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
Fields of research
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
2018
Journal Article
Automated acid rock drainage indexing from drill core imagery
Cracknell, Matthew J., Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Jackson, Laura and Savinova, Ekaterina (2018). Automated acid rock drainage indexing from drill core imagery. Minerals, 8 (12) 571, 571. doi: 10.3390/min8120571
2018
Journal Article
Geometallurgy-a route to more resilient mine operations
Dominy, Simon C., O'Connor, Louisa, Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Glass, Hylke J. and Purevgerel, Saranchimeg (2018). Geometallurgy-a route to more resilient mine operations. Minerals, 8 (12) 560, 560. doi: 10.3390/min8120560
2018
Journal Article
Forecasting Geoenvironmental Risks: Integrated Applications of Mineralogical and Chemical Data
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Fox, Nathan, Jackson, Laura and Cornelius, Rebekah (2018). Forecasting Geoenvironmental Risks: Integrated Applications of Mineralogical and Chemical Data. Minerals, 8 (12) 541, 541. doi: 10.3390/min8120541
2018
Journal Article
A geometallurgical approach to tailings management: an example from the Savage River Fe-ore mine, Western Tasmania
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Glen, John and Raimondo, Bonita (2018). A geometallurgical approach to tailings management: an example from the Savage River Fe-ore mine, Western Tasmania. Minerals, 8 (10) 454, 454. doi: 10.3390/min8100454
2018
Journal Article
Improved mine waste characterisation through static blended test work
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Fox, Nathan, Hill, Roger, Ferguson, Tony and Maynard, Ben (2018). Improved mine waste characterisation through static blended test work. Minerals Engineering, 116, 132-142. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2017.09.011
2018
Conference Publication
A geoenvironmental characterisation tool for the coreshed during early life-of-mine assessments
Cornelius, R., Parbhakar-Fox, A. and Cooke, D. R. (2018). A geoenvironmental characterisation tool for the coreshed during early life-of-mine assessments. Ninth Australian Workshop on Acid and Metalliferous Drainage, Burnie, Tasmania, 20-23 November 2017. St Lucia, QLD Australia: Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland.
2018
Conference Publication
Dissection of the NAG pH Test: Tracking Efficacy Through Examining Reaction Products
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Fox, Nathan, Maynard, Ben, Ferguson, Tony and Hill, Roger (2018). Dissection of the NAG pH Test: Tracking Efficacy Through Examining Reaction Products. International Conference for Acid Rock Drainage, Pretoria, South Africa , 10-14 September 2018. Pretoria, South Africa: IMWA/ICARD.
2018
Conference Publication
Determining the long-term impact of historic mining on water quality: a case study on Mt Lyell, Western Tasmania, Australia
Nascimento, S., Cooke, D., Parbhakar-Fox, A. and Cracknell, M. (2018). Determining the long-term impact of historic mining on water quality: a case study on Mt Lyell, Western Tasmania, Australia. Resources for Future Generations, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 16-21 June 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Geometallurgical characterisation of non-ferrous historical slag in Tasmania: determining reprocessing options
Gilmour, S., Parbhakar-Fox, A., Olin, P. and Fox, N. (2018). Geometallurgical characterisation of non-ferrous historical slag in Tasmania: determining reprocessing options. Process Mineralogy '18, Cape Town, South Africa, 19-21 November 2018. IMWA.
2018
Conference Publication
Integrating hyperspectral analysis and mineral chemistry for geoenvironmental prediction
Jackson, Laura Marie;, Parbhakar-Fox, Anita;, Fox, Nathan, Cooke, David R;, Harris, Anthony; and Savinova, Ekaterina (2018). Integrating hyperspectral analysis and mineral chemistry for geoenvironmental prediction. 11th International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage, Pretoria, South Africa, 10-14 September 2018. Pretoria, South Africa: International Mine Water Association.
2018
Conference Publication
Automated environmental analysis: multiple size fraction analysis of kinetic tests and implications for adjusted NNP and NPR values
Brough, C., Parbhakar-Fox, A., Garner, C., Fletcher, J., Barnes, A., Griffiths, R., Strongman, J., Bowell, R. and Becker, M. (2018). Automated environmental analysis: multiple size fraction analysis of kinetic tests and implications for adjusted NNP and NPR values. Process Mineralogy '18, Cape Town, South Africa, 19-21 November 2018. IMWA.
2018
Book Chapter
Assessing geo-environmental risk using intact materials for early life-of-mine planning - a review of established techniques and emerging tools
Jackson, L. M., Parbhakar-Fox, A., Fox, N., Cooke, D. R., Harris, A. C., Meffre, S., Danyushevsky, L., Goemann, K., Rodemann, T., Gloy, G. and Savinova, E. (2018). Assessing geo-environmental risk using intact materials for early life-of-mine planning - a review of established techniques and emerging tools. From start to finish – a life-of-mine perspective. (pp. 9-26) edited by Cherie McCullough, Bruce Harvey, Corinne Unger, Jan Coetzee and Stuart Winchester. Carlton, VIC Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.
2017
Journal Article
Applications of hyperspectral mineralogy for geoenvironmental characterisation
Fox, N., Parbhakar-Fox, A., Moltzen, J., Feig, S., Goemann, K. and Huntington, J. (2017). Applications of hyperspectral mineralogy for geoenvironmental characterisation. Minerals Engineering, 107, 63-77. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2016.11.008
2017
Book Chapter
Predictive waste classification using the geochemistry-mineralogy-texture-geometallurgy (GMTG) approach at a polymetallic mine
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita and Lottermoser, Bernd (2017). Predictive waste classification using the geochemistry-mineralogy-texture-geometallurgy (GMTG) approach at a polymetallic mine. Environmental Indicators in metal mining. (pp. 179-196) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_10
2017
Book Chapter
Chemical staining techniques for drill core characterization
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Fox, Nathan, Moltzen, Jake and Lottermoser, Bernd (2017). Chemical staining techniques for drill core characterization. Environmental indicators in metal mining. (pp. 97-114) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_6
2017
Book Chapter
Micro-analytical technologies for mineral mapping and trace element deportment
Berry, Ron F., Danyushevsky, Leonid V., Goemann, Karsten, Parbhakar-Fox, Anita and Rodemann, Thomas (2017). Micro-analytical technologies for mineral mapping and trace element deportment. Environmental indicators in metal mining. (pp. 55-72) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_4
2017
Book Chapter
Prediction of leachate quality for a gossan dump, Angostura, Spain
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Hunt, Julie, Lottermoser, Bernd, van Veen, Eleanor M. and Fox, Nathan (2017). Prediction of leachate quality for a gossan dump, Angostura, Spain. Environmental indicators in metal mining. (pp. 221-241) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_13
2017
Book Chapter
Prediction of sulfidic waste characteristics
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita and Lottermoser, Bernd (2017). Prediction of sulfidic waste characteristics. Environmental indicators in metal mining. (pp. 35-53) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_3
2017
Book Chapter
Prediction of metal mobility from sulfidic waste rocks using micro-analytical tools, baal gammon, Northern Australia
Fox, Nathan, Parbhakar-Fox, Anita and Lottermoser, Bernd (2017). Prediction of metal mobility from sulfidic waste rocks using micro-analytical tools, baal gammon, Northern Australia. Environmental Indicators in Metal Mining. (pp. 243-262) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_14
2017
Book Chapter
Prediction of acid rock drainage using field-based testing tools
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Aalders, John, Jackson, Laura and Lottermoser, Bernd (2017). Prediction of acid rock drainage using field-based testing tools. Environmental indicators in metal mining. (pp. 115-138) edited by Bernd Lottermoser. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-42731-7_7
Funding
Current funding
Past 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
Geometallurgical studies aimed at managing mining waste
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Rick Valenta, Dr Laura Jackson
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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
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
Building Geospatial Models to Inform Critical Mineral Extraction from Mine Waste: Towards a New Industry Standard
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
Unravelling novel sulphide transformation pathways for critical metal recovery
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Xiaodong Ma
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Doctor Philosophy
Relationship of pyrite textures and composition on flotation performance at Mount Isa copper deposit
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Gordon Forbes, Associate Professor Liza Forbes
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Doctor Philosophy
Relationship of pyrite textures and composition on flotation performance in the Mount Isa copper deposit
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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