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)

61 - 80 of 153 works

2015

Journal Article

Filling Up The Tank

De Francia, Matthew, Soofastaei, Ali, Aminossadati, Saiied, Kizil, Mehmet and Knights, Peter (2015). Filling Up The Tank. Australasian Mining Review, 2 (12), 56-57.

Filling Up The Tank

2015

Journal Article

Rolling resistance in Haul Truck operations

Adair, L., Soofastaei, A., Aminossadati, S. M., Kizil, M. S. and Knights, P. (2015). Rolling resistance in Haul Truck operations. Australian Mining, 107 (6)

Rolling resistance in Haul Truck operations

2015

Journal Article

Quantifying the benefits of simulator training for dragline operators

Dorey, F. and Knights, P. F. (2015). Quantifying the benefits of simulator training for dragline operators. Transactions of the Institutions of Mining and Metallurgy, Section A: Mining Technology, 124 (2), 97-106. doi: 10.1179/1743286315Y.0000000007

Quantifying the benefits of simulator training for dragline operators

2015

Journal Article

Conveyors vs Trucks

Knights, Peter (2015). Conveyors vs Trucks. Queensland Mining & Energy Bulletin, 23, 118-121.

Conveyors vs Trucks

2015

Conference Publication

The design of publicly funded R&D consortia: preliminary learnings from a longitudinal field-case study

Pinto, Pablo E., Knights, Peter and Hine, Damian (2015). The design of publicly funded R&D consortia: preliminary learnings from a longitudinal field-case study. DRUID15 Conference on the Relevance of Innovation, Rome, Italy, 15-17 June, 2015. Aalborg, Denmark: DRUID Society.

The design of publicly funded R&D consortia: preliminary learnings from a longitudinal field-case study

2015

Conference Publication

Selection and planning of fully mobile in-pit crusher and conveyor systems for deep open pit metalliferous applications

Dean, M., Knights, P., Kizil, M. S. and Nehring, M. (2015). Selection and planning of fully mobile in-pit crusher and conveyor systems for deep open pit metalliferous applications. AusIMM 2015 3rd International Future Mining Conference, Sydney, NSW, Australia, 4-6 Nov 2015. VIC, Australia: AusIMM.

Selection and planning of fully mobile in-pit crusher and conveyor systems for deep open pit metalliferous applications

2015

Conference Publication

Simulation of payload variance effects on truck bunching to minimise energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

Soofastaei, Ali, Aminossadati, Saiied Mostafa, Kizil, Mehmet Siddik and Knights, Peter (2015). Simulation of payload variance effects on truck bunching to minimise energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. 2015 Coal Operators’ Conference, Wollongong, NSW, Australia, 11-13 February 2015. Wollongong, NSW, Australia: The University of Wollongong.

Simulation of payload variance effects on truck bunching to minimise energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions

2015

Conference Publication

Optimization of Dragline Digging Sequence Using Genetic Algorithm

Liang, X., Knights, Peter and Jessett, A. (2015). Optimization of Dragline Digging Sequence Using Genetic Algorithm. International Symposium on the Application of Computers and Operation Research in the Minerals Industry (APCOM), Fairbanks, AK, United States, 23-27 May 2015. SME.

Optimization of Dragline Digging Sequence Using Genetic Algorithm

2015

Journal Article

Economic selection of surface mine haulage options

van Hest, D. and Knights, P. F. (2015). Economic selection of surface mine haulage options. MEA Journal of Research Project Review, 4 (1), 67-72.

Economic selection of surface mine haulage options

2014

Journal Article

Payload variance plays a critical role in the fuel consumption of mining haul trucks

Soofastaei, A., Aminossadati, S. M., Kizil, M. S. and Knights, P. (2014). Payload variance plays a critical role in the fuel consumption of mining haul trucks. Australian Resources and Investment, 8 (4), 64-64.

Payload variance plays a critical role in the fuel consumption of mining haul trucks

2014

Journal Article

A maturity scale for indigenous employment in the Australian minerals industry

Lucas, T. and Knights, P. (2014). A maturity scale for indigenous employment in the Australian minerals industry. Journal of Research Projects Review, 3 (1), 33-37.

A maturity scale for indigenous employment in the Australian minerals industry

2014

Conference Publication

Schemes of exploitation in open pit mining

Arteaga, Felipe, Nehring, Micah, Knights, Peter and Camus, Juan (2014). Schemes of exploitation in open pit mining. 22nd MPES Conference, Dresden, Germany, 14–19 October 2013. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-02678-7_126

Schemes of exploitation in open pit mining

2014

Journal Article

A decision-making framework to integrate maintenance contract conditions with critical spares management

Godoy, David R., Pascual, Rodrigo and Knights, Peter (2014). A decision-making framework to integrate maintenance contract conditions with critical spares management. Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 131, 102-108. doi: 10.1016/j.ress.2014.06.022

A decision-making framework to integrate maintenance contract conditions with critical spares management

2013

Journal Article

Modelling of In-Pit Crusher Conveyor alternatives

Londono, J. G., Knights, P. F. and Kizil, M. S. (2013). Modelling of In-Pit Crusher Conveyor alternatives. Mining Technology - Transactions of the Institutions of Mining and Metallurgy : Section A, 122 (4), 193-199. doi: 10.1179/1743286313Y.0000000048

Modelling of In-Pit Crusher Conveyor alternatives

2013

Journal Article

Critical spare parts ordering decisions using conditional reliability and stochastic lead time

Godoy, David R., Pascual, Rodrigo and Knights, Peter (2013). Critical spare parts ordering decisions using conditional reliability and stochastic lead time. Reliability Engineering and System Safety, 119, 199-206. doi: 10.1016/j.ress.2013.05.026

Critical spare parts ordering decisions using conditional reliability and stochastic lead time

2013

Journal Article

Integrated optimization of underground mine design and scheduling

Little, J., Knights, P. and Topal, E. (2013). Integrated optimization of underground mine design and scheduling. Journal of the Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, 113 (10), 775-785.

Integrated optimization of underground mine design and scheduling

2013

Conference Publication

Are safe mines reliable mines?

Knights, Peter (2013). Are safe mines reliable mines?. MANTEMIN 2013: 8º Encuentro Internacional de Mantenedores de Equipos Mina, Santiago, Chile, 4-6 September, 2013. Santiago, Chile: Gecamin.

Are safe mines reliable mines?

2013

Conference Publication

Are safe mines reliable mines?

Knights, Peter (2013). Are safe mines reliable mines?. MAPLA 2013: 10º Encuentro Internacional de Mantenedores de Plantas, Santiago, Chile, 4-6 September, 2013. Santiago, Chile: Gecamin.

Are safe mines reliable mines?

2013

Journal Article

Classifying dragline swing dependencies using coincident limit graphs.

Knights, P, Liang, X and Jessett, A (2013). Classifying dragline swing dependencies using coincident limit graphs.. Mining Technology, 122 (1), 46-52. doi: 10.1179/1743286312Y.0000000032

Classifying dragline swing dependencies using coincident limit graphs.

2013

Conference Publication

Grizzly modifications at Ridgeway Deeps Block Cave Mine

Costello, C. and Knights, P. (2013). Grizzly modifications at Ridgeway Deeps Block Cave Mine. Mining Education Australia (MEA) Student Conference, Kalgoorlie, WA, Australia, 12 October 2012. Carlton, VIC, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).

Grizzly modifications at Ridgeway Deeps Block Cave Mine

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

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