniques |
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Project Duration & Delivery: | 4 weeks duration. The applicant will need to be on-site at the Indooroopilly Mine Site for the duration of the project. |
Description: | Current ore characterisation techniques have several disadvantages. These include, but are not limited to, a large sample mass and tedious sample preparation. The results from those techniques are useful only to certain comminution devices and are difficult to correlate to geological and geotechnical databases. The aim of this project is to use primary breakage properties derived from a new generation of comminution tests to model the comminution process in any device. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | Successful applicants will gain valuable data collecting and analysis skills and a detailed understanding of comminution modelling. At the completion of the project, a report on the project may be required. |
Suitable for: | This project is open to applicants with a background in science and engineering and with strong programming skills. |
Primary Supervisor: | Dr Conrad Ndimande Dr Marko Hilden |
Further information: | Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Conrad Ndimande to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application. |
Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC): Particle characterisation and breakage using impact and compression devices
Project title: | Particle characterisation and breakage using impact and compression devices |
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Project Duration & Delivery: | 4 weeks duration. The applicant will need to be on-site at the Indooroopilly Mine Site for the duration of the project. |
Description: | Following the particle characterisation, two laboratory devices will be applied to break particles under compression and impact. These devices are part of the new generation of instrumented breakage tests, which aims to offer a more accurate characterisation of the response of the rocks in the comminution process. The objective of this project is to assess whether the results from both tests can be related to each other. Different ore types and particle sizes will be tested in the laboratory. The experimental plan includes sample measurement of the particles (mass and dimensions), proper execution of the experiments, and analysis of the results. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | The University of Queensland’s Julius Kruttschnitt Minerals Research Centre is world-renowned for the development of novel rock breakage characterisation devices for the mining industry. The successful applicant will receive training in the safe use of breakage devices to conduct experimental investigations and gain skills in accurate data collection, analysis and reporting. They will be integrated into the research program of the JKMRC and learn more about mineralogy, minerals processing and rock mechanics. At the completion of the project, the applicant will be asked to produce a report on their project. |
Suitable for: | The project is well suited to engineering and/or geology students wishing to obtain experience in R&D procedures and practices for the mining industry. Self-motivation and willingness to learn new skills are essential. |
Primary Supervisor: | |
Further information: | Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Karina Barbosa to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application. |
Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC): Using photogrammetry for 3D modelling of rock piles
Project title: | Using photogrammetry for 3D modelling of rock piles |
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Project Duration & Delivery: | 4 weeks duration. Full-time onsite attendance at the Indooroopilly Mine Site is required. |
Description: | Photogrammetry is an analysis method for converting overlapping photographs of objects into a 3D digital model. This project aims test the accuracy of measuring the surface profile and volume of prepared rock piles using photogrammetry analysis. The applicant will prepare small rock piles of various shapes in the laboratory and photograph these from various angles. They will also evaluate and select a suitable photogrammetry software and use it to develop a 3D model of the pile. Finally, the applicant will compare these data against measured dimensions of the pile and report their findings. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | The applicant can expect to gain practical experience in applying photogrammetry and using it for remote measurement. They may be expected to write a brief report and present their work and findings to a technical audience at the JKMRC, in addition to their course requirements. |
Suitable for: | This project is open to UQ-enrolled engineering students. Python, Matlab or other programming skills is desirable. |
Primary Supervisor: | |
Further information: | Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Marko Hilden to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application. |
Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC): Evaluating the hydrophobicity of mineral particles and interaction with air bubbles
Project title: | Evaluating the hydrophobicity of mineral particles and interaction with air bubbles |
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Project Duration & Delivery: | 4 weeks duration. Full-time onsite attendance at the Indooroopilly Mine Site is required. |
Description: | In mineral processing, the valuable minerals are separated from the waste material by froth flotation. In this process, the mineral particles need to attach to air bubbles so that they are selectively recovered. The hydrophobicity, i.e., water-repellent properties, of the minerals plays a key role in the recovery process. This project aims to evaluate the hydrophobicity of various sulphide minerals that have been modified using novel reagent chemistries. The work involves laboratory work where the hydrophobicity of the minerals will be ascertained through induction time measurements of particle-bubble contact. In addition, the surface charge of the minerals will be measured through zeta potential measurements. The data collected will enable quantifying the effect of modifying the minerals with the novel reagent and comparing it with traditional reagents. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | The applicant will gain skills in performing experimental work, data collection and analysis of the properties of minerals in the mineral processing context. The applicant may have an opportunity to contribute to publications from their research outcomes and may also be asked to present their work and write a report at the end of the project. |
Suitable for: | This project is open to applications from students with a background in mining and mechanical engineering and/or metallurgical engineering who are enrolled at UQ. Students from engineering or science background in a relevant field may also apply. One student will be selected for this project. |
Primary Supervisor: | |
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. |
Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC): What can we learn from an AI-enabled comparative analysis of World Risk Poll findings and other credible risk publications?
Project title: | What can we learn from an AI-enabled comparative analysis of World Risk Poll findings and other credible risk publications? Designing Knowledge Graphs to Support Multi-Stakeholder Planning and Design |
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Project Duration & Delivery: | 4 weeks duration. Full-time onsite attendance at the UQ St Lucia Campus is required. |
Description: | An overwhelming amount of knowledge related to significant risks and related interventions, policies, guidelines, etc. is published as text. Due to the large and rapidly increasing amounts of literature, it is difficult to analyse by manually or by traditional statistical analysis. This project seeks to overcome this barrier using advanced AI and natural language processing to 1) retrieve unstructured information and 2) extract from relevant information on related to the risk perceptions collected by the world risk poll. It is expected that using advanced AI and natural language processing can reveal the risks that matter other information areas associated with the risks such as causes, impacts, measurement, and interventions (e.g. policies, guidelines, legislation, etc). The results of the analysis will be presented visually utilising so-called knowledge graphs. |
Expected outcomes and deliverables: | Applicants will gain skills in data collection and analysis and will have an opportunity to generate publications from their research. Students may also be asked to produce a report or oral presentation at the end of their project. |
Suitable for: | This project is open to applications from students with beginner or intermediate programming skills looking for an opportunity to develop their competences in machine learning methods, natural language processing, text representation techniques and/or data visualisation (knowledge graphs). |
Primary Supervisor: | |
Further information: | Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Nikodem Rybak to discuss this project in more detail, prior to submission of their online application. |
DATES
2023 Winter Research Program
4 weeks duration between
26 June 2023 - 21 July 2023
Applications open 20 March 2023
More Info from UQ Careers and Employability
Summer 2023/24 Research Program
TBA