Presenters
- Dr Paul Shelley, Global VP Innovation, Molycop
- Dr Hamid Pourasiabi, Senior Tribology Engineer, Molycop
- Dr Jeff Gates, Senior Fellow, University of Queensland
- Carlos Garcia, Metallurgical Lab Engineer, Molycop
Topics covered
- What is the BMAT? Its origins, purpose and value.
- BMAT in action: Applications and use cases.
- Strategic vision and global rollout.
- Academic collaboration and the future of testing.
Synopsis
This exclusive round table discussion unpacks how the Ball Mill Abrasion Test (BMAT) delivers faster, more accurate and more relevant test results compared to traditional methodologies, and how it's enabling better decisions in grinding media selection, product development and process optimisation.The assembled experts discuss Molycop’s global investment in BMAT laboratories, the role of innovation in modern mineral processing and how BMAT is shaping the future of R&D in the mining industry.
Presenter
Dr Paul Shelley, Global VP Innovation, Molycop
Dr Paul Shelley is a globally recognised mining industry leader whose work is linked with harnessing digital transformation to meet the future needs of Molycop’s customers. As Global VP Innovation, Dr Shelley is accountable for driving Molycop’s efforts in establishing a pipeline of products and services that will create superior customer value and a sustained competitive advantage for Molycop.
Presenter
Dr Hamid Pourasiabi, Senior Tribology Engineer, Molycop
Dr Pourasiabi is Molycop’s global tribology leader. He has a PhD in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from The University of Queensland. His work experience includes 17+ years of professional engineering, research, development and teaching in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, with specialised expertise in the areas of ferrous/physical metallurgy, foundry and casting, wear, tribology and abrasion science, heat treatment, and evaluation of mechanical, tribological and physical properties of materials.
Presenter
Dr Jeff Gates,Senior Fellow, University of Queensland
Dr Jeff Gates is the Principal and founder of UQ Materials Performance (UQMP). He has extensive experience in consultancy and expert opinion in materials engineering, with a focus on component failure investigations. Dr Gates’ technical and research expertise includes understanding structure-property relationships of alloyed steels and cast irons, specialist microscopic examination of both internal and surface features, and characterisation and mitigation of abrasive wear mechanisms.
Presenter
Carlos Garcia, Metallurgical Lab Engineer, Molycop
Carlos Garcia is a Metallurgical Engineer at Molycop. He holds a Mechanical and Materials Engineering degree from The University of Queensland, Australia. His work focuses on evaluating and understanding the performance of grinding media. Carlos, a member of Molycop’s Innovation team, oversees the Chile Wear Research Lab and is responsible for performance evaluation of grinding media using the Ball Mill Abrasion Test (BMAT). He also serves as Molycop’s Electron Microscopist.
Global VP Innovation
Dr Paul Shelley
Molycop
Dr Paul Shelley is currently the Global Vice President of Molycop. Dr Shelley is a qualified mechanical/materials engineer, graduating with honours from the University of Queensland. He holds an MBA, majoring in Technology Management, and a DBA in Organisational Behaviour, both from Deakin University. He is a strong advocate for innovation and collaboration and his professional interests lie in facilitating a stronger digital mining ecosystem. Dr Shelley has been appointed as an AusIndustry industry expert in the Federal Government’s Accelerating Commercialisation initiative.
Principal Tribology Engineer / Metallurgy Engineer
Dr Hamid Pourasiabi
Molycop
Dr Pourasiabi is Molycop’s global tribology leader. He has a PhD in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering from The University of Queensland. His work experience includes 17+ years of professional engineering, research, development and teaching in Materials and Metallurgical Engineering, with specialised expertise in the areas of ferrous/physical metallurgy, foundry and casting, wear, tribology and abrasion science, heat treatment, and evaluation of mechanical, tribological and physical properties of materials.
Senior Fellow
Dr Jeff Gates
University of Queensland
Dr Jeff Gates is the Principal and founder of UQ Materials Performance (UQMP). He has extensive experience in consultancy and expert opinion in materials engineering, with a focus on component failure investigations (including fracture, wear, corrosion and mixed-mode failures). Dr Gates’ technical and research expertise includes understanding structure-property relationships of alloyed steels and cast irons, specialist microscopic examination of both internal and surface features, and characterisation and mitigation of abrasive wear mechanisms particularly in the mining and minerals processing industries.
Metallurgical Lab Engineer
Carlos Garcia
Molycop
Carlos Garcia is a Metallurgical Engineer at Molycop. He holds a Mechanical and Materials Engineering degree from The University of Queensland, Australia. His work focuses on evaluating and understanding the performance of grinding media. Carlos, a member of Molycop’s Innovation team, oversees the Chile Wear Research Lab and is responsible for performance evaluation of grinding media using the Ball Mill Abrasion Test (BMAT). He also serves as Molycop’s Electron Microscopist, investigating microstructure, defects and damage mechanisms of the manufactured and/or tested grinding media products.