Overview
Background
Dr Mansour Edraki is a geo-environmental scientist specialising in the field of inorganic geochemistry. He joined UQ following completion of his PhD at the University of New England. Prior to that, and before immigrating to Australia, he was a lecturer in earth sciences. Since joining UQ, Dr Edraki has focused on developing innovative techniques for understanding and predicting geochemical processes that underpin sustainable management of mine waste and mine water, particularly acid and metalliferous drainage. Mansour’s research has direct applications for the resources and energy industries and the impact of his work is evident in a continuous flow of industry-funded projects in the last decade. Dr Edraki has initiated research collaborations in many international locations including Indonesia (South Kalimantan and Freeport), Iran (Mehdiabad Zinc) Papua New Guinea (Ok Tedi), Philippines (USEP and Mindanao Development Authority), Korea (MIRECO and KIGAM), Peru (INGEMET), and Chile (Fundación Chile, Universidad de Concepción). Dr Edraki represents SMI-UQ at the International Network for Acid Prevention (INAP), which is a global alliance for managing the issue of acid and metalliferous drainage. He leads SMI's Environmental Geochemistry Group.
Availability
- Professor Mansour Edraki is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, Shiraz University
- Masters (Coursework) of Science, Shiraz University
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of New England Australia
- Postgraduate Diploma, The University of Queensland
Research interests
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Dr Mansour Edraki’s research interest is in understanding and predicting the source, transformations and fate of contaminants, particularly acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD), in the mining environment. Through field monitoring, laboratory experiments and modelling he follows the geochemical pathways of heavy metals, metalloids (e.g. arsenic) and salts and investigates the natural processes that may degrade the quality of surface and groundwater and natural soils. Mansour uses that knowledge to quantify the extent of the current and future effects of those processes for optimum remediation and rehabilitation outcomes. Specific areas of research include: Geochemical effects of clay minerals on deposition, dewatering and rehabilitation of tailings; Formation and stability of secondary minerals and amorphous phases and their role in natural attenuation of metals (and metalloids) and remediation of mine tailings and associated seepage; Novel techniques for characterisation and prediction of AMD including development of kinetic leaching procedures; Applications of stable isotope techniques in AMD investigations; A life cycle approach to managing mine tailings – Designer Tailings; and Unlocking the value of mining wastes and eliminating residual risks through reprocessing, recycling, reuse and remediation.
Works
Search Professor Mansour Edraki’s works on UQ eSpace
2021
Conference Publication
An integrated protocol for the assessment of mobility and risks of potentially toxic elements in mine tailings
Rubinos, D., Jerez, Ó., Forghani, G., Edraki, M. and Kelm, U. (2021). An integrated protocol for the assessment of mobility and risks of potentially toxic elements in mine tailings. 10th Australian Workshop on Acid and Metalliferous Drainage, Online, 22-25 June 2021.
2021
Other Outputs
Beneficial Reuse Options for Coal Combustion Products (Stage 1); Final report to Stanwell Corporation Limited (SCL)
Edraki, Mansour and Levett, Alan (2021). Beneficial Reuse Options for Coal Combustion Products (Stage 1); Final report to Stanwell Corporation Limited (SCL) . Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland .
2021
Journal Article
Geochemical stability of potentially toxic elements in porphyry copper-mine tailings from Chile as linked to ecological and human health risks assessment
Rubinos, David A., Jerez, Oscar, Forghani, Giti, Edraki, Mansour and Kelm, Ursula (2021). Geochemical stability of potentially toxic elements in porphyry copper-mine tailings from Chile as linked to ecological and human health risks assessment. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 28 (41), 57499-57529. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-12844-7
2021
Journal Article
Lead mobilization and speciation in mining waste: experiments and modeling
Drapeau, Clémentine, Argane, Rabei, Delolme, Cécile, Blanc, Denise, Benzaazoua, Mostafa, Hakkou, Rachid, Baumgartl, Thomas, Edraki, Mansour and Lassabatere, Laurent (2021). Lead mobilization and speciation in mining waste: experiments and modeling. Minerals, 11 (6) 606, 606. doi: 10.3390/min11060606
2021
Other Outputs
Unlocking the value of mining wastes at abandoned mines of Queensland-Wolfram Camp tungsten mine
Edraki, Mansour (2021). Unlocking the value of mining wastes at abandoned mines of Queensland-Wolfram Camp tungsten mine. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland .
2021
Conference Publication
Prediction of long-term salt generation from coal spoils
Edraki, Mansour, Jain, Karan, McIntyre, Neil, Hilton, Melinda, Buamgartl, Thomas and Shaygan, Mandana (2021). Prediction of long-term salt generation from coal spoils. Life of Mine, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 28-30 April 2021.
2021
Other Outputs
Tailings desulfurisation for progressive rehabilitation Final Report for Mount Isa Mines Ltd
Mansour Edraki (2021). Tailings desulfurisation for progressive rehabilitation Final Report for Mount Isa Mines Ltd . Brisbane : The University of Queensland .
2021
Journal Article
Is the aquatic macrophyte Crassula helmsii a genuine copper hyperaccumulator?
Corzo Remigio, Amelia , Edraki, Mansour , Baker, Alan J. M. and van der Ent, Antony (2021). Is the aquatic macrophyte Crassula helmsii a genuine copper hyperaccumulator?. Plant and Soil, 464 (1-2), 359-374. doi: 10.1007/s11104-021-04955-4
2021
Other Outputs
Scale up leaching tests for spoil salinity predictions
Edraki, Mansour, McIntyre, Neil and Jain, Karan (2021). Scale up leaching tests for spoil salinity predictions . Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland .
2021
Journal Article
ANC–BNC titrations and geochemical modeling for characterizing calcareous and siliceous mining waste
Drapeau, Clémentine, Delolme, Cécile, Vézin, Clément, Blanc, Denise, Baumgartl, Thomas, Edraki, Mansour and Lassabatère, Laurent (2021). ANC–BNC titrations and geochemical modeling for characterizing calcareous and siliceous mining waste. Minerals, 11 (3) 257, 257-16. doi: 10.3390/min11030257
2021
Conference Publication
Investigation of geotechnical, hydromechanical, and chemical behaviour of polymer-treated tailings
Boshrouyeh Ghandashtani, M., Edraki, M., Costine, A. and Baumgartl, T. (2021). Investigation of geotechnical, hydromechanical, and chemical behaviour of polymer-treated tailings. International Conference on Paste, Thickened and Filtered Tailings, Fremantle, WA, Australia, 21-23 September 2021. Perth, WA, Australia: Australian Centre for Geomechanics. doi: 10.36487/acg_repo/2115_08
2020
Other Outputs
Moranbah post-mining land use collaborative project - Baseline Works
Côte, Claire Madeleine, Everingham, Jo-Anne, Svobodova, Kamila, Worden, Sandy, Asmussen, Pascal, Shaygan, Mandana, Paz, Anat, Pagliero, Liliana, Edraki, Mansour and Erskine, Peter (2020). Moranbah post-mining land use collaborative project - Baseline Works. Brisbane, QLD Australia: Sustainable Minerals Institute.
2020
Journal Article
Staged electrochemical treatment guided by modelling allows for targeted recovery of metals and rare earth elements from acid mine drainage
Brewster, Emma Thompson, Freguia, Stefano, Edraki, Mansour, Berry, Luke and Ledezma, Pablo (2020). Staged electrochemical treatment guided by modelling allows for targeted recovery of metals and rare earth elements from acid mine drainage. Journal of Environmental Management, 275 111266, 111266. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.111266
2020
Journal Article
Stable isotope imprints during pyrite leaching: implications for acid rock drainage characterization
Ódri, Ágnes, Becker, Megan, Broadhurst, Jennifer, Harrison, Susan T. L. and Edraki, Mansour (2020). Stable isotope imprints during pyrite leaching: implications for acid rock drainage characterization. Minerals, 10 (11) 0982, 982-20. doi: 10.3390/min10110982
2020
Other Outputs
Unlocking the value of mining wastes at abandoned mines of Queensland – Wolfram Camp tungsten mine
Edraki, Mansour, Golev, Artem and Han, Zhengdong (2020). Unlocking the value of mining wastes at abandoned mines of Queensland – Wolfram Camp tungsten mine. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2020
Other Outputs
Agua y relaves una mirada de futuro estrategia de gestión hídrica y de relaves det 2050
Bourke, Pam, Corder, Glen, Cote, Claire, Edraki, Mansour, Littleboy, Anna, Mackenzie, Sarah, McIntyre, Neil, Miraldo Ordens, Carlos, Pagliero, Liliana and Vink, Sue (2020). Agua y relaves una mirada de futuro estrategia de gestión hídrica y de relaves det 2050. Santiago, Chile: SMI ICE Chile.
2020
Journal Article
Phytoextraction of high value elements and contaminants from mining and mineral wastes: opportunities and limitations
Corzo Remigio, Amelia, Chaney, Rufus L., Baker, Alan J. M., Edraki, Mansour, Erskine, Peter D., Echevarria, Guillaume and van der Ent, Antony (2020). Phytoextraction of high value elements and contaminants from mining and mineral wastes: opportunities and limitations. Plant and Soil, 449 (1-2), 11-37. doi: 10.1007/s11104-020-04487-3
2020
Journal Article
Improved water recovery: A review of clay-rich tailings and saline water interactions
Liu, Di, Edraki, Mansour, Fawell, Phillip and Berry, Luke (2020). Improved water recovery: A review of clay-rich tailings and saline water interactions. Powder Technology, 364, 604-621. doi: 10.1016/j.powtec.2020.01.039
2020
Other Outputs
Simulated weathering of coated sulfidic shales, report for Rio Tinto Iron Ore
Edraki, Mansour, Williams, David and Zhan, Chenming (2020). Simulated weathering of coated sulfidic shales, report for Rio Tinto Iron Ore. Brisbane, QLD Australia: The University of Queensland.
2020
Journal Article
Guidance for the Integrated Use of Hydrological, Geochemical, and Isotopic Tools in Mining Operations
Wolkersdorfer, Christian, Nordstrom, Darrell Kirk, Beckie, Roger Daniel, Cicerone, Daniel S., Elliot, Trevor, Edraki, Mansour, Valente, Teresa, França, Silvia Cristina Alves, Kumar, Pramod, Lucero, Ricardo Andrés Oyarzún and Soler i Gil, Albert (2020). Guidance for the Integrated Use of Hydrological, Geochemical, and Isotopic Tools in Mining Operations. Mine Water and the Environment, 39 (2), 204-228. doi: 10.1007/s10230-020-00666-x
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Mansour Edraki is:
- Available for supervision
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Available projects
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Honours, Masters, and PhD projects
Geochemical Characterisation and Microbial Community of Coal Tailings from Bowen Basin, Queensland
The Bowen Basin in Queensland, known for its substantial coal reserves, plays a significant role in the state's economy, with coal exports reaching $71.8 billion in 2021-22. As some mines approach the end of their productive life, there is a crucial need for Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plans (PRCP). This study assesses the physical, geochemical, and microbial aspects of selected coal tailings in the Bowen Basin. It aims to understand how the interaction of microbial activities, mineralogy, and moisture influences the chemical stability of coal tailings storage facilities.
Improved Predictions of Acid and Metalliferous Drainage for Greenfield Projects Inform Better Design of Waste Rock Dumps
The greenfield sites pose additional challenges beyond the common shortcomings of industry-standard kinetic leaching procedures used for Acid and Metalliferous Drainage predictions. The design of waste rock dumps is often not finalized, and the hydrological properties concerning water percolation and gas advection in the dumps are not well understood. This study investigates how closely the hydrological conditions of waste rock dumps, such as intrinsic permeability, liquid-to-solid ratio, and residence time, can be simulated in the laboratory to derive design parameters.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Alternative Mineral Processing Strategies for Copper- Gold Tailings Management
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alexander Scheuermann, Dr Christian Antonio
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Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Physical and Chemical Properties of Polymer Amended Tailings
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Applications of stable isotopes geochemistry to understand environmental geochemical impacts associated with mine waste in Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mandana Shaygan
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Doctor Philosophy
Improved Prediction, Remediation and Closure of Acid and Neutral Metalliferous Drainage (AMD/NMD) Sites by Examination of Mine Waste Behaviour at the Meso-scale
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
Alternative uses of mine influenced water
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mandana Shaygan, Professor Gordon Southam
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Doctor Philosophy
Prediction of the geochemical cycles of critical elements in acid and metalliferous drainage
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mandana Shaygan
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Doctor Philosophy
Alternative mineral processing strategies for copper-gold tailings management
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Christian Antonio, Professor Alexander Scheuermann
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Doctor Philosophy
Alternative Mineral Processing Strategies for Copper- Gold Tailings Management
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alexander Scheuermann, Dr Christian Antonio
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Doctor Philosophy
Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) treatment utilising synthetic membrane technology
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Denys Villa Gomez
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Doctor Philosophy
Improved Predictions of Acid and Metalliferous Drainage for Greenfield Projects Inform Better Design of Waste Rock Dumps
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mandana Shaygan
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Doctor Philosophy
Remediation of metal-rich mine-affected water with passive systems, testing the role of hyper-accumulator plants for improved efficiency
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Claire Cote, Dr Robynne Chrystal
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Alternative Mineral Processing Strategies for Copper- Gold Tailings Management
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alexander Scheuermann, Dr Christian Antonio
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Physical and Chemical Properties of Polymer Amended Tailings
Principal Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Geochemical investigation of abandoned tungsten mining wastes for metal recovery and rehabilitation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gordon Southam
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the salt generation and release dynamics from coal mine spoils
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Neil McIntyre
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Predicting salt generation from coal mine spoil heaps in a semi-arid climate, Central Queensland, Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Neil McIntyre
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Geochemical Pathways of Contaminants through Weathering of Uranium Tailings
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Barry Noller
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
The Response of Tropical Wetlands to the Geochemical Conditions of Discharged Water from Nickel Laterite Mines
Principal Advisor
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Natural attenuation of arsenic in sulphide tailings with alkaline gangue under extreme wet and dry conditions
Principal Advisor
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2016
Master Philosophy
Understanding the Potential Effects of Mining on Water Quality in the Altayan and Taplan Catchments, Philippines
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Neil McIntyre
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Geochemical Processes Controlling the Distribution and Long Term Stability of Heavy Metals in Mine Tailings Deposited in Rivers; the case study of ModADA, Papua, Indonesia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor D Lockington
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding the Long-Term Seepage Geochemistry of Base Metal Mine Tailings in a Semiarid Subtropical Climate, Mount Isa, Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor D Lockington, Associate Professor Barry Noller
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Chemical and stable isotope investigation of sources, transport and release of contaminants in acid mine drainage, Mount Leyshon, Queensland, Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Sue Golding, Associate Professor Barry Noller
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Geochemical and hydrological changes in ageing sulfidic mine tailings in two contrasting climates
Joint Principal Advisor
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2022
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating the potential for surface water contamination due to flood-tailings interactions
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Neil McIntyre
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Selective flotation of enargite from copper sulphides in complex ore systems
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Liza Forbes
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
The potential use of mine wastes as cover materials in a water-shedding cover configuration as applied in a seasonally wet but arid environment setting
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Alexander Scheuermann
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Lead from Mining and Mineral Processing Activities to the Community via the Air-dust Pathway: An Example from Mount Isa City Using Human Health Risk Assessment Approach
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Barry Noller
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Mansour Edraki directly for media enquiries about:
- Environmental geochemistry
- Geochemistry - environmental
- Hydrogeochemistry of mine-related pollution
- Mine waste - hydrogeochemistry
- Mine waste management
- Mine-related pollution
- Mined land rehabilitation
- Mining - contamination
- Mining - environment
- Pollution - from mining
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