Current supervision

Luis Canales (Master in Mining). Mine-to-mill modelling for an IOCG Deposit.

Francisca Rojas (Master in Mining). Coarse particle flotation liberation modelling

Prospective students, have a look at the Projects section and contact me HERE 

Completed supervisions

2026

18. Sebastian Samur (Master in Mining). DEM modelling of mechanical properties of ores at the particle scale. Pia Lois, Gonzalo Diaz, Magin Torres

17. Gerardo San Martín (Master in Mining). A workflow development for the integration of hyperspectral information into Geomet. Pia Lois, Gonzalo Diaz, Rocio Vargas

16. Ignacio López Olivares (Master in Mining). Development of a phenomenological model for liberation prediction using non-random algorithms. Advisory Team: Pia Lois, Gonzalo Diaz, Magin Torres

2025

15. Nicolas Rojas (Master in Mining). Analysis of Microtextural and Mechanical Variability in Igneous Rocks and High-Performance Concretes. Advisory Team: Pia Lois, Kimie Suzuki, Dario Zambrano. Media article 

14. Fernando Stocker (Master in Mining). Particle Geometalurgical approach applied to commnution by indirect compression and traction testing in a IOCG deposit. Advisory Team: Pia Lois, Kimie Suzuki, Brian Townley and Nadia Mery.

13. Valeria Moreno. (Geology Honours). Process mineralogy applied to the characterization of transitional mineralogical zones at Quebrada Blanca Phase II. Pia Lois-Morales, Luis Fernando Barra, Rodrigo Castagno, Regina Baumgartner

12. Javiera Bustos. (Geology Honours). Pore ​​and Fracture Measurement in Mineralized Particles of an Iocg Deposit using SENSOR3D Applied to Computed Tomography Data . Advisory Team. Pia Lois, Brian Townley, Gonzalo Diaz.

11. Boris Calbul (Mining Engineering and Extractive metallurgy Honours). Magotteaux Mill: Validation, Applicability and Projection as a Geometallurgical Testing Platform.Advisory Team. Sergio Moraga, Pia Lois, Alonso Pinto.

2024

10. Sergio Flores (Master of Mining). Influence of geological and mechanical pre-peak properties on post-peak behaviour of fragile ores. Advisory Team: Kimie Suzuki, Pia Lois-Morales, Javier Vallejos and Lorena Burgos

9. Diego Mora (Geology Honours). Using microtomography and deep learning analysis on rock particles for phases and fracture tracking. Advisory Team: Pia Lois-Morales, Lucas Pereira  and  Brian Townley

8. Valentina Chacana (Geology Honours). Characterization of the effect of geological properties for the ore-sorting technology.  Advisory Team: Pia Lois-Morales, Priscila Esteves  and  Brian Townley

7. Sebastian Samur (Mining Engineering and Extractive metallurgy Honours). Modeling primary comminution properties using advanced characterization and machine learning techniques. Advisory Team: Pia Lois-Morales, Gonzalo Diaz  and  Magin Torres

6. Juan Francisco Ríos (Geology Honours). Studying the chemical behaviour of pulps on an Iron-ore deposit using the Magotteaux Mill. Advisory Team: Sergio Moraga, Pia Lois-Morales and  Brian Townley

5. Diego Cortez (Mining Engineering and Extractive metallurgy Honours). Study of factors that influence throughput on SAG mill, Andina Mina-Chile.  Advisory Team: Pia Lois-Morales, Luis Felipe Orellana and  Alonso Pinto

4. Belén Herrera (Mining Engineering and Extractive metallurgy Honours). Prediction of the composition of the stockpile material using machine learning models. Advisory Team: Luis Felipe Orellana, Pia Lois-Morales and  Claudio Gajardo

2023

3. Javier Jerez (Geology Honours), Liberation simulation using a non-random method. Advisory Team: Pia Lois-Morales, Gonzalo Diaz  and  Brian Townley

2. Natalie Tapia (Geology Honours), Study of liberation and factors that affect it in Los Bronces deposit, Chile. Advisory Team: Pia Lois-Morales,  Brian Townley, Javier Pizarro

2022

1. Hugo Bart (Mining Engineering and Extractive metallurgy Honours). Application of a multistage phenomenological model to predict standard comminution tests. Advisory Team: Pia Lois-Morales and Gonzalo Diaz

Industry Training

As Academic Director of the Diploma in Geo-Mining-Metallurgy at the University of Chile, I contributed to the development and improvement of an interdisciplinary programme integrating geology, mining engineering, mineral processing and metallurgy. My role included academic coordination, curriculum development and teaching.

I have also delivered specialised training in process mineralogy, mineral characterisation and geometallurgy for mining professionals, including contributions to Metcelerate and other industry education programmes in Chile and Latin America.

Beyond technical training, I have participated in corporate geometallurgy improvement workshops, facilitating discussions on existing practices, operational challenges and opportunities to strengthen geometallurgical workflows and implementation across mining operations.

For industry training and workshops, contact me HERE