Professor Peter Knights
Professor

Peter Knights

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53915

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

Resources engineering and extractive metallurgy

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.

Search Professor Peter Knights’s works on UQ eSpace

153 works between 1990 and 2024
All (153) Journal Article (75) Book Chapter (8) Conference Publication (68) Book (1) Edited Outputs (1)

21 - 40 of 153 works

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

A new mathematical formulation for underground cut-off grade determination in the presence of pre-concentration systems

2021

Journal Article

Progress toward zero entry mining: automation enabling safer, more efficient mining

Knights, Peter and Yeates, Gavin (2021). Progress toward zero entry mining: automation enabling safer, more efficient mining. IEEE Industrial Electronics Magazine, 15 (3), 32-38. doi: 10.1109/mie.2021.3070684

Progress toward zero entry mining: automation enabling safer, more efficient mining

2021

Journal Article

Cognitive biases and the cultural disconnect between engineers and decision-makers

Booker, Nigel, Gates, Jeffrey D. and Knights, Peter (2021). Cognitive biases and the cultural disconnect between engineers and decision-makers. Technium Social Sciences Journal, 17, 35-64. doi: 10.47577/tssj.v17i1.2752

Cognitive biases and the cultural disconnect between engineers and decision-makers

2020

Conference Publication

A new cut-off grade method to maximise resource utilisation of underground metalliferous mining operations

Sotoudeh, Farzad, Nehring, Micah, Kizil, Mehmet, Knights, Peter and Mousavi, Amin (2020). A new cut-off grade method to maximise resource utilisation of underground metalliferous mining operations. Preconcentration Digital Conference 2020, Online, 10-11, 17-18 November 2020.

A new cut-off grade method to maximise resource utilisation of underground metalliferous mining operations

2020

Journal Article

Production scheduling optimisation for sublevel stoping mines using mathematical programming: a review of literature and future directions

Sotoudeh, Farzad, Nehring, Micah, Kizil, Mehmet, Knights, Peter and Mousavi, Amin (2020). Production scheduling optimisation for sublevel stoping mines using mathematical programming: a review of literature and future directions. Resources Policy, 68 101809, 101809. doi: 10.1016/j.resourpol.2020.101809

Production scheduling optimisation for sublevel stoping mines using mathematical programming: a review of literature and future directions

2020

Journal Article

Integrated underground mining and pre-concentration systems; a critical review of technical concepts and developments

Sotoudeh, Farzad, Nehring, Micah, Kizil, Mehmet and Knights, Peter (2020). Integrated underground mining and pre-concentration systems; a critical review of technical concepts and developments. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 35 (3), 1-30. doi: 10.1080/17480930.2020.1782573

Integrated underground mining and pre-concentration systems; a critical review of technical concepts and developments

2020

Journal Article

The need for an internationally recognised standard for engineering failure analysis

Booker, Nigel K., Clegg, Richard E., Knights, Peter and Gates, J. D. (2020). The need for an internationally recognised standard for engineering failure analysis. Engineering Failure Analysis, 110 104357, 104357. doi: 10.1016/j.engfailanal.2019.104357

The need for an internationally recognised standard for engineering failure analysis

2020

Journal Article

Ultimate pit limit determination for fully mobile in-pit crushing and conveying systems

Hay, Edward, Nehring, Micah, Knights, Peter and Kizil, Mehmet S. (2020). Ultimate pit limit determination for fully mobile in-pit crushing and conveying systems. International Journal of Mining and Mineral Engineering, 10 (2-4), 111-130. doi: 10.1504/ijmme.2019.10026187

Ultimate pit limit determination for fully mobile in-pit crushing and conveying systems

2019

Conference Publication

Investigation of technical concepts and developments in implementation of pre-concentration technology in sublevel stope mines

Sotoudeh, Farzad, Nehring, Micah, Kizil, Mehmet and Knights, Peter (2019). Investigation of technical concepts and developments in implementation of pre-concentration technology in sublevel stope mines. Future Mining Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 19 - 20 November 2019.

Investigation of technical concepts and developments in implementation of pre-concentration technology in sublevel stope mines

2019

Journal Article

Determining the optimal orientation of ultimate pits for mines using fully mobile in-pit crushing and conveying systems

Hay, E., Nehring, M., Knights, P. and Kizil, M. S. (2019). Determining the optimal orientation of ultimate pits for mines using fully mobile in-pit crushing and conveying systems. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 119 (11), 949-956. doi: 10.17159/2411-9717/104-252-1/2019

Determining the optimal orientation of ultimate pits for mines using fully mobile in-pit crushing and conveying systems

2019

Journal Article

Short-term supply and demand of graduate mining engineers in Australia

Knights, Peter F. (2019). Short-term supply and demand of graduate mining engineers in Australia. Mineral Economics, 33 (1-2), 245-251. doi: 10.1007/s13563-019-00208-0

Short-term supply and demand of graduate mining engineers in Australia

2019

Journal Article

Ultimate pit limit determination for semi mobile in-pit crushing and conveying system: a case study

Hay, E., Nehring, M., Knights, P. and Kizil, M.S. (2019). Ultimate pit limit determination for semi mobile in-pit crushing and conveying system: a case study. International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment, 34 (7), 1-21. doi: 10.1080/17480930.2019.1639006

Ultimate pit limit determination for semi mobile in-pit crushing and conveying system: a case study

2019

Journal Article

A study of mining fatalities and coal price variation

Knights, P. and Scanlan, B. (2019). A study of mining fatalities and coal price variation. International Journal of Mining Science and Technology, 29 (4), 599-602. doi: 10.1016/j.ijmst.2019.06.016

A study of mining fatalities and coal price variation

2019

Conference Publication

The business case for zero entry mining

Knights, Peter and Yeates, Gavin (2019). The business case for zero entry mining. IEEE International Conference on Industrial Technology (IEEE ICIT 2019), Melbourne, VIC, Australia , 13-15 February 2019 . New York, NY, United States: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). doi: 10.1109/ICIT.2019.8754977

The business case for zero entry mining

2019

Conference Publication

Economic and environmental impacts of utilising a pre-concentration process in underground metal mining

Sotoudeh, Farzad, Nehring, Micah, Kizil, Mehmet and Knights, Peter (2019). Economic and environmental impacts of utilising a pre-concentration process in underground metal mining. 28th International Symposium on Mine Planning and Equipment Selection (MPES 2019), Perth, WA, Australia, 2-4 December 2019. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-33954-8_40

Economic and environmental impacts of utilising a pre-concentration process in underground metal mining

2019

Book Chapter

Configuration management — why asset management can’t do without it

Wilcock, Greg and Knights, Peter (2019). Configuration management — why asset management can’t do without it. Asset intelligence through integration and interoperability and contemporary vibration engineering technologies: Proceedings of the 12th World Congress on Engineering Asset Management and the 13th International Conference on Vibration Engineering and Technology of Machinery. (pp. 705-715) edited by Joseph Mathew, C. W. Lim, Lin Ma, Don Sands, Michael E. Cholette and Pietro Borghesani. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95711-1_69

Configuration management — why asset management can’t do without it

2019

Conference Publication

Ultimate pit limit determination for fully mobile in-pit crushing and conveying systems

Hay, Edward, Nehring, Micah, Knights, Peter and Kizil, Mehmet S. (2019). Ultimate pit limit determination for fully mobile in-pit crushing and conveying systems. 14th International Symposium of Continuous Surface Mining (ISCSM2018), Thessaloniki, Greece, 23-26 September 2018. Olney, Bucks, United Kingdom: Inderscience Publishers. doi: 10.1504/IJMME.2019.104444

Ultimate pit limit determination for fully mobile in-pit crushing and conveying systems

2018

Journal Article

Potential of on-board energy recovery systems to reduce haulage costs over the life of a deep surface mine

Terblanche, Petrus J., Kearney, Michael P., Nehring, Micah and Knights, Peter F. (2018). Potential of on-board energy recovery systems to reduce haulage costs over the life of a deep surface mine. Mining Technology, 128 (1), 51-64. doi: 10.1080/25726668.2018.1554933

Potential of on-board energy recovery systems to reduce haulage costs over the life of a deep surface mine

2018

Conference Publication

Selection of precision surface mining methods for complex metalliferous orebodies

Knights, P. F., Kizil, M. S. and Nehring, M. (2018). Selection of precision surface mining methods for complex metalliferous orebodies. Complex Orebodies Conference 2018, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 19-21 November 2018. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Selection of precision surface mining methods for complex metalliferous orebodies

2018

Journal Article

IPCC a real alternative

Nehring, M., Knights, P. F., Kizil, M. S. and Hay, E. (2018). IPCC a real alternative. Coal International, 266 (4), 28-39.

IPCC a real alternative

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Development of machine health indicators RUL algorithms and intervention actions for select Cat793C components
    PT Bukit Teknologi Digital
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2028
    ARC Training Centre for Innovative Composites for the Future of Sustainable Mining Equipment (ARC ITRP administered by the University of Wollongong)
    University of Wollongong
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Research Services to Elaborate a Road Map for the Mine Design 4 ESG Initiative
    Anglo American Technical & Sustainability Services
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Loadscan White Paper
    Loadscan Australia Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Tyre Handler Testing Rig Stage 2: Lifting guidelines
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Design, construction and commissioning of a skid-mounted tyre handler testing rig
    Australian Coal Research Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Design optimisation of Cascade Australia's Tyre handler
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Trail of Dragline Chain Innovation, Stage 3: Hoist Chain Site Trial and Cost/Benefit Analysis
    Cast Equipment & Chain Products Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Product innovation project: cascade tyre handler
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2014
    True triaxial cell for advanced testing of porous media
    UQ Major Equipment and Infrastructure
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2014
    CRC Mining ongoing funding
    Cooperative Research Centre for Mining
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Peter Knights is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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