Our programs
The research initiative encompasses four interconnected programs aimed at advancing mining equipment technology and performance through innovative approaches in materials, simulation, artificial intelligence, and safety.
Program 1 focuses on developing advanced steel composites for mining applications, including impact strength, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance.
Program 2 is dedicated to the advancement of simulation techniques and manufacturing processes for mining equipment.
Program 3 explores the integration of artificial intelligence and data-driven technologies to enhance equipment effectiveness.
Program 4 addresses safety, maintainability, and reliability in mining environments.
Innovation in material design, fabrication and evaluation of performance
Two types of steel composites will be developed. Composite-1 consists of white cast iron/Mn steels as a compositing metal and low carbon steel as a base metal, and composite-2 is composed of dual-phase stainless steel, ie compositing metal and high strength steel.
Key researchers and partners
Key CI
J. Yoon (Deakin);
CIs
J. Zhang (UNSW), C. Zhang (UOW), Z. Jiang (UOW), G. Zhang (UOW), S. Karekal (UOW), R. Yang (WSU), Y. Zhang (WSU), L. Su (UOW);
POs
Bisalloy, Roobuck, Baosteel, HBIS, Komatsu, Top Iron and Australia L&Y.
Focus areas
Impact strength test
Researchers: Key CIs from Deakin, UNSW, and UOW and 1 HDR student
Industry partners: PIs from Roobuck and Bisalloy
Steel composite design and manufacturing
Researchers: CIs from WSU and UOW and 1 HDR student
Industry partners: PI from Bisalloy, Baosteel, and HBIS
Corrosion test and material characterisation analysis
Researchers: CIs from UOW, UNSW, and 1 HDR student
Industry partners: PIs from Komatsu, Top Iron, and Australia L&Y
Wear resistance, deformation analysis and mechanism research
Researchers: 1 ICPD and 3 HDR students
Advanced simulation and manufacturing innovation
This program is focusing on the development of novel composites for mining equipment, theoretical analysis, multiscale simulation, and practical hot forming, heat treatment and shaping of mining equipment parts and components.
Key researchers and partners
Key CI
H. Huang (UQ);
CIs
M. Lu (UQ), J. Zhang (UNSW), Z. Jiang (UOW), A. Remennikov (UOW), J. Yoon (Deakin), J. Robertes (UOW); POs: Baosteel, HBIS, Bisalloy, Roobuck, Komatsu and SNS.
Focus areas
Theoretical and mechanism analysis of the forming behaviour of steel composites
Researchers: Key Cls from UOW, UQ, Deakin and UNSW, 2 HDR students
Industry partners: Baosteel and HBIS
Multiscale numerical simulation and hot forming behaviour of steel composites
Researchers: Key Cls from UOW, UQ and Deakin, 1 ICPD and 2 HDR students
Industry partners: Roobuck, Komatsu, Bisalloy and HBIS
Heat treatment of the processed composites
Researchers: Key Cls from UOW and UNSW, 1 HDR student
Industry partners: SNS and Bisalloy
Novel manufacturing process development of steel composites
Researchers: Key Cls from UOW and Deakin, 1 HDR student
Industry partners: Komatsu, Roobuck and Baosteel
Artificial intelligence-based and data-driven solutions for mining equipment utilisation
This program focuses on artificial intelligence-based and data-driven applications for improving overall equipment effectiveness with the combination of mine automation, smart drilling technologies, smart sensors, and big data analytics.
Key researchers and partners
Key CI
T. Ren (UOW);
CIs
P. Knights (UQ), M. Kizil (UQ), G. Si (UNSW), S. Karekal (UOW), V. Pareek (Curtin), M. Karakus (Adelaide);
POs
Roobuck, Komatsu, SNS and Top Iron.
Focus areas
Mine automation and roadway development
Researchers: Key Cls from UOW, UQ and Adelaide, 1 ICPD, 1 HDR student
Industry partners: Komatsu, Roobuck
Smart sensors and smart drilling
Researchers: Key Cls from UOW, UQ and UNSW, 1 HDR student
Industry partners: SNS and Top Iron
Big data analytics
Researchers: Key Cls from UOW and Curtin, 1 HDR student
Industry partners: SNS and Roobuck
Safety, maintainability and reliability of mining equipment (3 HDRs)
Key researchers and partners
Key CI
M. Karakus (Adelaide);
CIs
M. Kizil (UQ), T. Ren (UOW), S. Karekal (UOW), V. Pareek (Curtin), G. Si (UNSW), D. Hastie (UOW);
POs
Baosteel, Bisalloy, Roobuck, Komatsu, SNS and Australia L&Y.
This program focuses on resource extraction environments, mine safety and maintenance and reliability engineering studies.
Focus Areas
Control of mining equipment operational environments
Researchers: UQ, UNSW, and 1 HDR
Industry Partners: SNS and Australia L&Y
Personnel and equipment safety of underground mining operations
Researchers: UOW and UQ with 1 HDR
Industry Partners: Roobuck and Baosteel
Assessment of the safety, reliability, and performance of mining equipment
Researchers: Curtin and UOW, and 1 HDR
Industry Partners: Komatsu, Bisalloy, SNS, and Australia L&Y
Focus areas
Impact strength test
Researchers: Key Cls from Deakin, UNSW, and UOW and 1 HDR student
Industry partners: Pls from Roobuck and Bisalloy
Control of mining equipment operational environments
Researchers: Key Cl from Adelaide, Cls from UQ and UNSW, with 1 HDR student
Industry partners: Pls from SNS and Australia L&Y
Personnel and equipment safety of underground mining operations
Researchers: Cls from UOW and UQ, with 1 HDR student
Industry partners: Pls from Roobuck and Baosteel
Assessment of the safety, reliability, and performance of mining equipment
Researchers: Cls from Curtin and UOW, and 1 HDR student
Industry partners: Pls from Komatsu, Bisalloy, SNS, and Australia L&Y