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)

121 - 140 of 153 works

2008

Conference Publication

A day in the life of a mine worker 2025

Bassan, J., Srinivasan, V., Knights, P. and Farrelly, C. (2008). A day in the life of a mine worker 2025. First International Future Mining Conference & Exhibition 2008, Sydney, Australia, 19-21 November 2008. Victoria, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy.

A day in the life of a mine worker 2025

2008

Conference Publication

Production drill optimisation at telfer underground - A move towards automation

Adams, H., Boniwell, P. and Knights, P. (2008). Production drill optimisation at telfer underground - A move towards automation. Tenth AusIMM Underground Operators' Conference, Tasmania, Australia, 14-16 April 2008. Carlton, Vic. Australia: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Production drill optimisation at telfer underground - A move towards automation

2008

Conference Publication

The application of advanced analytics in mining: safer, smarter, sustainable operations

Bassan, J. and Knights, P. F. (2008). The application of advanced analytics in mining: safer, smarter, sustainable operations. Australian Mining Technology Conference, Sunshine Coast, QLD Australia, 16-18 September 2008. Victoria, Australia: The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

The application of advanced analytics in mining: safer, smarter, sustainable operations

2007

Conference Publication

A risk management methodology for coal resources/reserves evaluation

Li, S., Valenzuela, P. and Knights, P. (2007). A risk management methodology for coal resources/reserves evaluation. 2007 Australian Mining Technology Conference, The Vines, Western Australia, 2-4 October, 2007. Melbourne, Victoria: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

A risk management methodology for coal resources/reserves evaluation

2007

Conference Publication

An approach to map geotechnical uncertainty in Longwall Coal Operations

Valenzuela, P., Li, S. and Knights, P. (2007). An approach to map geotechnical uncertainty in Longwall Coal Operations. 2007 Australian Mining Technology Conference, The Vines, Western Australia, 2-4 October, 2007. Melbourne, Victoria: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

An approach to map geotechnical uncertainty in Longwall Coal Operations

2007

Conference Publication

Optimal replacement intervals for Shovel Dipper Teeth

Knights, P. (2007). Optimal replacement intervals for Shovel Dipper Teeth. 2007 Australian Mining Technology Conference, The Vines, Western Australia, 2-4 October, 2007. Melbourne, Victoria: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Optimal replacement intervals for Shovel Dipper Teeth

2007

Conference Publication

Spatial variability of shovel dig performance

Halatchev R.A. and Knights P.F. (2007). Spatial variability of shovel dig performance. doi: 10.1080/17480930701352933

Spatial variability of shovel dig performance

2007

Book Chapter

CRCMining: Un Modelo para la investigación colaborativa en la industria de minería

Knights, P. and Hood, M. (2007). CRCMining: Un Modelo para la investigación colaborativa en la industria de minería. Innovacion en mineria. (pp. 181-192) edited by G. Lagos. Santiago, Chile: Ediciones universidad Catolica De Chile.

CRCMining: Un Modelo para la investigación colaborativa en la industria de minería

2006

Journal Article

Building business cases for maintenance improvement

Knights, Peter, Jullian, Felipe and Jofre, Luis (2006). Building business cases for maintenance improvement. AusIMM Bulletin (6)

Building business cases for maintenance improvement

2006

Conference Publication

Short-term shovel sequence optimization - Problem definition and initial solution

Knights, P. and Li, S. (2006). Short-term shovel sequence optimization - Problem definition and initial solution. 2006 Australian Mining Technology Conference "Value through cost control", Hunter Valley, NSW, Australaia, 26-27 September 2006. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Short-term shovel sequence optimization - Problem definition and initial solution

2006

Conference Publication

Building business cases for maintenance improvement projects

Knights, P., Julian, F. and Jofre, L. (2006). Building business cases for maintenance improvement projects. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Building business cases for maintenance improvement projects

2006

Edited Outputs

2006 Australian Mining Technology Conference "Value through cost control "

M. Hood, P. J. A. Lever and P. Knights eds. (2006). 2006 Australian Mining Technology Conference "Value through cost control ". 2006 Australian Mining Technology Conference "Value through cost control", Hunter Valley, NSW, Australaia, 26-27 September, 2006. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

2006 Australian Mining Technology Conference "Value through cost control "

2006

Conference Publication

Benchmark drill and blast and mechanical excavation advance rates for underground hard-rock mine development

Stewart, P. C., Ramezanzadeh, A. and Knights, P. (2006). Benchmark drill and blast and mechanical excavation advance rates for underground hard-rock mine development. 2006 Australian Mining Technology Conference, Hunter Valley, NSW, 26-27 September 2006. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Benchmark drill and blast and mechanical excavation advance rates for underground hard-rock mine development

2006

Conference Publication

Building business cases for maintenance improvement projects

Knights, P., Jullian, F. and Jofre, L. (2006). Building business cases for maintenance improvement projects. International Mine Management Conference 2006, Melbourne, Australia, 16-18 October, 2006. Melbourne, Victoria: The Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Building business cases for maintenance improvement projects

2006

Journal Article

Downtime priorities, Jack-knife diagrams and the business cycle

Knights, Peter F. (2006). Downtime priorities, Jack-knife diagrams and the business cycle. Maintenance and Asset Management, 19 (4), 21-28.

Downtime priorities, Jack-knife diagrams and the business cycle

2006

Conference Publication

Geostatistical modelling of shovel performance using real-time monitoring data

Halatchev, R. A. and Knights, P. (2006). Geostatistical modelling of shovel performance using real-time monitoring data. 2006 Australian Mining Technology Conference:'Value through cost control', Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia, 26-27 September 2006. Melbourne, Victoria, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Geostatistical modelling of shovel performance using real-time monitoring data

2005

Journal Article

Best-in-class maintenance benchmarks in Chilean open pit mines

Knights, P. F. and Oyanader, P. (2005). Best-in-class maintenance benchmarks in Chilean open pit mines. The CIM Bulletin, 98 (1088), 93-93.

Best-in-class maintenance benchmarks in Chilean open pit mines

2005

Conference Publication

Assessing the Size of the Prize: Developing business cases for maintenance improvement projects

Knights, P., Jullian, F. and Jofre, L. (2005). Assessing the Size of the Prize: Developing business cases for maintenance improvement projects. 2005 Australian Mining Technology Conference: New technologies to produce more with less, Freemantle, Western Australia, 27-28 September 2005. Carlton, Victoria, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Assessing the Size of the Prize: Developing business cases for maintenance improvement projects

2005

Conference Publication

The Reliability Improvement Diamond (RID): A Proven, Pragmatic Approach for Applying RCM in Plant with Operating Histories

Knights, P. F. and Luoit, D. (2005). The Reliability Improvement Diamond (RID): A Proven, Pragmatic Approach for Applying RCM in Plant with Operating Histories. 9th International Conference Maintenance Societies ICOMS-2005, Hobart, Tasmania, 31 May - 2 June 2005.

The Reliability Improvement Diamond (RID): A Proven, Pragmatic Approach for Applying RCM in Plant with Operating Histories

2004

Journal Article

Determining return on investment of maintenance projects using statistical cost modeling

Knights, P. F., Louit, D. and Lay, A. (2004). Determining return on investment of maintenance projects using statistical cost modeling. Mining Engineering, 56 (8), 33-39.

Determining return on investment of maintenance projects using statistical cost modeling

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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