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Peer-reviewed publications

Selected publications in geometallurgy, resource estimation, geostatistics, GeoAI, remote sensing, critical minerals and digital mining.

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The list below highlights selected peer-reviewed outputs. Use the Google Scholar button for the complete and most current publication list, citation metrics and co-authored research record.

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Research themes

Geometallurgy and orebody knowledge
Mineral resource estimation and geostatistics
Machine learning, GeoAI and remote sensing
Critical minerals and mining strategy
Mining innovation and digital transformation

Selected papers

Representative peer-reviewed outputs.

Cards link to Google Scholar for verification, citation counts and co-author publication records.

Metallurgy and process mineralogy

Decoupling the effect of hydraulic oil contamination on the flotation performance of UG2 PGE ore and its interaction with alteration minerals

Tshinavhe, T. A., McFadzean, B., Nwaila, G., & Becker, M. (2024). Minerals Engineering, 216, 108881.

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Mineral prospectivity

Mineral reconnaissance through scientific consensus: First national prospectivity maps for PGE–Ni–Cu–Cr and Witwatersrand-type Au deposits in South Africa

Nwaila, G. T., Zhang, S. E., Bourdeau, J. E., Carranza, E. J. M., Enslin, S., & Manzi, M. S. D. (2024). Natural Resources Research, 1–28.

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Exploration geochemistry

Data generation for exploration geochemistry: Past, present, and future

Bourdeau, J. E., Zhang, S. E., Nwaila, G. T., & Ghorbani, Y. (2024). Applied Geochemistry, 106124.

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Critical minerals

A systematic framework for compilation of critical raw material lists and their importance for South Africa

Nwaila, G. T., Bourdeau, J. E., Zhang, S. E., Chipangamate, N., & Valodia, I. (2024). Resources Policy, 93, 105045.

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GeoAI

Denoising of geochemical data using deep learning—Implications for regional surveys

Zhang, S. E., Bourdeau, J. E., Nwaila, G. T., Parsa, M., & Ghorbani, Y. (2024). Natural Resources Research, 33(2), 495–520.

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Uncertainty

Workflow-induced uncertainty in data-driven mineral prospectivity mapping

Zhang, S. E., Lawley, C. J. M., Bourdeau, J. E., Nwaila, G. T., & Ghorbani, Y. (2024). Natural Resources Research, 1–29.

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Critical minerals

The strategic role of lithium in the green energy transition: Towards an OPEC-style framework for green energy-mineral exporting countries

Ghorbani, Y., Zhang, S. E., Bourdeau, J. E., Chipangamate, N. S., Rose, D. H., & Nwaila, G. T. (2024). Resources Policy, 90, 104737.

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Digital mining

Integrated and intelligent remote operation centres: Assessing the human–machine requirements for 21st-century mining operations

Shimaponda-Nawa, M., & Nwaila, G. T. (2024). Minerals Engineering, 207, 108565.

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Resource estimation

Spatial interpolation using machine learning: From patterns and regularities to block models

Nwaila, G. T., Zhang, S. E., Bourdeau, J. E., Frimmel, H. E., & Ghorbani, Y. (2024). Natural Resources Research, 33(1), 129–161.

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Geometallurgy

Fire and water: Geometallurgy and extractive metallurgy

Chetty, D., Nwaila, G. T., & Xakalashe, B. (2023). Elements, 19(6), 365–370.

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Digital mining

A framework for measuring the maturity of real-time information management systems in the mining industry

Shimaponda-Nawa, M., Nwaila, G. T., Zhang, S. E., & Bourdeau, J. E. (2023). The Extractive Industries and Society, 16, 101368.

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Exploration geochemistry

Predictive geochemical exploration: Inferential generation of modern geochemical data, anomaly detection and application to northern Manitoba

Bourdeau, J. E., Zhang, S. E., Lawley, C. J. M., Parsa, M., Nwaila, G. T., & Ghorbani, Y. (2023). Natural Resources Research, 32(6), 2355–2386.

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Remote sensing

Big geochemical data through remote sensing for dynamic mineral resource monitoring in tailing storage facilities

Zhang, S. E., Nwaila, G. T., Agard, S., Bourdeau, J. E., Carranza, E. J. M., & Ghorbani, Y. (2023). Artificial Intelligence in Geosciences, 4, 137–149.

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Remote sensing

Deriving big geochemical data from high-resolution remote sensing data via machine learning: Application to a tailing storage facility in the Witwatersrand goldfields

Zhang, S. E., Nwaila, G. T., Bourdeau, J. E., Ghorbani, Y., & Carranza, E. J. M. (2023). Artificial Intelligence in Geosciences, 4, 9–21.

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Critical minerals

Emerging criticality: Unraveling shifting dynamics of the EU’s critical raw materials and their implications on Canada and South Africa

Zhang, S. E., Bourdeau, J. E., Nwaila, G. T., & Ghorbani, Y. (2023). Resources Policy, 86, 104247.

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