The Sustainable Minerals Institute has mourned the passing of Emeritus Professor Alban Lynch as a legend in mining research and innovation.
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Prof Lynch was the driving force behind The University of Queensland's Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre named for the former Mount Isa Mines manager, and he was mentor to many students who have gone on to senior roles in the mining industry around the world.
"Alban was ahead of his time both in terms of technical innovation and in recognising the need to collaborate with industry," the Institute said in a statement.
"He encouraged his students to work on site and trusted them to find solutions to their research challenges. He led by example and in so doing established the JKMRC as an international leader in mining research."
Prof Lynch started work at The University of Queensland in 1959 in the newly established Mineral Research Facility at the UQ Mine Site at Indooroopilly, which was no more than a tin shed in those days.
He developed the P9 research project and successfully pitched it to the newly formed industry body - Amira.
Over the course of the next few years Alban built a research project team who formed the foundation upon which was built the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre.
The JKMRC was established in 1970 and officially opened in 1971, with Alban as the first director, a role he held until 1990.
"Alban remained an active member of the JKMRC community throughout his life, and as recently as February he joined us online to celebrate the JKMRC's 50th anniversary," the Institute said.
His achievements include:
1978 President's Award from the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM)
1985 Richards Award from the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers[6]
1989 AusIMM Distinguished Speaker Exchange Program
1991 AusIMM Sir Willis Connolly Medal
1993 Institute Medal from the AusIMM
1999, Officer in the Order of Australia "for service to the mining industry, particularly in the area of research and education"
2000 AM Gaudin Award from the Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, "for his many contributions to the simulation and control of comminution and flotation circuits."
2004, Honorary Fellowship from the AusIMM "in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the minerals Industry over many years which has previously been recognised through 50 years membership in 2004."
1989, President, AusIMM
2010, Lifetime Achievement Award of the International Mineral Processing Congress[8]
2013, International Mining Hall of Fame induction
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
