Skip to menu Skip to content Skip to footer
Professor Mohsen Yahyaei
Professor

Mohsen Yahyaei

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 65989

Overview

Background

Mohsen Yahyaei is an expert in modelling, optimising, and controlling mineral processing circuits using novel approaches and tools. He is currently the Director of the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) and Program Leader for Future Autonomous Systems and Technologies (FAST) at the University of Queensland’s Sustainable Minerals Institute.

Mohsen completed his undergraduate studies in Mine Exploration and earned a Master’s degree in Mineral Processing in 2002. His master’s thesis focused on applying column flotation in the Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex, the largest copper mine in the Middle East. After his Master’s, he worked at the R&D centre of the Zarand coal washing plant in Iran for two years before becoming the plant manager. In 2007, he returned to the University of Kerman to pursue a PhD, investigating the effect of liner wear on charge motion and power draw of SAG mills, which he completed in 2010.

Since joining JKMRC in 2011, Mohsen has conducted extensive applied research and successfully delivered numerous industry-funded projects. As a comminution specialist, he is dedicated to implementing fundamental understandings in his research to offer practical solutions to the minerals industry and educate engineers and researchers with problem-solving skills for future resource industry challenges. His research focuses on optimising mineral processing techniques to enhance efficiency and sustainability, with a strong emphasis on practical application. Mohsen's research extends to advanced process control, including the development of soft sensors and model-predictive control solutions. His work aims to improve the precision and reliability of industrial processes, contributing significantly to the field of mineral processing.

Availability

Professor Mohsen Yahyaei is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Doctoral Diploma of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman
  • Masters (Coursework) of Business Administration, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Process Autonomy

    Enabling tools and technologies to enable trusted autonomous systems and technologies for mineral processing plants.

  • Dynamic modelling for process control and optimisation

    New approach in implementing dynamic modelling of mineral processing circuits for developing process control strategies and accessing process performance

  • Study surface breakage of rock particles

    Measuring surface breakage of rocks under different loading mechanisms to inform mechanistic breakage models

  • Mechanistic approach in liner wear modelling

    Incorporating factors affecting liner wear in the structure of a mechanistic wear model

Research impacts

With a successful background in industry-based work, my contributions to the development of soft sensors for comminution and classification circuits have delivered significant value to the industry. One such contribution is the JK Mill FIT, a soft sensor for real-time monitoring of tumbling mill content. This soft sensor has been installed in more than 20 operations globally and has had a significant impact on process stability, enhancing the utilization of grinding mills and reducing operational costs. Another solution I have been involved in developing is the JK Dynamic Stockpile/Bin model. This unique model offers significant opportunities for real-time process prediction and automation of mineral processing circuits. It enables ore tracking from the ground to the processing plant, enhancing mine-to-mill optimization and geometallurgical modelling. This solution has been validated with industrial data and implemented in several industrial applications. The range of new soft sensors and dynamic models that are in the pipeline of my research will transform the future of process control in mineral processing circuits.

As director of JKMRC, a world-leading research centre in mineral processing, I have contributed to the research direction of the centre, pivoting it towards developing and delivering transformational processing solutions to the resources industry. Our applied research and practical solutions have significantly contributed to the sustainable development of society through the supply of transitional mineral resources with minimal environmental and social impacts. Our research focuses on aspects of the process such as water utilization, mine waste reduction or transformation into by-products, energy efficiency, enabling the transition to green energy sources, and minimizing process waste, all of which are linked to sustainable development goals.

Works

Search Professor Mohsen Yahyaei’s works on UQ eSpace

124 works between 2005 and 2024

1 - 20 of 124 works

2024

Journal Article

Application of machine learning for generic mill liner wear prediction in Semi-Autogenous Grinding (SAG) mills

Pural, Yusuf Enes, Ledezma, Tania, Hilden, Marko, Forbes, Gordon, Boylu, Feridun and Yahyaei, Mohsen (2024). Application of machine learning for generic mill liner wear prediction in Semi-Autogenous Grinding (SAG) mills. Minerals, 14 (12) 1200, 1-16. doi: 10.3390/min14121200

Application of machine learning for generic mill liner wear prediction in Semi-Autogenous Grinding (SAG) mills

2024

Journal Article

Sustainable resource management: the end of nickel mining?

Nell (née Campbell), Kristy, Valenta, Richard K., Forbes, Gordon, Yahyaei, Mohsen and Ilyas, Hafiz M. A. (2024). Sustainable resource management: the end of nickel mining?. Recycling, 9 (6) 102, 1-17. doi: 10.3390/recycling9060102

Sustainable resource management: the end of nickel mining?

2024

Conference Publication

Advances in flotation which have the potential to address the challenges associated with energy transition

Runge, Kym, Forbes, Liza, Brito e Abreu, Susana and Yahyaei, Mohsen (2024). Advances in flotation which have the potential to address the challenges associated with energy transition. XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress (IMPC), Washington, DC, United States, 29 September-3 October 2024. Englewood, CO, United States: Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration.

Advances in flotation which have the potential to address the challenges associated with energy transition

2024

Journal Article

Hard/stiff surface coatings for particle weakening, part I: methodology

Camalan, Mahmut and Yahyaei, Mohsen (2024). Hard/stiff surface coatings for particle weakening, part I: methodology. Powder Technology, 443 119957, 119957. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2024.119957

Hard/stiff surface coatings for particle weakening, part I: methodology

2024

Journal Article

Hard/stiff surface coatings for weakening rock particles – Part II: Evaluation

Camalan, Mahmut and Yahyaei, Mohsen (2024). Hard/stiff surface coatings for weakening rock particles – Part II: Evaluation. Powder Technology, 441 119817, 119817. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2024.119817

Hard/stiff surface coatings for weakening rock particles – Part II: Evaluation

2024

Journal Article

Importance of considering classification and liberation when optimising comminution and flotation

Runge, K. C., Frausto, J. J., Lisso, M. M., Jokovic, V. and Yahyaei, M. (2024). Importance of considering classification and liberation when optimising comminution and flotation. Minerals Engineering, 209 108612, 108612. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2024.108612

Importance of considering classification and liberation when optimising comminution and flotation

2024

Journal Article

Developing a digital twin for a laboratory ball mill operation – a step towards mining metaverse

Qu, Juncong, Kizil, Mehmet S., Yahyaei, Mohsen and Knights, Peter F. (2024). Developing a digital twin for a laboratory ball mill operation – a step towards mining metaverse. Mining Technology: Transactions of the Institutions of Mining and Metallurgy, 133 (1), 1-14. doi: 10.1177/25726668231222990

Developing a digital twin for a laboratory ball mill operation – a step towards mining metaverse

2023

Conference Publication

Assessing comminution circuit performance using precision measurement of size specific energy

Ali, S., Powell, M. S., Yahyaei, M., Ballantyne, G. R. and Weatherley, D. K. (2023). Assessing comminution circuit performance using precision measurement of size specific energy. SAG Conference 2023, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 24 - 28 September 2023. Vancouver, BC, Canada: SAG Conference.

Assessing comminution circuit performance using precision measurement of size specific energy

2023

Other Outputs

Collaborative consortium for coarse particle processing research, Q4 2023 technical report

Liza Forbes, Kym Runge, Lizette Verster, Bellson Awatey, Juan Jose Gonzalez, Mohsen Yahyaei, Hayla Miceli, German Lastra Yanez, Farhana Diba, Anna Skliar, Candice Brill, Lucia Dzinza, Unzile Yenial Arslan, Marko Hilden and Dion Weatherley (2023). Collaborative consortium for coarse particle processing research, Q4 2023 technical report. Interim Evaluation Report; 5th Brisbane, QLD, Australia: Sustainable Minerals Institute.

Collaborative consortium for coarse particle processing research, Q4 2023 technical report

2023

Journal Article

Novel size segregation indices for multi-sized particle stockpiles

Ye, Z., Yahyaei, M., Hilden, M. and Powell, M.S. (2023). Novel size segregation indices for multi-sized particle stockpiles. Minerals Engineering, 201 108165, 108165. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108165

Novel size segregation indices for multi-sized particle stockpiles

2023

Conference Publication

Identification of semi-autogenous grinding mill operating states using clustering

Adhikari, Niranjan, Forbes, Gordon, Hilden, Marko and Yahyaei, Mohsen (2023). Identification of semi-autogenous grinding mill operating states using clustering. SAG 2023, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 24-28 September 2023.

Identification of semi-autogenous grinding mill operating states using clustering

2023

Conference Publication

Evaluating throughput benefits and safety aspects of mill liner design for performance

Ndimande, C. B., Hilden, M. and Yahyaei, M. (2023). Evaluating throughput benefits and safety aspects of mill liner design for performance. SAG Conference 2023, Vancouver, BC Canada, 24-28 September 2023.

Evaluating throughput benefits and safety aspects of mill liner design for performance

2023

Conference Publication

Low-cost SAG milling opportunities

Powell, M. S., Mainza, A. N. and Yahyaei, M. (2023). Low-cost SAG milling opportunities. SAG Conference 2023, Vancouver, BC Canada, 24-28 September 2023.

Low-cost SAG milling opportunities

2023

Conference Publication

Will AG milling make a comeback?

Powell, M. S., Mainza, A. N., Tavares, L. M., Yahyaei, M., Weatherley, D. K., Vien, A., Mular, M. and Ballantyne, G. R. (2023). Will AG milling make a comeback?. SAG Conference 2023, Vancouver, BC Canada, 24-28 September 2023.

Will AG milling make a comeback?

2023

Conference Publication

Gravity-induced stirred mill (Towermill) in coarse grinding application

Palaniandy, S., Yahyaei, M., Freund, A., Heinicke, F. and Ishikawa, H. (2023). Gravity-induced stirred mill (Towermill) in coarse grinding application. SAG Conference 2023, Vancouver, BC Canada, 24-28 September 2023.

Gravity-induced stirred mill (Towermill) in coarse grinding application

2023

Conference Publication

Trusted automation, the pathway toward process automation of SABC circuits

Yahyaei, M., Hilden, M. and Forbes, G. (2023). Trusted automation, the pathway toward process automation of SABC circuits. SAG Conference 2023, Vancouver, BC Canada, 24-28 September 2023.

Trusted automation, the pathway toward process automation of SABC circuits

2023

Conference Publication

Trusted automation, the pathway toward process automation of SABC circuits

Yahyaei, M., Hilden, M. and Forbes, G. (2023). Trusted automation, the pathway toward process automation of SABC circuits. SAG 2023, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 24-28 September 2023.

Trusted automation, the pathway toward process automation of SABC circuits

2023

Conference Publication

Improvements in the operation and control of SAG mills in PT Amman Mineral’s Batu Hijau operation using mill load soft sensor

Condori, P., Hilden, M. and Yahyaei, M. (2023). Improvements in the operation and control of SAG mills in PT Amman Mineral’s Batu Hijau operation using mill load soft sensor. SAG Conference 2023, Vancouver, BC Canada, 24-28 September 2023.

Improvements in the operation and control of SAG mills in PT Amman Mineral’s Batu Hijau operation using mill load soft sensor

2023

Journal Article

Digital twins in the minerals industry – a comprehensive review

Qu, Juncong, Kizil, Mehmet S., Yahyaei, Mohsen and Knights, Peter F. (2023). Digital twins in the minerals industry – a comprehensive review. Mining Technology, 132 (4), 267-289. doi: 10.1080/25726668.2023.2257479

Digital twins in the minerals industry – a comprehensive review

2023

Other Outputs

SAG Advanced Process Control review: Final report for Dugald River Mine

Yahyaei, Mohsen, Hilden, Marko, Forbes, Gordon and Meng, Yuhao (2023). SAG Advanced Process Control review: Final report for Dugald River Mine. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Queensland, Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC).

SAG Advanced Process Control review: Final report for Dugald River Mine

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    Optimising future copper production in the NW Mineral Province -Stage 1 scoping
    Queensland Department of Resources
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    DMC Efficiency Improvement Using an Applied Magnetic Field
    Australian Coal Research Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    New Economy Mineral Testing Technology (RTCM Trailblazer project administered by Curtain University)
    Curtin University
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Testing an approach to model liberation across a regrind
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Newcrest - Evaluation of Classification Options
    NewCrest Mining Limited
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2027
    Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer (Trailblazer University Program administered by Curtin University)
    Curtin University
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Soft sensor for Prediciting Dense Medium Cyclones Performance (214-ACARPSOFT)
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2028
    Jameson Cell - Optimising Performance for Base Metal Scavenger Application
    Glencore Technology Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Collaborative Consortium for Coarse Particle Processing Research
    Newmont USA Limited
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2028
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals (ARC Centre of Excellence administered by University of Newcastle)
    University of Newcastle
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2024
    Optimising Comminution Process - Phase 1
    Weir Group IP Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    RhoVol data analysis for modelling
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Mill Filling Inference Tool - Cadia Valley Operations
    NewCrest Mining Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Cyclone Performance Sensor (CycloPS) - Cadia and Vertical Mill Filling Inference Tool (VMillFIT)
    NewCrest Mining Limited
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    A New Cost-Effective Approach for Coal Tailings Dewatering using Semi-Inverted (SIV) Hydrocyclones
    Australian Coal Research Limited
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Liner Design Performance
    Russell Mineral Equipment Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Feed and product characterisation for gravity separation modelling (214AAPGRAVITY)
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Development of integrated process models in IES and technology transfer
    AngloGold Ashanti Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021
    Review of process control
    AngloGold Ashanti Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021
    JK Mill Filling Inference Tool (Mill FIT)
    MMG Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2021
    A Complex Orebodies Review of the Izok Lake Corridor Project (304MMGIZOK)
    MMG Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Technical support and circuit simulation
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Project 19 - Model Training and Tech Transfer
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Project 16 - Dynamic modelling of the comminution process
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Mill Filling Prediction Tool
    SMI International Centre of Excellence in Chile (SMI-ICE-Chile)
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Assessment of the Efficacy of High Voltage Pulse-Assisted Drilling/Cutting
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Evaluation of a novel high voltage pulse device for pre-treatment of drill cores
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2020
    Testing and validation of an ore characterisation test device
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Model development and evaluation in IES
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Overloading phenomena in Ball Mills
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Review of SAG Pilot test work
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Transferring MDK models into IES
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019
    IES Workshop Technology Transfer
    AngloGold Ashanti Australia Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Project No.7 Cyclone classification
    Weir Minerals Australia Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Acoustic mapping of Steel Ball Mill (Phase 1)
    University of New South Wales
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Application of Crusher modelling to an underground operation
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Mt Isa Lead Zinc Concentrator Survey PHASE 1: On site preliminary visit and production of project plan
    Mount Isa Mines Limited
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    P3-007 Validation of mass balance and model calibration in IES (P9Q AR)
    Cooperative Research Centre for Optimising Resource Extraction Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    A PEPT and CFD study of a fluidised bed flotation device
    Anglo American Services (UK) Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    Newcrest - Higher Degree Student Research Round 2
    NewCrest Mining Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Grindcurve survey of the Aitik grinding circuit
    Boliden Mineral AB
    Open grant
  • 2018
    C -18-02 Minas-Rio froth stability column commissioning and troubleshooting (214AACSCCOL) (Project 7)
    Anglo Operations Proprietary Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Model Informed Control Strategy for Coal Flotation (210ACARPMICS)
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2018
    DEM Modelling of stirred mill prototype and alternative stirrer designs
    Weir Minerals Australia Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Process Improvement Toolbox - Technology uptake and embedding (Project 3)
    Anglo Operations Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Mt Isa Copper Concentrator Improvement Projects (GLENCON4) Project 4: Deployment of additional grinding capacity.
    Glencore Technology Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Mt Isa Copper Concentrator Improvement Projects (GLENCON5) Project 5: Regrind optimisation.
    Glencore Technology Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Modelling Iduapriem comminution circuit (214AGAIDUAP)
    Anglo Gold Ashanti Limited
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Mt Isa Copper Concentrator Improvement Projects (GLENCON3) Project 3: Baseline Comminution and Flotation Analysis
    Glencore Technology Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Project 1 Anglo Extension Project - Minas Rio classifier simulations (214AACSMRCS)
    Anglo Operations Proprietary Limited
    Open grant
  • 2017
    Mt Isa Copper Concentrator Improvement Projects: Sampling Surveys of comminution and flotation sections (GLENCONP1.2)
    Glencore Technology Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2021
    Barrick Cortez Mine to Mill Digitization Project
    Barrick Gold Corporation (Canada)
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Translating Research to Industry Tools: Validated Multi-Component Mineral Processing Simulator (AMP9Q)
    Cooperative Research Centre for Optimising Resource Extraction Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Machine learning project
    MIDAS Tech International Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Cadia SAG mill bypass modelling study
    NewCrest Mining Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2022
    Newcrest research higher degree student projects
    NewCrest Mining Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Cadia throughput study
    NewCrest Mining Limited
    Open grant
  • 2015
    Study mechanisms of liner wear under different mill filling and speed
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Improving Liner Design for Efficiency and Life
    Russell Mineral Equipment Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2018
    Anglo American Centre for Sustainable Comminution
    Anglo Operations Proprietary Limited
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2016
    AMIRA P9P - The optimisation of mineral processing by modelling and simulation 2012-2015
    AMIRA International Limited
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Professor Mohsen Yahyaei is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Available projects

  • Effect of Pulp Lifter Design on Mill Performance

    Project Description

    Most AG and SAG mills use a pulp lifter to remove slurry from the mill. Slurry and fine particles (but not the grinding media) pass through grate apertures at the discharge end of the mill to enter a series of radial compartments, then as the mill rotates with the slurry inside and the compartment is upended, the slurry pours out of the mill. Reducing the efficiency of discharge are: 1) flowback, which occurs when slurry pours via the apertures back into the mill before able to be discharged and 2) carryover, which occurs when some of the slurry remains within the compartment often due to the centrifugal effect.

    Various pulp lifter designs are available. In addition to the commonly used radial design, various curved designs offer higher capacity. Furthermore, various chamber designs such as the turbo pulp lifter improve discharge efficiency by reducing flowback and carryover.

    The pulp lifter efficiency influences the slurry level for a given throughput, and therefore the grinding performance. There is therefore a link between the lifter design and metallurgical performance of a mill. Unfortunately, models of pulp lifters are inadequate for design and more work needs to be done to understand how various aspects of pulp lifter design impact on the discharge capacity. Moreover, the link between discharge capacity and the grinding performance also needs to be quantified.

    Project Objectives

    Areas of possible research objectives related to the pulp lifter discharge include:

    1. Quantify the relationship between mill holdup (filling) and discharge using scale experiments. Limitations of previous experimental work in this area include 1) use of spherical media/water mixtures 2) use of flat-ended designs (cone angle = 0 deg) 3) test mills lacking geometric scaling to industrial mills. 3D printing technology, for example, would enable more realistic scale models to be constructed quickly and cheaply. Data can be used for developing mathematical models of pulp lifter discharge.
    2. Gain insights into pulp lifter performance including the effect of grate wear on rates of flowback and discharge using numerical methods (DEM/CFD/SPH), and investigate to what extent grate and pulp lifter design can be used to influence this. Data can be used for developing mathematical models or for comparing or developing improved lifter designs.
    3. Measure SAG mill grinding performance under different slurry discharge rates. For example, a high discharge capacity will result in a lower slurry filling, but a low discharge capacity would result in a higher slurry filling and potentially a slurry pool inside the mill for a given mill filling. Its effect on grinding rates can be studied in a pilot scale mill and/or by analysis of industrial-scale mills surveyed at different times. The outcomes could be used for SAG Mill modelling and for optimising the grate relining and mill speed control strategies employed on mine sites.
    4. Develop a mathematical model of the discharge capacity. This should include the sub-processes of flowback and carryover. The model would be useful for process design and optimisation.
    5. Develop methods to monitor pulp lifter performance, such as through the application of sensors. The methodologies developed can be used for process optimisation and improving SAG mill control strategies.

  • Investigating material transport in tumbling mills

    Project Description

    Neither the SAG mill nor Ball Mill model contain a mechanistic sub-model of mill transport; and the empirical models used presently encompass other discharge mechanisms such as the pulp lifter and flowback in SAG mills and the flow through the trunnion in ball mills. The transport rate determines the ability of particles and slurry to flow through the mill charge and the axial diffusion rate of particles, and is dependent in particular on charge porosity / tortuosity, slurry rheology, and the mill breakage environment. This HDR project proposes to extend both the AG/SAG mill model and the ball mill model with the inclusion of a new transport sub-model based on the theoretical transport equations. A proposed route for modelling is the application of the model being developed by Prof Indresan Govender at UKZN. Govender’s modelling datasets have used bead media therefore the model needs to be tested on real ore slurries and charges containing coarse particles.

    Project Objectives

    The project objectives are to develop experimental test equipment and procedures to measure transport rate, while controlling slurry viscosity; experimentally and numerically validate the Govender mathematical model of mill charge transport for mineral ore slurries and charge containing balls and coarse particles; and incorporate this model into the AG/SAG and ball mill models.

  • Systematic evaluation of advanced grinding circuit control strategies

    Project Description

    A wide range of process control strategies have been developed for stabilising grinding circuits. Various degrees of control technology are applied ranging from simple PID feedback loops to advanced process control systems including expert systems, machine learning and model predictive controllers. The difference with respect to plant production performance can be substantial. However, advanced controllers are usually installed as a control system upgrade and due to their complexity, their performance can be unreliable. It is all too frequent that advanced control systems in grinding circuits are switched off to revert to conventional controllers. This PhD project aims to investigate this problem by analysing industrial case studies of advanced controllers and their effectiveness. This includes simulating the grinding circuits in Matlab/Simulink and developing a set of metrics that allow the effectiveness of the advanced control systems to be evaluated.

    Project Objectives

    This HDR project aims to develop a framework for assessing the effectiveness of different advanced process control strategies and tools to understand how to select process control strategies in grinding circuit applications.

  • Assessing digitisation opportunities for small-scale and conventional operations

    Project Description

    For the past two decades, large mining companies have made major investments in “digitisation” projects to integrate sensor technologies and data flows across their operations with process control and management systems using sophisticated data analytics and upgraded IT infrastructure. The explosion of new advances in this area has seen the recent availability of low-cost hardware based on open standards and high-quality open source software toolsets that can be applied digitisation projects at mine sites. The proposed PhD project will review which digitisation strategies have been successful in the minerals industry and which strategies already used in larger operations can be translated to smaller scale mining and processing operations.

    Project Objectives

    This HDR project is focused at mining companies that have not yet implemented large digitisation/data analytics/big data projects, nor installed centralised process control centres. The project aims to identify specific opportunities and data analytics work flow with the aim of demonstrating the value of digitisation technologies. It is intended that the study will work closely with a small-medium mining company and result in a work-flow and tool set framework for real-time data analytics and case-study implementation of ideas generated during the study.

  • Model informed process control for SAG mills

    Project Description

    Due to the complexity of the process dynamics in most SAG mill circuits, their industrial control systems typically comprise cascaded control loops, and often use some form of expert system or advanced control. This HDR project aims to be a case study for the application of the Model-informed Process Control (MiPC) concept to grinding circuits. The MiPC methodology incorporates dynamic models of processing units into a process control layer linked to process sensor data. The unit models for the grinding and classification units in the circuit are to be based on the latest theoretical phenomenological models developed at SMI-JKMRC. Unlike standard process control loops based on feedback, using mathematical models which are mathematical analogues of the actual process allows the future process state to be predicted. The methodology therefore aims to forward-predict effects of disturbances and respond accordingly, and to infer process conditions that cannot be easily measured with instrumentation such as changes in ore hardness. The project will require the researcher to travel to a mine site to help design an appropriate control strategy, obtain operating data, and to implement process control modifications.

    Project Objectives

    This HDR project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of Model-informed Process Control in stabilising and operating industrial grinding circuits. The project will also investigate opportunities to collect additional sensor data for interacting with the models. It is intended that the study will begin with laboratory or bench-scale developments which will then be extended to an implementation within an industrial milling circuit.

  • Investigating surface breakage of multi-component ore

    Project Description

    Successful optimisation of current comminution circuits and the ability to model and simulate novel and complex circuits is likely to become essential to our need to improve the processing efficiency of ore deposits dramatically. However, our ability to understand and simulate the interactions between ore characteristics and operating factors with process efficiency is still limited to empirical models. A fundamental understanding of the under-pinning mechanisms of size reduction is vital for developing a mechanistic model of comminution. To enable this, an appropriate approach in ore characterisation is critical to experimentally test the breakage under conditions as close as possible to those occurring in the size reduction processes. The drop weight test and JKRBT developed in the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre (JKMRC) are well established for characterising the behaviour of ores in impact and incremental breakage. However, there is no such robust methodology for characterising the surface damage behaviour of rocks. Low energy surface damage, even though it occurs at the lower end of the energy spectrum, has a high frequency of occurrence and plays a significant part during any size reduction process. This project aims to investigate the mechanics of surface damage of various materials under different ranges of stress levels and mechanisms to provide a fundamental understanding of surface damage. Specifically, it aims to study characteristics of the surface damage progeny and develop a methodology to classify ores based on their surface damage behaviour in comminution. The project also aims to apply the understanding of superficial breakage mechanisms to develop a mechanical abrasion model, which is applicable within the UCM’s (Unified Comminution Model) framework.

  • More Projects

    More projects are available on Comminution and Classification, Process modelling, Dynamic Modelling, Advanced Process Control and Digitalisation. For details please conact me,

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Dynamic modelling of Comminution circuits for assessing different control strategies

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Walter Valery

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing a PESTLE-based Model for the Factors that Drive the Implementation of Synergistic Energy Solutions in Australia

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Shabbir Ahmad, Dr Lutfun Nahar Lata

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Dynamic modelling of Comminution circuits for assessing different control strategies

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Adjunct Professor Walter Valery

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Numerical modelling of the influence of stressing mechanisms on preferential and grain boundary breakage

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Marko Hilden, Dr Dion Weatherley

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improvement of overall asset performance through the adjustment of business processes using multidisciplinary dynamic performance indicators.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Knights

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Machine Learning for Identification of Operating States in SABC Circuits

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Marko Hilden, Dr Gordon Forbes

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Investigation of the Performance Drivers of the Jameson Cell in a Base Metal Scavenger Application

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Kym Runge

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Experimental investigation of breakage mechanisms on fracture along grain boundaries

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Dion Weatherley, Dr Marko Hilden

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Developing a Model-Informed Control Strategy for Coal Flotation in a Jameson Cell

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Kym Runge

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Professor Mohsen Yahyaei directly for media enquiries about:

  • Comminution
  • Mill liner design
  • Mill liner wear
  • Mineral processing
  • Surface breakage characterisation

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au