Improving Mineral Processing Liberation Measurement by coupling X-Ray Tomography and 2D SEM Information

Mineral particle liberation is currently measured routinely by the mining industry using 2D SEM systems such as the Mineral Liberation Analyser (MLA) and QEMSCAN but these systems suffer from stereological bias. 3D X-ray micro-CT (XRT) does not suffer from this problem but accurate mineral identification is challenging. 
SMI JKMRC is seeking a PhD student to develop better methods of measuring mineral liberation. The hypothesis is that a better approach can be developed by coupling the information produced from the MLA and XRT systems. The aims are to: 
1. Develop improved methods of visualising, segmenting and quantifying the mineralogy of particle images collected by XRT using programs such as Dragon Fly and Matlab 
2. Evaluate whether 2D SEM information can improve mineral identification in the XRT images using Artificial Intelligence techniques
3. Evaluate whether 3D XRT liberation measurement can be used to develop or calibrate stereological corrections for 2D SEM information

The PhD student will be based at the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC), one of six centres within the Sustainable Mineral Institute of the University of Queensland.  The JKMRC is a world class provider of applied research in mineral processing and geometallurgy, and postgraduate education. It consists of a team of researchers with world class expertise in solving mining related problems and a track record of successfully mentoring postgraduate students.  JKMRC is based at the Indooroopilly University Experimental mine and has world class facilities, including a pilot plant, chemical laboratories, a workshop and a mineral characterisation facility.  
The PhD program is sponsored through an ARC Centre of Excellence (COEMinerals), a collaboration between 8 Australian Universities doing research to invent science-based, more-efficient ways to recover minerals. The PhD student, being a member of the centre, will have opportunities for involvement in annual conferences, centre training programs and mentorship from researchers from other Universities and the Mining Industry. 

This project is supported by the Research project scholarship.

Learn more about the Research project scholarship.

You must contact the principal supervisor for this project to discuss your interest. You should only complete the online application after you have reached agreement on supervision.

Always make sure you are approaching your potential supervisor in a professional way. We have provided some guidelines for you on how to contact a supervisor.

Your application will be assessed on a competitive basis.

We take into account your:

• previous academic record
• publication record
• honours and awards
• employment history.

A working knowledge of mineral characterisation using either MLA or X-ray tomography would be of benefit to someone working on this project.

You will demonstrate academic achievement in the fields of mathematics or engineering and the potential for scholastic success.

 A background or knowledge of mineral processing with an aptitude for programming and mathematical analysis is highly desirable. 

Before you apply

Before submitting an application you should:

1. check your eligibility for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
2. prepare your documentation
3. contact Associate Professor Kym Runge (k.runge@uq.edu.au) to discuss your interest and suitability
4. submit your application by 16 October, 2024 16 October, 2024.

When you apply

You apply for this scholarship when you submit an application for your program. You don’t need to submit a separate scholarship application.

In your application ensure that under the ‘Scholarships and collaborative study’ section you select:

• ‘My higher degree is not collaborative’
• ‘I am applying for, or have been awarded a scholarship or sponsorship'
• ‘Other’, then ‘Research Project Scholarship’ and in the ‘Name of scholarship’ field enter MINERAL-RUNGE.

Apply now