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
2013
Conference Publication
Bioavailability of arsenic in mine tailings
Huynh, Trang and Edraki, Mansour (2013). Bioavailability of arsenic in mine tailings. enviromine2013: 3rd International Seminar on Environmental Issues in Mining, Santiago, Chile, 4-6 December, 2013. Santiago, Chile: Gecamin.
2013
Conference Publication
Contaminant release from sulfidic mine tailings: column experiments and geochemical modelling
Forsyth, Bronwen, Edraki, Mansour, Baumgartl, Thomas and Lassabaterre, Laurent (2013). Contaminant release from sulfidic mine tailings: column experiments and geochemical modelling. enviromine2013: 3rd International Seminar on Environmental Issues in Mining, Santiago, Chile, 4-6 December, 2013. Santiago, Chile: Gecamin.
2013
Journal Article
Comparative sorption of Pb and Cd by biochars and its implication for metal immobilization in soils
Park, Jin Hee, Choppala, Girish, Lee, Seul Ji, Bolan, Nanthi, Chung, Jae Woo and Edraki, Mansour (2013). Comparative sorption of Pb and Cd by biochars and its implication for metal immobilization in soils. Water, Air and Soil Pollution, 224 (12) 224, 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s11270-013-1711-1
2013
Conference Publication
Designing mine tailings through collaborative research
Edraki, Mansour, Huynh, Trang, Baumgartl, Thomas, Huang, Longbin, Andrusiewicz, Michal, Tungpalan, Kate, Tayebi-Khorami, Maedeh, Wightman, Elaine, Palaniandy, Sam, Manlapig, Emmanuel, Evans, Cathy, Farrokhpay, Saeed, Bradshaw, Dee and Vink, Sue (2013). Designing mine tailings through collaborative research. enviromine2013: 3rd International Seminar on Environmental Issues in Mining, Santiago, Chile, 4-6 December, 2013. Santiago, Chile: Gecamin.
2012
Other Outputs
An investigation of the monosulfidic black ooze and associated sulphur in stream sediments of Mt Leyshon mine environment
Edraki, Mansour, Zhao, Lu and Noller, Barry (2012). An investigation of the monosulfidic black ooze and associated sulphur in stream sediments of Mt Leyshon mine environment. Brisbane, Australia: The University of Qeensland.
2012
Other Outputs
Surface validation survey of remediated contaminated sites at Mt Leyshon Mine, for Newmont Asia Pacific
Edraki, M., Zhao, L. and Noller, B. (2012). Surface validation survey of remediated contaminated sites at Mt Leyshon Mine, for Newmont Asia Pacific.
2012
Conference Publication
Sustainable phytostabilisation of mine tailings – a critical analysis of system requirements and approaches
Huang, L., Baumgartl, T., Edraki, M. and Mulligan, D. (2012). Sustainable phytostabilisation of mine tailings – a critical analysis of system requirements and approaches. Life of Mine Conference (AusIMM), Brisbane, Australia, 10-12 July 2012. Carlton North, VIC, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).
2012
Conference Publication
The role of inhalation pathway in human health risk assessment of lead from mining activities at a semi-arid location
Zheng, J., Edraki, M., Huynh, T., Gasparon, M., Ng, J., Harris, H. H., Mormon, S., Plumlee, G. S. and Noller, B. N (2012). The role of inhalation pathway in human health risk assessment of lead from mining activities at a semi-arid location. 1st International Conference on Contaminated Land, Ecological Assessment and Remediation (CLEAR 2012), Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, 4-8 November 2012.
2012
Other Outputs
Site specific water quality guidelines for Mt Leyshon Mine, for Newmont Asia Pacific
Edraki, M., Zhao, L. and Noller, B. (2012). Site specific water quality guidelines for Mt Leyshon Mine, for Newmont Asia Pacific. Brisbane, Australia:
2012
Conference Publication
Geochemistry of tailings and seepage from three tailings storage facilities in Australia - Uncapped, capped and active tailings
Edraki, M., Forsyth, B., Baumgartl, T. and Bradshaw, D. (2012). Geochemistry of tailings and seepage from three tailings storage facilities in Australia - Uncapped, capped and active tailings. Life of Mine Conference (AusIMM), Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 10-12 July 2012. Carlton North, VIC, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).
2012
Conference Publication
Mapping and prioritising rehabilitation of abandoned mines in Australia
Unger, C., Lechner, A. M., Glenn, V., Edraki, M. and Mulligan, D. (2012). Mapping and prioritising rehabilitation of abandoned mines in Australia. Life of Mine Conference (AusIMM), Brisbane, Australia, 10-12 July 2012. Carlton North, VIC, Australia: The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM).
2012
Conference Publication
Fingerprinting acid mine drainage in wet-dry tropical climates using stable isotope approach: an example from Queensland, Australia
Phong, Pham H., Mansour, Edraki, Barry, Noller and Suzanne, Golding (2012). Fingerprinting acid mine drainage in wet-dry tropical climates using stable isotope approach: an example from Queensland, Australia. 9th International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage, Ottawa, ON, Canada, 20-26 May 2012. Ottawa, ON, Canada: International Conference on Acid Rock Drainage.
2011
Conference Publication
Development of a textural index for the prediction of acid rock drainage
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita K., Edraki, Mansour, Walters, Steve and Bradshaw, Dee (2011). Development of a textural index for the prediction of acid rock drainage. Kidlington, Oxford, United Kingdom: Pergamon. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2011.04.019
2011
Conference Publication
A hydrogeochemical review of riverine mine tailings deposition at Freeport Indonesia
Rusdinar, Yuni, Edraki, Mansour, Baumgartl, Thomas and Mulligan, David (2011). A hydrogeochemical review of riverine mine tailings deposition at Freeport Indonesia. Enviromine 2011, 2nd International Seminar on Environmental Issues in the Mining Industry, Santiago, Chile, 23-25 November 2011. Santiago, Chile: Gecamin.
2011
Conference Publication
Development of a textural acid rock drainage index for classifying acid formation
Parbhakar-Fox, Anita, Edraki, Mansour, Bradshaw, Dee and Walters, Steve (2011). Development of a textural acid rock drainage index for classifying acid formation. 10th International Congress for Applied Mineralogy, Trondheim, Norway, 1-5 August 2011. Trondheim, Norway: International Congress for Applied Mineralogy. doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-27682-8_61
2011
Conference Publication
Development of national abandoned mines inventory for risk modelling
Lechner A M, Unger C J, Edraki M, Fletcher A and Mulligan D (2011). Development of national abandoned mines inventory for risk modelling. Acid Mine Drainage Workshop, Darwin, June 2011. JK Tech, University of Queensland.
2011
Conference Publication
The formation, fate and effects of 'FLOC' from acid mine drainage on stream waters
Edraki, Mansour, Noller, Barry N., Huynh, Trang and Haymont, R. (2011). The formation, fate and effects of 'FLOC' from acid mine drainage on stream waters. 7th Australian Workshop on Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD), Darwin, NT, Australia, 21-24 June 2011. Brisbane Australia: JKTech.
2011
Conference Publication
Understanding the long-term seepage chemistry of base metal mine tailings in a semi-arid tropical climate, Mount Isa, Australia
Forsyth, B., Edraki, M. and Baumgartl, T. (2011). Understanding the long-term seepage chemistry of base metal mine tailings in a semi-arid tropical climate, Mount Isa, Australia. 7th Australian Workshop on Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD), Darwin, Australia, 21-24 June 2011. Indooroopilly, QLD, Australia: JKTech.
2011
Conference Publication
Comparison of bioaccessibility using PBET and x-ray absorption techniques for risk assessment of selected lead containing materials
Zheng, Jiajia, Edraki, Mansour, Huynh, Trang, Gasparon, Massimo, Ng, Jack, Harris, Hugh H. and Noller, Barry (2011). Comparison of bioaccessibility using PBET and x-ray absorption techniques for risk assessment of selected lead containing materials. GSA Annual Meeting and Exposition (GSA11, 2011), Minneapolis, MN, U.S.A., 9-12 October 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Environmental and social geology approach for sustainable development of porphyry copper deposits
Mollehuara Canales, Raul, Edraki, Mansour and Franks, Daniel M. (2011). Environmental and social geology approach for sustainable development of porphyry copper deposits. Enviromine 2011 - 2nd International Seminar on Environmental Issues in the Mining Industry, Santiago, Chile, 23-25 November 2011. Santiago, Chile: Gecamin.
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 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
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: Associate Professor James Vaughan, Dr Mandana Shaygan
-
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
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
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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