Associate Professor Italo Onederra
Associate Professor

Italo Onederra

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54780

Background

Associate Professor Italo Onederra serves as the Director of the Centre for Future Autonomous Systems and Technologies (FAST) at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering. He leads a research group focused on improving mineral extraction methods with reduced environmental impact through advanced preconditioning and fragmentation techniques.

Recognised internationally as a specialist in explosives and blasting engineering technology, Italo holds a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) with honours from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Engineering Science and PhD from the University of Queensland. With over 25 years of R&D experience and consulting work in Australia, South America, Africa, and Europe, Italo has demonstrated exceptional leadership and impact in both research and industry. He has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, contributed to technical reports and books, and co-invented novel nitrogen oxide-free explosives based on hydrogen peroxide. Italo is also known for developing fragmentation modelling techniques, which have been incorporated into commercial software used globally by industry and academia, as well as pioneering the use of physics engines in blast movement modelling to improve ore control and maximise recovery.

Availability

Associate Professor Italo Onederra is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Resources engineering and extractive metallurgy

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, University of Melbourne
  • Masters (Coursework) of Engineering, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland

Research interests

  • Advanced preconditioning and fragmentation

    Associate Prof. Italo Onederra leads a multidisciplinary research team working towards the development of novel mineral extraction techniques that will have minimal environmental impact. Central to this vision is understanding and developing innovative thinking around the fundamental mechanisms of explosive induced rock preconditioning and fragmentation. Assoc. Prof Italo Onederra is well recognised in this area and currently leads an industry funded project in collaboration with Standford Research Institute (USA) and Imperial College (London).

  • Advanced fragmentation modelling

    Assoc. Prof. Italo Onederra has for many years been involved in the development of advanced fragmentation modelling techniques applied by industry in process optimisation methods such as Mine to Mill. He has developed one of the only underground specific fragmentation models embedded in commercial software that is used by industry and academia in over 60 countries.

  • Blasting to minimise geotechnical risks

    Assoc. Prof. Italo Onederra leads research funded by the Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP). The main objective is to develop industry guidelines and practical tools to minimise geotechnical risks and improve blasting outcomes.

  • Alternative explosive formulations

    Assoc. Prof. Italo Onederra has pioneered with his ex PhD research student (Dr Miguel Araos) the development of novel explosive formulations to eliminate nitrogen oxide emissions (fumes) after rock blasting. The Australian Coal Association Research Program (ACARP) contributed significantly to this research as it is an issue affecting surface mining operations. The idea involved replacing ammonium nitrate with hydrogen peroxide as the main oxidizer in explosives. One of the main challenges of the technology is stability over long periods. To that end we have looked at different alternatives such as manufacturing higher density prills using different types of cross-linkers, sustainable fuels and surfactants. The pioneering research has had significant impact with research centres around the world investing in further developments.

  • Application of controlled energetics in novel comminution systems

    Innovation in mineral extraction will require new ways to reduce energy consumption in downstream comminution processes. Controlled energetics provides a unique opportunity for future mineral extraction techniques. Assoc. Prof. Onederra is leading applied research and innovative thinking in this area

  • Experimental work to study rock dynamic reponse under confinement

    In collaboration with Stanford Research Institute (SRI), Assoc. Prof. Italo Onederra is commissioning a unique experimental capability at the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering to study the dynamic response of rock samples under confinement. The aim is to improve our understanding of the extent of explosive induced fracturing at depth which is dierctly applicable to the work in advanced preconditioning and fragmentation.

Research impacts

  • Leading international multidisciplinary collaborations that have allowed the establishment of unique experimental facilities to study blast preconditioning and fracturing under confinement, leading new research fields in the application of energetic materials to address big challenges facing the mining sector as it transitions to net zero emissions
  • Developed and published a number of explosive rock breakage and fragmentation models which have been implemented by industry. Improvements in modelling capability that have been adopted in site specific Mine to Mill projects that have added significant value to industry including better management of energy consumption in the extraction process.
  • Part of the team that developed tools and models in commercial blasting software (JKSimBlast) that is now used in over 60 countries. In 2017, there were 264 clients with 771 users around the world. This tool has made a significant impact in both academic and industry based training with the ability to conduct design, desktop simulations and analysis quickly and effectively
  • Co-inventor and chief investigator of leading research on novel explosives that will eliminate and/or minimise hazardous nitrogen oxide fumes during blasting. The development of this technology based on hydrogen peroxide has been recognised as one of the few potentially disruptive technologies in the mining and civil construction industries with significant OHS&E benefits.

Search Professor Italo Onederra’s works on UQ eSpace

126 works between 1995 and 2024
All (126) Journal Article (43) Conference Publication (48) Other Outputs (35)

1 - 20 of 126 works

Featured

2016

Journal Article

Modelling of preconditioning by blasting in block and panel caving

Catalan, Alex and Onederra, Italo (2016). Modelling of preconditioning by blasting in block and panel caving. Mining Technology: Transactions of the Institutions of Mining and Metallurgy: Section A, 126 (2), 59-76. doi: 10.1080/14749009.2016.1252556

Modelling of preconditioning by blasting in block and panel caving

Featured

2016

Journal Article

Empirical approach to estimate rock mass damage from long-hole winze (LHW) blasting

Fullelove, Iain, Onederra, Italo and Villaescusa, Ernesto (2016). Empirical approach to estimate rock mass damage from long-hole winze (LHW) blasting. Mining Technology Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Transactions. Section A, 126 (1), 34-43. doi: 10.1080/14749009.2016.1211228

Empirical approach to estimate rock mass damage from long-hole winze (LHW) blasting

Featured

2015

Journal Article

Evaluating pre-split performance through direct measurements of near field acceleration, particle velocity and gas pressure

Onederra, I. A., Catalan, A. and Quidim, J. (2015). Evaluating pre-split performance through direct measurements of near field acceleration, particle velocity and gas pressure. Mining Technology, 125 (2), 1-11. doi: 10.1179/1743286315Y.0000000023

Evaluating pre-split performance through direct measurements of near field acceleration, particle velocity and gas pressure

Featured

2015

Conference Publication

Detonation and breakage performance of a hydrogen peroxide-based explosive formulation

Onederra, Italo A. and Araos, M. (2015). Detonation and breakage performance of a hydrogen peroxide-based explosive formulation. International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, Sydney, Australia, 24-26 August 2015. Melbourne, VIC, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

Detonation and breakage performance of a hydrogen peroxide-based explosive formulation

Featured

2015

Journal Article

Implementation of leading practice in geotechnical and blasting performance evaluations and the Centinela sulphide mine

Catalan, A. and Onederra, I A. (2015). Implementation of leading practice in geotechnical and blasting performance evaluations and the Centinela sulphide mine. Mining Technology, 125 (3), 1-18. doi: 10.1179/1743286315Y.0000000025

Implementation of leading practice in geotechnical and blasting performance evaluations and the Centinela sulphide mine

Featured

2014

Journal Article

Development of a novel mining explosive formulation to eliminate nitrogen oxide fumes

Araos, Miguel and Onederra, Italo (2014). Development of a novel mining explosive formulation to eliminate nitrogen oxide fumes. Mining Technology, 124 (1), 1-8. doi: 10.1179/1743286314Y.0000000074

Development of a novel mining explosive formulation to eliminate nitrogen oxide fumes

Featured

2014

Journal Article

Measuring blast fragmentation at Esperanza mine using high-resolution 3D laser scanning

Onederra, I., Thurley, M. J. and Catalan, A. (2014). Measuring blast fragmentation at Esperanza mine using high-resolution 3D laser scanning. Mining Technology, 124 (1), 34-46. doi: 10.1179/1743286314Y.0000000076

Measuring blast fragmentation at Esperanza mine using high-resolution 3D laser scanning

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Modelling blast induced damage from a fully coupled explosive charge

Onederra, Italo A., Furtney, Jason K., Sellers, Ewan and Iverson, Stephen (2013). Modelling blast induced damage from a fully coupled explosive charge. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, 58, 73-84. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrmms.2012.10.004

Modelling blast induced damage from a fully coupled explosive charge

Featured

2013

Journal Article

Modelling fracturing, disturbed and interaction zones around fully confined detonating charges

Onederra, I., Catalan, A. and Chitombo, G. (2013). Modelling fracturing, disturbed and interaction zones around fully confined detonating charges. Mining Technology, 122 (1), 20-32. doi: 10.1179/1743286312Y.0000000021

Modelling fracturing, disturbed and interaction zones around fully confined detonating charges

Featured

2012

Conference Publication

Blast induced fragment conditioning to improve leaching performance

Parra, Hector, Onederra, Italo, Michaux, Simon, McFarlane, A, Kuhar, L. and Chapman, N. (2012). Blast induced fragment conditioning to improve leaching performance. MININ2012 V International Conference on Innovation in Mine Operations, Santiago, Chile, 20-22 June 2012.

Blast induced fragment conditioning to improve leaching performance

2024

Conference Publication

Enhancing preconditioning strategies in block and panel caving: bridging the gap from research to operational excellence

Catalan, Alex and Onederra, Italo (2024). Enhancing preconditioning strategies in block and panel caving: bridging the gap from research to operational excellence. 9th International Conference and Exhibition on Mass Mining, Kiruna, Sweden, 17 - 19 September 2024. Luleå, Sweden: LKAB and Lulea University of Technology.

Enhancing preconditioning strategies in block and panel caving: bridging the gap from research to operational excellence

2024

Conference Publication

Evolution of blast induced rock mass damage prediction techniques in underground mining

Yiran Zhu and Italo Onederra (2024). Evolution of blast induced rock mass damage prediction techniques in underground mining. PROCEEDINGS OF THE ISRM ROCK MECHANICS SYMPOSIUM 2024 EUROCK 2024, Alicante, Spain, 15-19 July 2024. 4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN: CRC Press/Balkema. doi: 10.1201/9781003429234

Evolution of blast induced rock mass damage prediction techniques in underground mining

2023

Journal Article

Assessment of capillary rise in rocks by Time Lapse Digital Imaging

López, Paulo, Mitchel, Travis, Leonardi, Christopher and Onederra, Italo (2023). Assessment of capillary rise in rocks by Time Lapse Digital Imaging. Minerals Engineering, 204 108434, 108434. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108434

Assessment of capillary rise in rocks by Time Lapse Digital Imaging

2023

Conference Publication

Understanding the impact of floor disruption blasting on low wall slope stability

Zhu, Y., Chen, Z., Onederra, I. and Chacon, F. (2023). Understanding the impact of floor disruption blasting on low wall slope stability. 12th EFEE World Conference on Explosives and Blasting, Dublin, Ireland, 10-12 September 2023. Wien, Austria: European Federation of Explosives Engineers.

Understanding the impact of floor disruption blasting on low wall slope stability

2023

Conference Publication

Ignition mechanism for non-ideal explosives

Araos, M. and Onederra, I. (2023). Ignition mechanism for non-ideal explosives. 12th EFEE World Conference on Explosives and Blasting, Dublin, Ireland, 10-12 September 2023. Wien, Austria: European Federation of Explosives Engineers.

Ignition mechanism for non-ideal explosives

2023

Journal Article

An experimental investigation of the fluid accessibility of preconditioned sulphide copper ores

López, Paulo, Araos, Miguel, Leonardi, Christopher and Onederra, Italo (2023). An experimental investigation of the fluid accessibility of preconditioned sulphide copper ores. Minerals Engineering, 200 108142, 1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108142

An experimental investigation of the fluid accessibility of preconditioned sulphide copper ores

2023

Journal Article

Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN), Part II: Semantic segmentation using a 2.5D CNN

Roslin, A., Marsh, M., Provencher, B., Mitchell, T. R., Onederra, I. A. and Leonardi, C. R. (2023). Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN), Part II: Semantic segmentation using a 2.5D CNN. Minerals Engineering, 195 108027, 108027. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108027

Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN), Part II: Semantic segmentation using a 2.5D CNN

2023

Journal Article

Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN). Part III: Enhancement of Scanco micro-CT images of granodiorite rocks using a 3D convolutional neural network super-resolution algorithm

Roslin, A., Lebedev, M., Mitchell, T.R., Onederra, I.A. and Leonardi, C.R. (2023). Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN). Part III: Enhancement of Scanco micro-CT images of granodiorite rocks using a 3D convolutional neural network super-resolution algorithm. Minerals Engineering, 195 108028, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108028

Processing of micro-CT images of granodiorite rock samples using convolutional neural networks (CNN). Part III: Enhancement of Scanco micro-CT images of granodiorite rocks using a 3D convolutional neural network super-resolution algorithm

2023

Journal Article

Geotechnical analysis of blasting sequence and resulting shapes of drawbells in block cave mines

Bustos, Nadia, Villaescusa, Ernesto and Onederra, Italo (2023). Geotechnical analysis of blasting sequence and resulting shapes of drawbells in block cave mines. Mining Technology, 132 (2), 121-131. doi: 10.1080/25726668.2023.2185383

Geotechnical analysis of blasting sequence and resulting shapes of drawbells in block cave mines

2023

Journal Article

Quantifying the permeability enhancement from blast-induced microfractures in porphyry rocks using a cumulant lattice Boltzmann method

Mitchell, T. R., Roslin, A., Łaniewski-Wołłk, , Onederra, I. and Leonardi, C. R. (2023). Quantifying the permeability enhancement from blast-induced microfractures in porphyry rocks using a cumulant lattice Boltzmann method. Transport in Porous Media, 146 (3), 587-615. doi: 10.1007/s11242-022-01875-4

Quantifying the permeability enhancement from blast-induced microfractures in porphyry rocks using a cumulant lattice Boltzmann method

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2026
    Leading Practice in Hard Rock Preconditioning
    Technological Resources Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Project C35022 Quantifying the Hoek-Brown Disturbance factor for coal measures through an integrated laboratory and numerical modelling approach
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2023
    Advanced Blast Modelling and Geotechnical Analysis Tools
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Optimisation of drill hole bathymetry probe
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Sub-scale Rock Fragmentation Tests
    SRI International
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Rock mass preconditioning and fragmentation
    BHP Billiton Group Operations
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2021
    Development of guidelines and tools to improve blasting outcomes and reduce geotechnical risks
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2019
    Drill Hole Bathymetry Probe Project Brief
    Innovation Connections
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Mine Based Trials of Alternative Explosive Formulations to Eliminate Nitrogen Oxide Emissions
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    NOx Fume Evolution from Hydrogen Peroxide Based Hybrid Mixtures Involving Ammonium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrate and Calcium Nitrate
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Technological improvements for rock tensile strength measurement
    University of Adelaide
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2018
    Alternative and sustainable explosive formulations to eliminate nitrogen oxide emissions
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2022
    CRCMining 2014-2022
    CMTE Development Limited
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Alternative and sustainable explosive formulations to eliminate nitrogen oxide emissions
    Australian Coal Association Research Program
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2012
    A method to assess and minimise the potential for fume generation from blasting
    CSIRO
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    ResTeach 2011 0.15 FTE School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering
    UQ ResTeach
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Italo Onederra is:
Available for supervision

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Available projects

  • Stress wave attenuation and interaction in fragmented media

    Description to be provided to prospective candidates

  • Explosive induced fracturing under confinement

    Description to be provided to prospective candidates

  • Explosive induced fracturing under confinement

    Description to be provided to prospective candidates

Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Design Step Changes to Achieve Safer, Faster and Lower-Cost Establishment in Block Cave Mining Under Extreme Conditions

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Quantifying the impact of both stress and gas loading on preconditioning by confined blasting

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen

  • Master Philosophy

    Influence of the nitrate type on the critical diameter of emulsion explosives

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Zhongwei Chen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Integration of Pre-concentration Systems into Mining Operations

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Mehmet Kizil, Dr Micah Nehring

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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