Professor Bill Johnson has been appointed the first MIM Chair in Minerals Engineering at the University of Queensland.
The University and M.I.M. Holdings Limited established the position last year to overcome an Australian shortage of mineral process engineers.
The professorship complements the University's existing chairs in mining geology, mining engineering and materials engineering.
Formerly Minerals Processing Research Manager at MIM's Mount Isa operations (1989-1997), Professor Johnson, 51, is a graduate of the University of Queensland.
Minerals engineering is the essential link between mining engineering, which produces the ore, and materials engineering, which results in finished metal products.
It involves the recovery of minerals containing valuable metals such as copper by processing the ore removed from the ground by mining engineers.
'Minerals engineering should be considered as a separate profession from mining engineering but jobs in the areas are equally well-paid,' Professor Johnson said.
He holds a bachelor of science (first-class honours) from the University (1968) and a PhD in metallurgy (1972). While a student at the University, he won the H.C. Richards Memorial Prize (1967) and the Rutile and Zircon Development Association Ltd Prize (1968). Since 1990, he has been a visiting professor, honorary reader and adjunct professor in the Mining, Minerals and Materials Engineering Department.
His previous positions include senior research scientist with the CSIRO's Division of Mineral Engineering from 1979 before joining MIM as control metallurgist (lead/zinc concentrator) in 1982. In 1990, Professor Johnson won the CSIRO Medal for his participation in the research team which developed the Jameson Flotation Cell. In 1993, he won the AusIMM President's Award.
His research interests include techniques for very fine grinding, analysis of industrial liberation data and methods for improvement of industrial sulphide flotation.
Professor Johnson said he aimed to increase levels of research activity within the Department, attract more undergraduate students and keep courses relevant to industry.
'I am already in contact with a number of companies and the Australian Mineral Industries Research Association (AMIRA) concerning possible research projects. I am also investigating some of the recommendations of the recent Minerals Council of Australia report into tertiary education with a view to their possible implementation within the Department,' he said.
Professor Johnson said his ongoing industry connection, advising MIM operating sites as requested and connections with the operating sites of other companies, would prevent his isolation from industry and assist him in preparing and presenting relevant lectures.
'MIM's contribution to this chair represents the importance the company places on higher education. It is a pro-active example of industry commitment to the education sector,' Professor Johnson said.
University Vice-Chancellor Professor John Hay said the chair in minerals engineering would unlock new opportunities, and enhance the teaching and research relationships between the Department and the University's principal industry research interface, the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre.
Professor Johnson said he would be working closely with the JKMRC on some research projects. He has a joint appointment with the JKMRC and in a reciprocal arrangement, Dr Jean-Paul Franzidis of the JKMRC now has a joint appointment with the Department.
When the chair was announced in 1997, MIM chief executive Nick Stump said that as one of Australia's leading mineral producers, MIM had a strong interest in progressing innovation in minerals production and advancing Australia's exports in this field.
'MIM and its operations, in particular those at Mount Isa, have been committed financial, practical and moral supporters of the University and its Mining and Metallurgical Engineering Department (as it was then known) since its inception in 1949,' Mr Stump said.
'In 1970 MIM provided funds to establish a flagship enterprise, the JKMRC within the Department.
For more information, contact Professor Johnson (telephone 07 3365 3915).
.jpg)
