Academic records
Academic records
My research focuses on comprehending the main geological and application of stresses over the breakage process at scales relevant to comminution. For that, I combine the analysis of quantitative geological information with physical and soon numerical experiments.
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3936-0604
Under review
13. Stocker F., Lois-Morales P., Suzuki K., Effect of sample size and geological characteristics on the mechanical and elastic properties of Iron-bearing minicores. Under review at Powder technology.
12. Mora D., Lois-Morales P., Moraga S-, Godinho José R. A. , Pereira L.. Estimation of fracture propagation during impact testing using X-ray microtomography. Under review at Minerals Engineering, process mineralogy special issue.
11. Ríos J.F., Moraga S., Lois Morales P., Avendaño . Stabilization of pulp chemistry during grinding according to mineralogy. Under review at Minerals Engineering, process mineralogy special issue.
10. 2026. Samur S., Lois-Morales P., Diaz G. Modeling of Minimum Fracture Energy Distribution Through Advanced Characterization and Machine Learning Techniques. Minerals. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/min16020134
9. 2025. Stocker F., Lois-Morales P., Suzuki K. Geological characterization methods for IOCG samples, resolution comparison and considerations for productive stages of mining . International Journal of Mining, Reclamation and Environment. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/17480930.2025.2518988
8. 2024. Flores S., Suzuki K., Lois-Morales P. Influence of index properties of semi-quantitative geological characteristics of brittle rocks on their post-peak behavior. Rock mechanics and rock engineering, springer. DOI: 10.1007/s00603-024-03879-6
7. 2023. Estay, H., Lois-Morales, P., Montes-Atenas, G. Ruiz del Solar, J. On the challenges of applying machine learning in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy. Minerals MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/min13060788
6. 2023. Lois-Morales, Weatherly D., Evans C. Quantifying the relationship between particles' strength and their mineralogical and textural characteristics. Minerals Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2023.108113
5. 2023. Yanten, Kracht, Diaz, Lois-Morales, Egana. Froth images from flotation laboratory test in Maggoteaux cell. Data MDPI. https: //doi.org/10.3390/data8040069
4. 2022. Lois-Morales, Weatherley D., Evans C. Methodology for quantitative ore characterisation using multiple imaging systems and random particles generation. MethodsX. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mex.2022.101807
3. 2022. Lois-Morales, Weatherley D., Evans C. Analysis of the size–dependency of relevant mineralogical and textural characteristics to particles' strength. Minerals Engineering 184. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mineng.2022.107572
2. 2021. Lois-Morales, Weatherley D., Evans C. Characterising tensile strength and elastic moduli of altered igneous rocks at comminution scale using the Short Impact Load Cell. Powder Technology 388C. 10.1016/j.powtec.2021.04.091
1. 2020. Lois-Morales, Weatherley D., Bonfils, B., Evans C. The impact load cell as a tool to link comminution properties to geomechanical properties of rocks. Minerals Engineering 148. 10.1016/j.mineng.2020.106210
2024. Rios J.F., Moraga S., Lois Morales P., Avendano M., Oral presentation and extended abstract en Proceedings Conferencia International Process Mineralogy (MEI). Capetown SouthAfrica. Stabilization of pulp chemistry during grinding according to mineralogy.
2024. Mora D., Lois Morales P., Godinho J., Pereira L. Oral presentation and extended abstract en Proceedings Conferencia International Process Mineralogy (MEI). Capetown SouthAfrica. Estimation of fracture propagation during impact testing using X-ray microtomography.
2024. Lois Morales P., Samur S., Bart H., Stocker F., Poster and Short abstract en Proceedings Conferencia International Process Mineralogy (MEI). Capetown SouthAfrica. Using mineralogical characterization for predicting breakage properties of rock particles.
2023. Bart, Lois-Morales, Diaz. Using an energy-to-fracture particle approach for characterizing the comminution potential of ores.PROCEMIN-GEOMET Conference 2023
2022. Lois-Morales P., Weatherly D., Evans C. Towards unlocking the value of detailed characterization data for comminution and geometallurgical modelling. Oral presentation and Proceedings of the 16th Biennial Meeting of SGA (Society for Geology applied to mineral deposits). Rotorua, New Zealand.
Books Participation
2019. Estay H., Lois-Morales P., Montes-Arenas, G. Capitulo: “Big data en Procesamiento de Minerales”, Libro: Big Data en Minería. ISBN: 978-956-19-1185-7. Beauchef Minería.
A complete list of publications and conferences participation can be found at ResearchGate
QGeo - Geology Quantifier (Open Source Application)
Copyrigth 2023 by Dr Pia Lois-Morales and Dr Kimie Suzuki
Title: "Rock/Water interaction during grinding and its physicochemical and geochemical impacts in flotation: Escondida porphyry case"
Advisory Team: Dr Brian Townley, Dr Willy Kracht, Dr Julian Ortiz, Mr Duber Jofré
Abstract: The present study evaluated the use of hydrogeochemical models to determine the impacts of different mineralogical units on the physicochemical conditions of the pulp during grinding. The results of the models were compared with grinding experimental data, where Eh and pH of the pulp were measured before and after grinding.
The results indicate that in this complex system, sulphides have the largest effect on the physicochemistry of the pulp. The model suggests that the oxidation of iron, copper, sulphur and oxygen; the hydrolysis and formation of hydroxides of aluminium, calcium, iron, magnesium; and the precipitation of sulphides, and silicates could be controlling the physicochemical conditions of the pulp.
This project considered:
Heavy particle-water physicochemical interaction modelling using PHREEQC and Geochemist workbench modelling software.
Statistical analysis and visualization using Leapfrog and IoGas software.
Title: "Development of a geometallurgical approach for comminution using primary breakage properties of ores"
Advisory Team: Dr Catherine Evans, Dr Dion Weatherley, Dr Ben Bonfils
Abstract: A new approach for geometallurgy applied to comminution is explored in this thesis; this approach combines quantitative ore characterisation information with the primary breakage properties of rocks (i.e. strength, stiffness) to assess their comminution behaviour. Particles strength and stiffness of ten samples across a range of particle sizes were analysed. The results indicate that the elongation of the mineral grains, the physical properties of the individual minerals and the physical contrast between adjacent grains are the most relevant variables to predict the primary breakage properties. This work contributes to the development and application of fundamental comminution to geometallurgical models.
This project considered:
Geological core logging and experimental design
Comminution experimentation using the SILC test, RBT test and DWT.
Geotechnical testing (UCS and Brazilian test)
Petrography of rocks using a Digital optical microscope.
SEM-based (MLA) and X-ray tomography imaging.
Heavy image analysis processing of rocks using Matlab, Avizo (3D) and eCognition
Heavy data analysis in Python and Matlab.
PhD thesis was awarded the best thesis in mineral processing of Australia of 2020 and the Ian Morley Prize 2018