Mine Multiphysics: Advanced Multiphysics Systems
for Sustainable Minerals & Energy Extraction

Welcome to Mine Multiphysics research group at the Department of Mining and Materials Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec Canada.

 

Mine Multiphysics: Advanced Multiphysics Systems for Sustainable Minerals & Energy Extraction research group, led by Professor Agus P Sasmito, focuses on the experimental and computational modeling studies of multiscale and multiphysics problems of industrial interest, especially in mining, minerals and energy extraction engineering. The current interests include, but not limited to, mine ventilation, heating, cooling, freezing and drying, geo-energy, energy systems (conventional and renewable/alternative power sources), artificial ground freezing, slurry/paste transport, minerals processing, materials handling, industrial transport processes and thermal fluid sciences & engineering.

The group aims to introduce open innovations, leading cutting-edge research, solutions, technological as well as manpower development in mining, minerals and energy extraction industries with respect to sustainability, energy savings, environmental, health & safety, productivity and cost.

Industry collaborations are an essential part of our work. They provide us with challenging projects that are relevant to industry, while also helping our industry partners realize tangible competitive advantages. When industry collaborates with us, they significantly multiply their company’s research dollars and gain access to our expertise and facilities and top graduate and undergraduate students. Collaboration can accelerate industry’s research and development, and provide access to grants that leverage company’s research dollars. To learn more, click here.

Located in the heart of Montreal City, Mine Multiphysics research group enjoys the diversity of a multicultural environment with vibrant world class talents and facilities of the world renowned and the oldest Mining Engineering Program in North America at McGill University.

Our Research

Ventilation

To facilitate proper design of a mine ventilation and total air-conditioning system, it is necessary to develop in-depth knowledge of the flow direction to be used, pressure drop as a results of various obstacles, possibility of presence of any kind of fire and explosion, presence of harmful gases (such as methane in coal mines, radon and diesel emissions) and temperature-humidity profile at various location underneath (depending on the geographical location) as well as heating in winter and cooling in summer.​

Energy

Mining is an energy intensive process. One unexplored way to reduce energy consumption – and to some extent also to reduce carbon footprint – is to look for alternative energies in mining energy systems. Prof Sasmito’s expertise in multiscale and multiphysics modeling of transport processes will contribute to the development of novel “tools” required to tackle these challenges and will lead to great advancements in knowledge and innovation in mining energy systems. For example, the use of renewable energy systems for mine ventilation, heating and cooling purposes such as seasonal thermal energy storage, geothermal energy and mine waste heat recovery systems could significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint of the mines and could lead to more sustainable mining practices.

Environment

Our group also concern on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from mining and mineral industries, pollution reduction, mine waste treatment, sustainability and recycling.