Overview
Background
Prof Peter Knights’ research interests are in: engineering asset management, mine maintenace and systems engineering applied to mine safety and mine planning.
Professor Knights is Discipline Lead for Mining within the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering..
From 2006-2015 he held the BMA Chair in Mining Enginereing with the University of Queensland. From 1996 to 2004 he was employed as an Assistant Professor with the Faculty of Engineering of the Catholic University of Chile, based in Santiago, Chile. He was subsequently named as Associate Professor and Canadian Chair in Mining. Peter holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering for the University of Melbourne, Australia, a Masters degree in Systems Engineering from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and a Ph.D. in Mining Engineering from McGill University, Canada.
His recent work has focussed on incorporating ESG concerns into early stage mine planning and electrification systems for decarbonising mine haulage. He has a number of publications in prestigious international journals such as the Journal for Quality in Maintenance Engineering and the Journal of Reliability Engineering and System Safety.
Capability areas
- Asset management and mine maintenance
- Incorporating ESG into eary styage mine design
- Systems safety.
Availability
- Professor Peter Knights is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, University of Melbourne
- Masters (Coursework) of Engineering, University of Melbourne
- Doctor of Philosophy, McGill University
Research impacts
Prof. Knights has an extensive history of research collaboration with industry. In Chile, Prof Knights produced a series of pioneering papers that applied statistical cost modelling to quantify unscheduled/scheduled maintenance ratios for mobile mining equipment. He developed the Jack-knife approach for classifying chronic unplanned maintenance downtime events, now incorporated into GE Wabtec’s APS software which is in regular use by a number of large mining companies. Whilst Program Leader for the Smart Mining Systems group for CRCMining (2005-2014) Prof. Knights led the development of ValueTree software that was later adopted for use by Rio Tinto Iron Ore and is now available as a software product from Concerto Analytics. Prof. Knights also led a team evaluating the use of fully mobile in-pit crushing conveyor systems (FMIPCC) in large surface mines. This includes the development of an integrated Time Usage Model and a novel algorithm for determining ultimate pit limits for metalliferous mines employing FMIPCC systems. More recently, his work has focused on how to incoporate ESG concerns into easrly stage mine planning and safety improvements related to wheel and tyre handling for mining haul trucks, a leading cause of fatalities and accidents in surface mining.
Works
Search Professor Peter Knights’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Journal Article
The effect of stope size and cut-off grade on the design and scheduling of an underground mining operation in the presence of a pre-concentration system
Sotoudeh, Farzad, Nehring, Micah, Kizil, Mehmet, Knights, Peter and Mousavi, Amin (2024). The effect of stope size and cut-off grade on the design and scheduling of an underground mining operation in the presence of a pre-concentration system. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/17480930.2024.2387989
2024
Journal Article
A Systems Engineering Approach to Incorporate ESG Risks and Opportunities in Early-Stage Mine Design and Planning
Nehring, Micah and Knights, Peter (2024). A Systems Engineering Approach to Incorporate ESG Risks and Opportunities in Early-Stage Mine Design and Planning. Mining, 4 (3), 546-566. doi: 10.3390/mining4030031
2024
Journal Article
Energy Consumption and Battery Size of Battery Trolley Electric Trucks in Surface Mines
Bao, Haiming, Knights, Peter, Kizil, Mehmet and Nehring, Micah (2024). Energy Consumption and Battery Size of Battery Trolley Electric Trucks in Surface Mines. Energies, 17 (6) 1494, 1-23. doi: 10.3390/en17061494
2024
Journal Article
Developing a digital twin for a laboratory ball mill operation – a step towards mining metaverse
Qu, Juncong, Kizil, Mehmet S., Yahyaei, Mohsen and Knights, Peter F. (2024). Developing a digital twin for a laboratory ball mill operation – a step towards mining metaverse. Mining Technology: Transactions of the Institutions of Mining and Metallurgy, 133 (1), 1-14. doi: 10.1177/25726668231222990
2024
Journal Article
Productivity estimation of battery trolley mining truck fleets
Bao, Haiming, Knights, Peter, Kizil, Mehmet and Nehring, Micah (2024). Productivity estimation of battery trolley mining truck fleets. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 38 (2), 144-166. doi: 10.1080/17480930.2023.2278013
2023
Journal Article
A new mathematical programming formulation for production scheduling optimisation of sublevel stoping operations in the presence of pre-concentration systems
Sotoudeh, Farzad, Nehring, Micah, Kizil, Mehmet, Knights, Peter and Mousavi, Amin (2023). A new mathematical programming formulation for production scheduling optimisation of sublevel stoping operations in the presence of pre-concentration systems. Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, 40 (6), 2255-2267. doi: 10.1007/s42461-023-00843-w
2023
Journal Article
Environmental, social, and governance considerations in production scheduling optimisation for sublevel stoping mining operations: a review of relevant works and future directions
Ullah, G. M. Wali, Nehring, Micah, Kizil, Mehmet and Knights, Peter (2023). Environmental, social, and governance considerations in production scheduling optimisation for sublevel stoping mining operations: a review of relevant works and future directions. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, 40 (6), 2167-2182. doi: 10.1007/s42461-023-00869-0
2023
Journal Article
Digital twins in the minerals industry – a comprehensive review
Qu, Juncong, Kizil, Mehmet S., Yahyaei, Mohsen and Knights, Peter F. (2023). Digital twins in the minerals industry – a comprehensive review. Mining Technology, 132 (4), 267-289. doi: 10.1080/25726668.2023.2257479
2023
Conference Publication
Road map for incorporating ESG risks and opportunities into the mine planning and design process
Leiva, Orlando, Nehring, Micah, Knights, Peter, Dzakpata, Isaac and Perkins, Bridget (2023). Road map for incorporating ESG risks and opportunities into the mine planning and design process. 26th World Mining Congress, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 26-29 June 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
A review of low emissions mining systems options for large surface mines
Bao, Haiming, Knights, Peter, Kizil, Mehmet and Nehring, Micah (2023). A review of low emissions mining systems options for large surface mines. 26th World Mining Congress, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 26 - 29 June 2023. South Brisbane, QLD, Australia: ICMS Australasia.
2023
Journal Article
Economic benefits of load volume scanning of underground mining trucks
Knights, P. and Reuter, M. (2023). Economic benefits of load volume scanning of underground mining trucks. CIM Journal, 14 (3), 185-191. doi: 10.1080/19236026.2023.2186642
2023
Journal Article
Electrification alternatives for open pit mine haulage
Bao, Haiming, Knights, Peter, Kizil, Mehmet and Nehring, Micah (2023). Electrification alternatives for open pit mine haulage. Mining, 3 (1), 1-25. doi: 10.3390/mining3010001
2022
Journal Article
The effect of carbon tax and optimal slope profiles on profitability and emissions of open pit mines
Agosti, Andrea, Utili, Stefano, Tasker, James, Zhang, Chao, Knights, Peter, Nehring, Micah and Zia, Soab (2022). The effect of carbon tax and optimal slope profiles on profitability and emissions of open pit mines. Mining Technology: Transactions of the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 132 (1), 1-16. doi: 10.1080/25726668.2022.2122336
2022
Conference Publication
A novel methodology to implement carbon tax and optimal slope profiles into strategic open-pit optimization
Agostia, A., Utilia, S., Taskera, J., Zhanga, C., Knights, P., Nehring, M. and Ziad, S. (2022). A novel methodology to implement carbon tax and optimal slope profiles into strategic open-pit optimization. CIM Convention 2022, Vancouver, Canada, 1-4 May 2022.
2022
Journal Article
Applying principal component analysis (PCA) to the selection of forensic analysis methodologies
Booker, Nigel K., Knights, Peter, Gates, J. D. and Clegg, Richard E. (2022). Applying principal component analysis (PCA) to the selection of forensic analysis methodologies. Engineering Failure Analysis, 132 105937, 105937. doi: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2021.105937
2022
Journal Article
Objective selection of forensic analysis methodologies
Booker, Nigel K., Knights, Peter, Gates, Jeffrey D., Clegg, Richard E. and Woodhouse, John (2022). Objective selection of forensic analysis methodologies. Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention, 22 (1), 241-258. doi: 10.1007/s11668-021-01297-2
2021
Conference Publication
Application of use case modelling to achieve safe, efficient mining equipment automation
Tong, W. X., Knights, P., Phillips, T., Kizil, M. and Nehring, M. (2021). Application of use case modelling to achieve safe, efficient mining equipment automation. Fifth International Future Mining Conference 2021, Perth, WA, Australia, 6 - 8 December 2020. Carlton, VIC, Australia: AusIMM.
2021
Journal Article
A scale model experimental study for estimating the productivity of bulk push dozer operations in hard rock mining
Rea, Royal, Knights, Peter and Kizil, Mehmet (2021). A scale model experimental study for estimating the productivity of bulk push dozer operations in hard rock mining. Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, 39 (1), 63-75. doi: 10.1007/s42461-021-00505-9
2021
Journal Article
A novel cut-off grade method for increasing the sustainability of underground metalliferous mining operations
Sotoudeh, Farzad, Nehring, Micah, Kizil, Mehmet, Knights, Peter and Mousavi, Amin (2021). A novel cut-off grade method for increasing the sustainability of underground metalliferous mining operations. Minerals Engineering, 172 107168, 107168. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2021.107168
2021
Journal Article
A new mathematical formulation for underground cut-off grade determination in the presence of pre-concentration systems
Sotoudeh, Farzad, Nehring, Micah, Kizil, Mehmet, Knights, Peter and Mousavi, Amin (2021). A new mathematical formulation for underground cut-off grade determination in the presence of pre-concentration systems. Natural Resources Research, 30 (5), 3241-3259. doi: 10.1007/s11053-021-09892-8
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Peter Knights is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improvement of overall asset performance through the adjustment of business processes using multidisciplinary dynamic performance indicators.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mohsen Yahyaei
-
Doctor Philosophy
Intelligent Systems for Evaluating the Energy Efficiency of IPCC Systems in Open Pit Mines
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil, Dr Micah Nehring
-
Doctor Philosophy
Revised Cave Mine Design for New and Emerging Technologies
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a smart spreader system
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Micah Nehring, Dr Tyson Phillips, Professor Ross McAree
-
Doctor Philosophy
Analysis of the effect of information flow and the application of theory of constraints to the mining value chain.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil, Dr Micah Nehring
-
Doctor Philosophy
Rock mass preconditioning methodology for block caving based on Petroleum state of the art methods
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ray Johnson, Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen
-
Doctor Philosophy
Large Scale Asset Procurement and Management
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Michael Heitzmann
-
Doctor Philosophy
A study of finance structure and financial performance of gold mining projects
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Micah Nehring
-
Doctor Philosophy
A Novel Hydro-Economic Modelling for Sustainable Mine Water Management
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Claire Cote, Dr Micah Nehring
-
Doctor Philosophy
A New Mathematical Optimisation Model for Fully Mobile In-pit Crushing and Conveying (FMIPCC) Systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Michael Forbes, Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil, Dr Micah Nehring
-
Doctor Philosophy
Production Scheduling Optimisation in Underground Mining Operations Using a Multi-objective Evolutionary Algorithm
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil, Dr Micah Nehring
-
Doctor Philosophy
Design of a framework to optimise the process of Post-Mined Land-Use planning
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Claire Cote, Dr Eleonore Lebre
Completed supervision
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
A study of the selection and rigour of forensic analysis methodology affecting the accuracy and expediency of the decision-making process.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Jeff Gates
-
2021
Master Philosophy
Analysis of bench excavation strategies and use case scenarios for shovel/hopper interaction in autonomous fully mobile in-pit crushing conveying systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil, Dr Micah Nehring, Dr Tyson Phillips
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Time Utilisation Modelling of Fully Mobile In-Pit Crushing and Conveying Systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati, Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil, Dr Micah Nehring
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
A Methodology for Determining the Reliability of Energetic Components fitted to Safety Critical Systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Italo Onederra
-
2016
Master Philosophy
Enhancing Mining Education through the use of a Scenario-based Virtual Reality Simulation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Integrated Models for Critical Spare Parts Management in Asset Intensive Industries.
Principal Advisor
-
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Analytical Methods for Improving Earthmover Tyre Performance
Principal Advisor
-
2012
Master Philosophy
Systems modelling of parallel conveyors in IPCC systems
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Integrating Econometrics Models in Real Option Valuation of Coal Mining Projects
Principal Advisor
-
2022
Doctor Philosophy
Production Scheduling Optimisation in Sublevel Stoping Mines Using Mathematical Programming in the Presence of Pre-Concentration Systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil, Dr Micah Nehring
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Achieving a Representation of Asset Data Conducive to Machine Learning driven Predictive Maintenance
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr David Hyland-Wood, Professor Ross McAree
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Technical and Economic Potential of Energy Recovery and Re-use on board Surface Mining Haul Trucks
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Micah Nehring
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Ultimate Pit Limit Determination for Fully Mobile In-Pit Crushing and Conveying Systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil, Dr Micah Nehring
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Development of a Strategic Mine Planning Method for Optimising a Grade Engineered Operation
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Micah Nehring
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
The Selection and Planning of Fully Mobile In-Pit Crushing and Conveying (FMIPCC) Mining Systems for Deep Open-Pit Metalliferous Application
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Development of an Advanced Data Analytics Model to Improve the Energy Efficiency of Haul Trucks in Surface Mines
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil, Associate Professor Saiied Aminossadati
-
2014
Master Philosophy
The Mining Rate in Open Pit Mine Planning
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Micah Nehring
-
2014
Doctor Philosophy
Designing complex organizations for success and survival: A dual-method approach for studying relationships between organizational structure, innovation and performance from an evolutionary perspective.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damian Hine
-
-
2011
Master Philosophy
Simulation of rock types in sedimentary deposits using the multiple-points method constrained by oriented paths
Associate Advisor
-
2011
Master Philosophy
Value Creation in Mining: An analysis of the business value chain
Associate Advisor
-
2011
Doctor Philosophy
Integrated Production Schedule Optimisation for Sublevel Stoping Mines
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil
-
2010
Doctor Philosophy
Mining of Shallow Water Coastal Mineral Sand Deposits: Dredge Mine Reconciliation.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil
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