Moshood Onifade

Fully Funded PhD Opportunity in Underground Mining at Federation University Australia This industry-funded PhD project focuses on Oxidation Behaviour of Broken Ore in Sub-Level Open Stopes (SLOS) at CSA Mine , in collaboration with Harmony Gold Mining Company Limited and its CSA Mine operations. The research is based at Federation University Australia and is designed for candidates interested in Mining Engineering , Rock Mechanics , Geochemistry , Mineral Processing , Geomechanics , and related fields. The project addresses a practical underground mining challenge: how oxidation and cementation of broken ore affect ore flow, production scheduling, productivity, and resource recovery. The successful PhD candidate will work on a real-world industry problem with direct operational impact, including underground sample collection, laboratory oxidation testing, mineralogical and geochemical characterisation, environmental monitoring, and predictive modelling. Funding: This is a fully funded PhD scholarship for three years, with a possible 6-month extension. The stipend is $50,000 per year (tax free, paid fortnightly), made up of a $40,000 base stipend plus a $10,000 top-up from Federation University. The project also includes $3,000 per year in research support and tuition fee coverage through RTP fee-offset or a tuition scholarship, depending on student status. Eligibility: Applicants must be eligible for a PhD and willing to study full-time. Preferred backgrounds include Mining Engineering, Geological Engineering, Geology, Metallurgical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Environmental Engineering. Experience in laboratory testing, geochemistry, mineralogy, data analysis, or mine operations is an advantage. Application: Applications are open. Interested candidates should contact Associate Professor Manoj Khandelwal before submitting an application and then follow the instructions on the scholarship page. Supervisory team: A/Prof Manoj Khandelwal, A/Prof Moshood Onifade, and Martinus Larsen (Harmony Gold – CSA Mine).