[DMANET] PhD Scholarship (APAI) - Maximising value in underground mine planning - The University of Melbourne

PhD Scholarship (APAI)
The University of Melbourne

Maximising value in underground mine planning.

Scholarship Description
An exciting opportunity is available to an enthusiastic, talented student to help improve the efficiency and value of Australian mines and reduce financial risk in a highly volatile minerals market. This research will contribute to the development of commercial software which will enhance the reputation of Australia's $2 billion mining products and services industry. The University of Melbourne is offering an APAI PhD scholarship to work on a recently commenced ARC Linkage Project (2014-2017) which will address some of the issues faced in underground mine planning. While integrated optimisation of design and production in open cut mining is well established, no equivalent capability is available for underground mines. This project will develop innovative techniques to optimise the design of the access network and the production scheduling in an underground mine in order to maximise value over the life of the operation. One of the possible areas of research is a generalisati!
on of the obstacle avoidance problem; designing minimum cost curvature and gradient constrained paths through a series of regions, where the cost of constructing and supporting a path varies from region to region. The practical outcome will be new strategic software tools for the sector, underpinning increased efficiency and sustainability of our mines as well as international competitiveness. In the long term, these tools will change the way underground mine planning is carried out, and the basis on which key design decisions are made.

The project is run by the University of Melbourne in collaboration with the Australian mining companies Rand Mining and Tribune Resources. The student will have an opportunity to work with the industry partners and will benefit from the advice of mining engineers in the field, as well as a site visit. Suitable applicants should have a strong background in applied mathematics, operations research, engineering or an equivalent field.

Study Subject: Maximising value in underground mine planning.
Provided By: The University of Melbourne
To be undertaken at: The University of Melbourne.
Level: Post Graduate (Research)

Availability
This scholarship is offered once only to one person. Open for applications from October 13, 2014 until November 28, 2014.

Payment Information
The value of this scholarship is AUD26000 (minimum per annum). This award is to be used for living expenses. This scholarship is paid fortnightly for the period of up to 3 years, with the possibility of a 6 month extension if required.

Research Information
This scholarship is for research in the field of Applied Mathematics or Systems Engineering. Your study would begin early in 2015.

Eligibility
This scholarship is for study in Australia for those who have achieved Honours 1 or equivalent, or Honours 2A or equivalent.

Application Details
To apply for this scholarship you must refer to scholarship description. Terms and conditions are subject to change. Always confirm details with scholarship provider before applying.

Main Contacts:

Prof Doreen Thomas,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
The University of Melbourne,
Victoria 3010, Australia.
Email: doreen.thomas@unimelb.edu.au<mailto:doreen.thomas@unimelb.edu.au>

Prof Hyam Rubinstein,
Department of Mathematics and Statistics,
The University of Melbourne,
Victoria 3010, Australia.
Email: rubin@ms.unimelb.edu.au<mailto:rubin@ms.unimelb.edu.au>

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