Emeritus Professor David Williams
Emeritus Professor

David Williams

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Background

Professor David John Williams was the Initiator and Director of the Geotechnical Engineering Centre within the School of Civil Engineering at The University of Queensland, an industry-funded centre that has attracted AUD10 million in funding over the period from 2007 to 2022. He also manages the industry-sponsored Large Open Pit Project, involving 10 global mining company sponsors, with current funding of USD1 million per year. He has over 40 years of teaching, research and consulting experience, and is internationally recognised for his expertise and experience in mine waste management and mine closure, pertaining to tailings dams in particular. He was a member of Expert Panel investigating technical causes of Brumadinho tailings dam failure and is on a number of Tailings Independent Technical Review Boards, including for Escondida Copper Mine in Chile. He authored in 2009 and 2016 Tailings Management Handbook, as part of the Commonwealth Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry. He is on Working Party for the Australian National Committee for Large Dams Guidelines on Tailings Dams – Planning, Design, Construction, Operation and Closure, published in 2012, with an Addendum in 2019 and currently being updated. He initiated in 2020 and largely delivers the AusIMM Tailings Management Professional Certificate Course that has been taken by almost 1,500 Tailings Practitioners worldwide.

David received his BE (Hons I) in Civil Engineering from Monash University in 1975 and his PhD in Soil Mechanics from the University of Cambridge in 1979. His research and consulting interests include:

  • Physical characterisation of mine tailings deposition, including beaching, hydraulic sorting, sedimentation, consolidation, desiccation and loading
  • Store and release cover systems for potentially acid forming mine wastes
  • Co-disposal of mine tailings and coarse-grained mine wastes
  • Dewatering and densification of mine tailings
  • Dewatering of mineral products
  • Moisture movement within mine wastes
  • Settlement of coarse-grained mine wastes
  • Strength of coarse-grained mine wastes
  • Engineered rehabilitation of mine sites
  • Risk assessment and cost-effectiveness analysis of mine site rehabilitation and closure
  • Long-term seepage and runoff from mine tailings storages
  • Characterisation of potentially acid forming waste rock dumps
  • Application of high-resolution digital stereo-photography to monitoring erosion from mine waste slopes
  • Mined landform evolution and design

Availability

Emeritus Professor David Williams is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Fields of research

Civil engineering Resources engineering and extractive metallurgy

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, Monash University
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Cambridge

Research impacts

Professor Williams' research on mine tailings continues to be applied to improve the dewatering and densification of tailings deposited as a slurry. He developed the store and release cover system for potentially acid forming mine wastes for application in semi-arid and seasonally dry climates, which has been applied worldwide. He characterised the deposit formed on the pumped co-disposal of coal mine washery wastes; a method that has been widely adopted in the coalfields of eastern Australia and Indonesia. The co-disposal of coarse-grained mine wastes and tailings is also being applied. His research on the wetting-up of mine waste rock dumps has contributed to understanding of rainfall infiltration into and seepage from waste rock dumps.

The shear strength and settlement of coarse-grained mine wastes have become important as the scale of waste rock dumps and spoil piles increases. Professor Williams has been a pioneer in the application of risk assessment and cost-effectiveness analysis to mine site rehabilitation and closure. In addition, he applied high-resolution digital stereo-photography to monitoring erosion from mine waste slopes. He has pioneered mined landform evolution and design.

Shortlisted Media and Video Outputs

Search Professor David Williams’s works on UQ eSpace

417 works between 1981 and 2025
All (417) Journal Article (186) Book Chapter (9) Conference Publication (216) Book (4) Other Outputs (2)

261 - 280 of 417 works

2009

Conference Publication

Acid drainage management and closure design of a sulfidic tailings storage facility in a dry climate

Chapman, Peter J., Williams, David J., Rhode, Timothy K. and Ennor, Steve J. (2009). Acid drainage management and closure design of a sulfidic tailings storage facility in a dry climate. Securing the Future and 8th International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage, Skelleftea, Sweden, 23-26 June 2009. Sweden: SveMin/INAP.

Acid drainage management and closure design of a sulfidic tailings storage facility in a dry climate

2009

Conference Publication

Numerical procedure for modelling dynamic fracture of rock by blasting

Liu, HY, Williams, DJ, Pedroso, DM and Liang, WM (2009). Numerical procedure for modelling dynamic fracture of rock by blasting. 7th International Symposium on Rockburst and Seismicity in Mines, Dalian, China, AUG 21-23, 2009. New Jersey, U.S.A.: Rinton Press.

Numerical procedure for modelling dynamic fracture of rock by blasting

2009

Conference Publication

Use of SWCCs to describe the dewatering of product coal

Williams, D. J. (2009). Use of SWCCs to describe the dewatering of product coal. 4th Asia Pacific Conference on Unsaturated Soils, Newcastle, Australia, 23 - 25 November 2009. Leiden, Netherlands: CRC Press/Balkema.

Use of SWCCs to describe the dewatering of product coal

2009

Conference Publication

Early hydrological monitoring of Cadia's instrumented trial waste rock dump

Rohde, Timothy K. and Williams, David J. (2009). Early hydrological monitoring of Cadia's instrumented trial waste rock dump. Securing the Future and 8th International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage, Skelleftea, Sweden, 23-26 June 2009. Sweden: SveMin/INAP.

Early hydrological monitoring of Cadia's instrumented trial waste rock dump

2008

Book

Water management: leading practice sustainable development program for the mining industry

Gibson, Dennis, Moran, Chris, Schofield, Shelby A. E., Bailey, Graeme, Cummings, Jason, Edebone, Mark, Jilbert, Barry, Jones, David, Kesteven, Caherine, Korosi, Erika, Markham, Andrew, Morris, Greg, Parry, David, Smith, Ross, Taylor, Jeff, Wright, Alan and Williams, David (2008). Water management: leading practice sustainable development program for the mining industry. Canberra, ACT Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.

Water management: leading practice sustainable development program for the mining industry

2008

Conference Publication

Understanding the water balance of potentially acid forming tailings deposited in a dry climate

Chapman, P. J., Williams, D. J., Rohde, T. K. and Ennor, S. J. (2008). Understanding the water balance of potentially acid forming tailings deposited in a dry climate. Mine Closure 2008: The Third International Seminar on Mine Closure, Fourways, Johannesburg, S.A., 14-17 October 2008. Nedlands, WA, Australia: Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG).

Understanding the water balance of potentially acid forming tailings deposited in a dry climate

2008

Conference Publication

Rock dump design to limit potential acid drainage

Williams, D.J., Scott, P.A., Johnston, D. and Lee, G. (2008). Rock dump design to limit potential acid drainage. Rock Dumps 2008, Perth, Western Australia, 5-6 March 2008. Perth, Western Australia: Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG).

Rock dump design to limit potential acid drainage

2008

Conference Publication

Waste rock dump rainfall infiltration and base seepage at Cadia

Williams, D.J. and Rohde, T. (2008). Waste rock dump rainfall infiltration and base seepage at Cadia. Sixth Australian Workshop on Acid and Metalliferous Drainage, Burnie, Tasmania, 15-18 April 2008. The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia: ACMER.

Waste rock dump rainfall infiltration and base seepage at Cadia

2008

Conference Publication

Rainfall infiltration into and seepage from rock dumps - A review

Williams, D.J. and Rohde, T.K. (2008). Rainfall infiltration into and seepage from rock dumps - A review. Rock Dumps 2008, Perth, Western Australia, 5-6 March 2008. Perth, Western Australia: Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG).

Rainfall infiltration into and seepage from rock dumps - A review

2008

Conference Publication

The influence of climate on seepage from mine waste storages during deposition and post-closure

Williams, D. J. (2008). The influence of climate on seepage from mine waste storages during deposition and post-closure. Mine Closure 2008, Johannesburg, South Africa, 14-17 October 2008. Perth, Western Australia: Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG).

The influence of climate on seepage from mine waste storages during deposition and post-closure

2008

Journal Article

Field measurements of mine rock dump rainfall infiltration and base seepage

Williams, D.J. and Rohde, T.K. (2008). Field measurements of mine rock dump rainfall infiltration and base seepage. Geotechnical News, 26 (1), 52-56.

Field measurements of mine rock dump rainfall infiltration and base seepage

2008

Conference Publication

Development of a rock dump scheduling model using linear programming

Williams, D.J., Topal, E., Zhang, N. and Scott, P.A. (2008). Development of a rock dump scheduling model using linear programming. Rock Dumps 2008, Perth, Western Australia, 5-6 March 2008. Perth, Western Australia: Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG).

Development of a rock dump scheduling model using linear programming

2007

Conference Publication

Strategies for reducing seepage from surface waste rock piles during operation and post-closure

Williams, D.J. and Rohde, T.K. (2007). Strategies for reducing seepage from surface waste rock piles during operation and post-closure. Mine Closure 2007, Santiago, Chile, 16-19 October 2007. Santiago, Chile: Australian Centre for Geomechanics, The University of Western Australia.

Strategies for reducing seepage from surface waste rock piles during operation and post-closure

2007

Conference Publication

Compaction of coal mine rejects to limit the potential for spontaneous combustion

Williams, D.J. (2007). Compaction of coal mine rejects to limit the potential for spontaneous combustion. Common Ground, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 21-24 October, 2007. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: Carillon Conference Management Pty Limited for the Australian Geomechanics Society.

Compaction of coal mine rejects to limit the potential for spontaneous combustion

2007

Conference Publication

Saturation required for continuum flow through different mine waste materials

Williams, D.J. and Rohde, T.K. (2007). Saturation required for continuum flow through different mine waste materials. Common Ground, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 21-24 October, 2007. Brisbane, Queensland, Australia: Carillon Conference Management Pty Limited for the Australian Geomechanics Society.

Saturation required for continuum flow through different mine waste materials

2006

Conference Publication

Long-term performance of a "store/release" cover over potentially acid forming waste rock in a semi-arid climate

Williams, D. J., Stolberg, D. J. and Currey, N. A. (2006). Long-term performance of a "store/release" cover over potentially acid forming waste rock in a semi-arid climate. 4th International Conference on Unsaturated Soils, , , April 2, 2006-April 5, 2006. Reston, VA: American Society of Civil Engineers. doi: 10.1061/40802(189)60

Long-term performance of a "store/release" cover over potentially acid forming waste rock in a semi-arid climate

2006

Conference Publication

Erosional stability of tailings storage facilities in an arid climate

Williams, David J. and Stolberg, Daniel J. (2006). Erosional stability of tailings storage facilities in an arid climate. 5th ICEG Environmental Geotechnics: Opportunities, Challenges and Responsibilities for Environmental Geotechnics - International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering's (ISSMGE) 5th International Congress, , , June 26, 2006-June 30, 2006.

Erosional stability of tailings storage facilities in an arid climate

2006

Conference Publication

Erosional stability of tailings store facilities in an arid climate

Williams, D J and Stolberg, D. J. (2006). Erosional stability of tailings store facilities in an arid climate. Fifth International Congress on Environmental Geotechnics, Wales, United Kingdom, 26-30 June 2006. England, United Kingdom: Thomas Telford.

Erosional stability of tailings store facilities in an arid climate

2006

Conference Publication

Mine closure as a driver for waste rock dump constructions

Williams, D J (2006). Mine closure as a driver for waste rock dump constructions. First International Seminar on Mine Closure, Perth, Western Australia, 13-15 September 2006. Perth, Western Australia: Australian Centre for Geomechanics.

Mine closure as a driver for waste rock dump constructions

2006

Conference Publication

Long-term monitoring of Kidston's "store/release" cover system over potentially acid forming waste rock piles

Williams, D J, Stolberg, D. J. and Currey, N A (2006). Long-term monitoring of Kidston's "store/release" cover system over potentially acid forming waste rock piles. Seventh International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage, Missouri, USA, 26-30 March 2006. Kentucky, USA: American Society of Mining and Reclamation. doi: 10.21000/jasmr06022385

Long-term monitoring of Kidston's "store/release" cover system over potentially acid forming waste rock piles

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2028
    Large Open Pit IV - Geotechnical Innovation, Development and Collaboration
    Vale SA
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2027
    PAF Cell and Centre Pit Dump Instrumentation
    Grange Resources (Tasmania) Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Phosphate Hill Gypsum Storage Facility Rehab Trials
    Phosphate Hill Gypsum Storage Facility Rehab Trials
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2025
    Performance assessment of naturally cemented hardpans for zinc and lead tailings
    Cobar Operations Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024
    Assessment and Deployment Trial of Tailings Monitoring Probe
    Hermes & Soteria Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Undrained shear strength and consolidation changes of centrifuged red mud trial pans
    RTA Yarwun
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Water and salt transport at an environmental watering site in Lower River Murray
    Murray-Darling Basin Authority
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Geotechnical testing on Red Mud samples Phase 2 testing program (Assessment of hydrological and geotechnical behaviour of bauxite residue with varying sample treatment using large desiccation columns)
    Rio Tinto Aluminium Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Non-invasive and real-time monitoring of slurry tailings density and velocity in transmission pipeline using the Electrical Resistance Tomography method
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Recharge and drying in an e-watering site of the Lower Murray 2022-23
    South Australian Department of Environment and Water
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Long-term performance of 'store and release' cover system and slope treatment on PAF waste rock dumps at Kidston Gold Mine, Queensland
    CRC TIME Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    ASSESSMENT OF HYDROLOGICAL AND GEOTECHNICAL BEHAVIOUR OF BAUXITE RESIDUE AFTER FILTER PRESSING AND REPULPING
    RTA Yarwun
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Long-term Water and Salt Balance during Environmental Watering of The Lower Murray Floodplain - Field Monitoring, Laboratory Experiment and Numerical Modelling
    Murray-Darling Basin Authority
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2024
    Catastrophic Rock and Concrete Brittle Failures
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Recharge and Drying in an E-Watering Site of The Lower Murray
    South Australian Department of Environment and Water
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    A systematic and systemic review of mined landform stability and its impact on transitioning for regional benefits
    CRC TIME Limited
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Current tools, techniques and gaps in evaluating mine closure (CRC TiME project led by Curtin University)
    Curtin University
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Salt migration on compacted red mud into natural cover
    Queensland Alumina Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2024
    Large Open Pit Project III (LOP III)
    Fortescue Metals Group Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2022
    Geotechnical Engineering Centre
    The Australasian Institute of Mining & Metallurgy
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Engineering the strength and consolidation of reclaimed soft soil
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Cost-effective improvements to tailings and water management, and closure, at Mineral Escondida
    Minera Escondida Limitada
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    National rock, concrete and advanced composite testing capability
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    X-ray Microscopy Facility for Imaging Geo-materials (ARC LIEF grant administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2014
    Optimising the design, construction and cost-effectiveness of screw auger piles in fine-grained cohesive soils
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Investigation and modelling of the dewatering, stability and water management of deep open pit iron ore mines
    UQ Collaboration and Industry Engagement Fund
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Improved Dewatering, Management and Rehabilitation of Problematic, Clay-Rich Coal Mine Tailings
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    Soil Behaviour During the Installation Process of Auger Displacement Piles
    Go8 Australia - Germany Joint Research Co-operation Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2014
    Bulking and subsequent self-weight and saturation settlements and geotechnical stability of high coal mine spoil piles
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    A new elasto-plastic model for predicting the response of soils to a stress reduction induced by major civil engineering constructions
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2010 - 2011
    Measurements of Pressure Profile along Elongated Sensors Using Time Domain Reflectometry (TDR)
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2009 - 2012
    Effectiveness of deep natural clay, compacted clay and geomembranes in limiting seepage from coal seam gas production water evaporation ponds
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Characterisation of Lateritic Nickel Ore Processing Residues to Effect Sustainable Storage
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Dynamic Analyses of Rock Exavation using Tunnel Boring Machines
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2008 - 2009
    Protection Against Fire and Explosions in Tunnels
    UQ FirstLink Scheme
    Open grant
  • 2006 - 2008
    Improving the Control of Product Coal Moisture Based on Unsaturated Soil Mechanics Principles
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2003 - 2007
    Development of Innovative Landform and Closure Designs for Potentially Contaminating Surface Waste Rock Dumps
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2002 - 2004
    Development of a Risk Assessment and Cost-Effectiveness Model for Optimising Geotechnical Roadway Assets
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2003
    Predicting long-term runoff and seepage from tailings storage facilities to facilitate cost-effective and timely closure and lease surrender
    ARC (Australian Postgraduate Award-Industry)
    Open grant
  • 2000 - 2003
    Predicting long-term runoff and seepage from tailings storage facilities to facilitate cost-effective and timely closure and lease surrender
    ARC Collaborative Grant (SPIRT)
    Open grant
  • 1999
    Column leaching tests of acid sulphate soils
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 1999 - 2000
    Risk Management Strategies for the Surrender of Open Cut Dragline Spoil Pile Areas
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 1998
    Engineering properties of waste rock and tailings material - western moreton coal fields and tarong coal mine
    ACIL Australia Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 1997
    Development of Novel Techniques for Evaluating the Sustainability of Mine Site Rehabilitation
    ARC Australian Research Council (Small grants)
    Open grant
  • 1997 - 1999
    Kidston Gold Mines tailings dam research.
    Kidston Gold Mines Limited
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Acid Mine Drainage
    Tarong Coal
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Erosion Parameters
    BHP Australia Coal Limited
    Open grant
  • 1996
    Research on design of race track surfaces
    Queensland Department Primary Industries
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1998
    Kidston Gold Mines co-disposal of wastes research.
    Kidston Gold Mines Limited
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1999
    Kidston Gold Mines waste rock dump rehabilitation research.
    Kidston Gold Mines Limited
    Open grant
  • 1995 - 1997
    Acid Mine Drainage
    CRA
    Open grant
  • 1995
    Research on design of race track surfaces
    Department Tourism, Sport & Racing - Queensland
    Open grant

Availability

Emeritus Professor David Williams is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Behaviour of railway expansive soil subgrade under wetting and drying cycles

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The tailings dam design process: Design parameters and assessment methodologies

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Analytical model for the setup of driven piles

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Measuring the deformation of mine waste facilities

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Utilisation of Mining Wastes as Backfill Material for Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) Walls

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Partha Narayan Mishra

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Settling, consolidation and desiccation of mine tailings slurry

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Tunnelling related topic - Water mitigation

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jurij Karlovsek

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Assessment of hydrological and geotechnical behaviour of bauxite residue after filter pressing and repulping

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Thierry Bore, Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Catastrophic rock and concrete brittle failures

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Mehdi Serati

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The Value of Geotechnical Information as a Public or Private Asset

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jurij Karlovsek

  • Master Philosophy

    Tailings Failures and Community Participation: A Pathway to Disaster Prevention?

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Jill Harris, Professor Deanna Kemp

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Damage Behaviour of Rock Salt Under Coupled Thermomechanical Polyaxial Stresses

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Mehdi Serati

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Farming method and assessment of its application in bauxite residue using scaled laboratory model

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Continuous analysis of the timeseries data to predict early TARP for a closed Tailings storage facility using data driven methods.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Chenming Zhang

Completed supervision

Enquiries

Contact Emeritus Professor David Williams directly for media enquiries about:

  • Dumps - mine waste
  • Earthquakes - engineering
  • Engineering - earthquake
  • Engineering - geotechnical
  • Foundations - engineering
  • Geomechanics - mines
  • Geotechnical engineering
  • Landform design - mining
  • Mine rehabilitation
  • Mine waste disposal
  • Rehabilitation - mine sites
  • Slope stability - mining

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