Overview
Background
Associate Professor Parbhakar-Fox is a Principal Research Fellow in Mine Waste Geoscience at the W.H Bryan Mining and Geology Research Centre within the Sustainable Minerals Institute. She is the founding leader of Australia's premier secondary prospectivity research group- Mine Waste Transformation through Characterisation (MIWATCH). Associate Professor Parbhakar-Fox is also a deputy director in the Critical Resources for the Future ARC ITTC (collaborating with UWA, ANU and UoA).
Associate Professor Parbhakar-Fox's research is focussed on mine waste characterisation to improve mine planning and waste management practices. , Associate Professor Parbhakar-Fox has worked with mining industry, METS sector and government stakeholders. Associate Professor Parbhakar-Fox has developed new tests and protocols for improving waste characterisation and has led projects looking for innovative solutions to remediate abandoned/ historical mine sites. Most recently, Associate Professor Parbhakar-Fox has led major government and industry funded projects characterising a range of mine waste materials to evaluate their economic potential in the context of critical metals.
Before completing her PhD in 2012 at the Centre for Ore Deposit and Earth Sciences (CODES), Anita obtained a 1st class MSc (Hons) degree from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College (University of London) in Environmental Geology (2005). Professionally, she has worked as an environmental consultant (2005-06) and as a research assistant for the AMIRA P843 geometallurgy project (2006-07). She worked part-time as a Junior Research Fellow for the Cooperative Research Centre for Optimising Resource Extraction (CRC ORE; 2011-2012) and then went on to become a postdoctoral research fellow in the Environmental Indicators program (2012-2015). Next, Anita was appointed as a postdoctoral research fellow for the ARC TMVC Research Hub (2015-2019) where she serves as the deputy leader of Theme 3 (minimising geoenvironmental risks) and the leader (2016-2018) of Program 2 (Geometallurgy, Geoenvironment and Mining) at CODES.
Availability
- Associate Professor Anita Parbhakar-Fox is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Tasmania
Research interests
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Geometallurgy
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Environmental Geochemistry
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Mineralogy
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Solid waste management
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Tailings and slag characterisation
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Drill core characterisation
Research impacts
Industry, Government and Service
Associate Professor Parbhakar-Fox has regular contact with mineral companies, state government and geoenvironmental consultancies to develop and undertake research projects focussed on improving mine waste characterisation. She has also served as a member of the Victorian Government Technical Review Board for Mine Rehabilitation and the Tasmanian Acid Mine Drainage Guidelines Steering Committee. Between 2017-2019, Anita was also an Assistant Editor of Minerals Engineering. Associate Professor Parbhakar-Fox is currently editing a new Springer Book on Mine Waste (due for publication in early 2025) and has co-chaired many international conference sessions in sustainable mining/geometallurgy and next will be involved in Goldschmidt 2025. Associate Professor Parbhakar-Fox also regularly delivers keynote and plenary lectures (2024- includes IAGS- Adelaide, Process Mineralogy- South Africa, Planning for Closure- Chile).
Collaborations
Associate Professor Parbhakar-Fox is an Adjunct Senior Researcher at the University of Tasmania (2019-2022) and in this role continues to co-supervise honours and PhD students. Anita is also the co-chief investigator on a QUEX funded project (making tailings safe) with researchers based at the University of Exeter.
Teaching and Outreach
Associate Professor Parbhakar-Fox has extensive honours and PhD research supervision and lecturing experience having been unit co-ordinator of Geometallurgy and Environmental Geology units at the University of Tasmania. She welcomes interested PhD and MSc students in the area of mine waste to contact her to discuss project opportunities. Dr Parbhakar-Fox has also participated in a number of media outreach activities on TV, local radio and at public events (e.g., 'Mining: Dinosaur or Deliverer?' 2017; 'Pint of Science' 2018).
Key Publications
Parbhakar-Fox A, Edraki M, Walters S, Bradshaw D, 'Development of a textural index for the prediction of acid rock drainage', Minerals Engineering, 24, (12) pp. 1277-1287. ISSN 0892-6875 (2011) DOI: 10.1016/j.mineng.2011.04.019
Parbhakar-Fox A, Lottermoser BG, 'A critical review of acid rock drainage prediction methods and practices', Minerals Engineering, 82 pp. 107-124. ISSN 0892-6875 (2015) DOI: 10.1016/j.mineng.2015.03.015
Parbhakar-Fox A, Glen J, Raimondo R, 'A geometallurgical approach to tailings management: an example from the Savage River Fe-ore mine, Western Tasmania', Minerals, 8 Article 454. ISSN 2075-163X (2018) DOI: 10.3390/min8100454
Cracknell MJ, Parbhakar-Fox A, Jackson L, Savinova E, 'Automated acid rock drainage indexing from drill core imagery', Minerals, 8, (12) Article 571. ISSN 2075-163X (2018) DOI: 10.3390/min8120571
Dominy SC, O'Connor L, Parbhakar-Fox A, Glass HJ, Purevgerel S, 'Geometallurgy - A Route to More Resilient Mine Operations', Minerals, 8, (12) Article 560. ISSN 2075-163X (2018) DOI: 10.3390/min8120560
Funding
Anita is leading research projects funded by several state governments and Geoscience Australia. Additionly she works with,mining companies ( Regeneration Enterprises. Glencore, Grange Resources). Previously, she has been involved in CRC ORE's Environmental Indicators program (2011-2015) and the ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub for Transforming the Mining Value Chain (TMVC; 2015-2019).
Works
Search Professor Anita Parbhakar-Fox’s works on UQ eSpace
2017
Book Chapter
Prediction of acid rock drainage from automated mineralogy
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Lottermoser, Bernd, Hartner, Richard, Berry, Ron F. and Noble, Taryn L. (2017). Prediction of acid rock drainage from automated mineralogy. Environmental indicators in metal mining. (pp. 139-156) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_8
2017
Conference Publication
Geoenvironmental characterisation of the abandoned Scotia Mine, northeast Tasmania: implications for management practices
Parbhakar-Fox, A., Lewis, T., Hamill, P., Wakefield, A., Botrill, R. and Parnell, J. (2017). Geoenvironmental characterisation of the abandoned Scotia Mine, northeast Tasmania: implications for management practices. Ninth Australian Workshop on Acid and Metalliferous Drainage,, Burnie, Tasmania, 20-23 November 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Determining bioaccessibility risks at the historic Aberfoyle tailings site, northeast Tasmania opportunities for effective rehabilitation
McLaine, R., Parbhakar-Fox, A., Fox, N. and Reid, M. (2017). Determining bioaccessibility risks at the historic Aberfoyle tailings site, northeast Tasmania opportunities for effective rehabilitation. Ninth Australian Workshop on Acid and Metalliferous Drainage, Burnie, Tasmania, 20-23 November 2017.
2017
Book Chapter
Principles of sulfide oxidation and acid rock drainage
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita and Lottermoser, Bernd (2017). Principles of sulfide oxidation and acid rock drainage. Environmental indicators in metal mining. (pp. 15-34) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_2
2017
Conference Publication
Effectively linking mining geology with waste management - a case study from western Tasmania
Parbhakar-Fox, A. and Lottermoser, B.G. (2017). Effectively linking mining geology with waste management - a case study from western Tasmania. Tenth International Mining Geology Conference, Hobart, Tasmania, 20-22 September 2017. Carlton, VIC, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
2017
Book Chapter
Predicting waste properties using the geochemistry-mineralogy-texture-geometallurgy approach
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita (2017). Predicting waste properties using the geochemistry-mineralogy-texture-geometallurgy approach. Environmental indicators in metal mining. (pp. 73-96) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_5
2017
Conference Publication
Extraction of cobalt from historic sulphide tailings using bioleaching
Parbhakar-Fox, A., Glen, J. and Kemp, D. (2017). Extraction of cobalt from historic sulphide tailings using bioleaching. Ninth Australian Workshop on Acid and Metalliferous Drainage, Burnie, Tasmania, 20-23 November 2017. St Lucia, QLD, Australia: Sustainable Minerals Institute, University of Queensland.
2017
Book Chapter
Predicting plant metal bioaccessibility at the historic wheal maid tailings lagoons, Cornwall, UK
van Veen, Eleanor M., Lottermoser, Bernd, Parbhakar-Fox, Anita and Hunt, Julie (2017). Predicting plant metal bioaccessibility at the historic wheal maid tailings lagoons, Cornwall, UK. Environmental indicators in metal mining. (pp. 397-408) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_22
2017
Conference Publication
Geochemical and mineralogical characterisation of a tailings-rich sediment bank, King River, Tasmania
Gilmour, S., Parbhakar-Fox, A., Jackson, L. and Cooke, D. R. (2017). Geochemical and mineralogical characterisation of a tailings-rich sediment bank, King River, Tasmania. In: Proceedings of the Ninth Australian Workshop on Acid and Metalliferous Drainage. Ninth Australian Workshop on Acid and Metalliferous Drainage, Burnie, Tasmania, (394-404). 20-23 November 2017.
2017
Book Chapter
pH testing methods for sulfidic mine wastes
Noble, Taryn L., Lottermoser, Bernd and Parbhakar-Fox, Anita (2017). pH testing methods for sulfidic mine wastes. Environmental indicators in metal mining. (pp. 199-210) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer . doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_11
2016
Journal Article
A new test for plant bioaccessibility in sulphidic wastes and soils: a case study from the Wheal Maid historic tailings repository in Cornwall, UK
van Veen, E. M., Lottermoser, B. G., Parbhakar-Fox, A., Fox, N. and Hunt, J. (2016). A new test for plant bioaccessibility in sulphidic wastes and soils: a case study from the Wheal Maid historic tailings repository in Cornwall, UK. Science of the Total Environment, 563, 835-844. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.01.054
2016
Journal Article
Evaluation of pH Testing Methods for Sulfidic Mine Waste
Noble, Taryn L., Lottermoser, Bernd G. and Parbhakar-Fox, Anita (2016). Evaluation of pH Testing Methods for Sulfidic Mine Waste. Mine Water and the Environment, 35 (3), 318-331. doi: 10.1007/s10230-015-0356-2
2016
Journal Article
Geoenvironmental characterisation of heap leach materials at abandoned mines: Croydon Au-Mines, QLD, Australia
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita (2016). Geoenvironmental characterisation of heap leach materials at abandoned mines: Croydon Au-Mines, QLD, Australia. Minerals, 6 (2) 52, 52. doi: 10.3390/min6020052
2016
Journal Article
Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the Old Tailings Dam, Australia: evaluating the effectiveness of a water cover for long-term AMD control
Jackson, Laura M. and Parbhakar-Fox, Anita (2016). Mineralogical and geochemical characterization of the Old Tailings Dam, Australia: evaluating the effectiveness of a water cover for long-term AMD control. Applied Geochemistry, 68, 64-78. doi: 10.1016/j.apgeochem.2016.03.009
2016
Journal Article
Precious metals in gossanous waste rocks from the Iberian Pyrite Belt
Hunt, Julie, Lottermoser, Bernd G., Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Van Veen, Eleanor and Goemann, Karsten (2016). Precious metals in gossanous waste rocks from the Iberian Pyrite Belt. Minerals Engineering, 87, 45-53. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2015.12.002
2016
Conference Publication
Applications of hyperspectral mineralogy for geoenvironmental characterisation
Fox, N., Parbhakar-Fox, A. and Moltzen, J. (2016). Applications of hyperspectral mineralogy for geoenvironmental characterisation. Sustainable Minerals '16, Cornwall, United Kingdom, 23-24 June 2016.
2015
Journal Article
A critical review of acid rock drainage prediction methods and practices
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita and Lottermoser, Bernd G. (2015). A critical review of acid rock drainage prediction methods and practices. Minerals Engineering, 82 4616, 107-124. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2015.03.015
2015
Conference Publication
Prediction of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) from calculated mineralogy
Berry, Ron, Hunt, Julie, Parbhakar-Fox, Anita and Lottermoser, Bernd (2015). Prediction of Acid Rock Drainage (ARD) from calculated mineralogy. 10th International Conference for Acid Rock Drainage, Santiago, Chile, 21-24 April 2015. Wendelstein, Germany: International Mine Water Association.
2014
Journal Article
Reinventing the wheel
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita (2014). Reinventing the wheel. Materials World, 22 (12), 51-53.
2014
Journal Article
Identification of acid rock drainage sources through mesotextural classification at abandoned mines of Croydon, Australia: implications for the rehabilitation of waste rock repositories
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita K., Edraki, Mansour, Hardie, Kathleen, Kadletz, Oskar and Hall, Tania (2014). Identification of acid rock drainage sources through mesotextural classification at abandoned mines of Croydon, Australia: implications for the rehabilitation of waste rock repositories. Journal of Geochemical Exploration, 137, 11-28. doi: 10.1016/j.gexplo.2013.10.017
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Anita Parbhakar-Fox is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Geometallurgy of mine waste
The process of mining is not only concerned with commodity extraction but also moving and managing waste. Globally, up to 30 Gt of waste material per annum is removed, handled and placed into final repositories or landforms, based on engineering design criteria informed by geochemical parameters, where it remains indefinitely unless another use for it is identified. If inadequately managed, waste materials can pose a range of physical (i.e., dam failures) and chemical (i.e., acid and metalliferous drainage; AMD) geoenvironmental risks. The challenge remains for the mining industry to identify the mechanisms by which to cost effectively forecast and manage these potential risks at the earliest possible stage in a mine’s life. If adequately performed, then appropriate funding and environmental management strategies can be developed and embedded into the mine plan to enable better closure outcomes. Whilst the industry is cognisant of this, another major challenge is finding the right toolbox to facilitate early stage waste characterisation. For example, chemical (i.e., static and kinetic) tests have dominated how AMD properties have been measured since the late 1970s, but with AMD remaining an ongoing global issue (even at young mines), there is a necessity for innovation. With an explosion of new tools and technologies for ore characterisation, there has never been a more opportunistic time to follow a geoenvironmental matrix approach whereby the ‘environmental geometallurgy’ toolkit is used for waste characterisation. The toolkit includes application of hyperspectral technologies to derive geoenvironmental domaining index values, improved used of handheld tools and chemical tests, data mining, and developing applications for µCT and 3D XRF drill core scanners. As we approach the next decade, the industry has the unique opportunity to embed the environmental geometallurgy toolkit into their operations and improve the management of geoenvironmental risk.
I am seeking students to work with me in projects in this area.
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Geometallurgy of existing/abandoned mine wastes
Never before have the challenges of mine waste management been so important to ensure ongoing progress and development of mining operations with licence to operate now ranked as the number 1 business risk facing the mining and metals industry (Ernest Young, 2019). Societal expectations increasingly demand the sector to commit and contribute to community, government, employees and environment needs beyond the life-of-mine. This includes realistic planning for the ongoing management of mine waste storage facilities and their eventual closure. Too few global examples of successful mine closure exist for a myriad of reasons, the most important of which is the poor approach to the chemical and physical characterisation of mine waste (e.g., waste rock, tailings, slag and spent heap leach materials). Ultimately, these data inform the engineering design for the long-term storage of these waste materials. If they are not well designed then there is strong potential to induce acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD) whereby sulphides contained in mine waste oxidise (Dold, 2017) or catastrophic structural failures can occur as demonstrated at the Brumadinho Dam, Brazil in January 2019. AMD is characterised by low pH, high sulphate and metals which negatively impact on the water quality of the receiving environment (Dold, 2017; Naidu et al, 2019). Once AMD generation has started, stopping and managing it is technically challenging, costing mining operations and government bodies many millions of dollars to actively manage (Naidu et al., 2019). For example, the mining industry in Tasmania was established in the late 1800s with activities focussed in the west and north east of the state with a range of commodities sought including gold, copper, lead, zinc, silver and tin (Walshe and Heithersay, 1995). Today, hundreds of historic mine waste features remaining on the land surface many of which require ongoing management. But, maps of historic mine locations should not be viewed as only conveying the distribution of acid forming materials, they also provide the location of concentrated outcrops of, often fine grained, sulphides. When considering the advances made in metallurgical processing technologies since the deposition of historical (ie late 1800s) waste and the changing thirst for commodities (ie increased demands for cobalt, lithium and REEs; Grandell et al, 2016) there is strength in the business case for processing mining waste. By adopting a geometallurgical characterisation approach to assessing mine waste its commodity potential can be defined.
I am seeking experienced students to work with me in projects in this area.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Evaluation of the environmental reactivity of porphyry copper ore and gangue before and after mining and processing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Gordon Forbes, Dr Nathan Fox
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Doctor Philosophy
Multi-scale geometallurgical characterisation of legacy tailings for sustainable critical metal valorisation: A case study exploring the secondary prospectivity of cobalt
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Rick Valenta
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Doctor Philosophy
Geometallurgical studies aimed at managing mining waste
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Rick Valenta, Dr Laura Jackson
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Doctor Philosophy
Flotation properties of base metal sulphides in composite particles, as a function of their mineral chemistry.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Gordon Forbes, Associate Professor Liza Forbes
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Doctor Philosophy
Developing Orebody Knowledge of VHMS Systems in the Rosebery Mineral Field, Tasmania
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Rick Valenta, Dr Nathan Fox
Media
Enquiries
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