Congratulations - Student Awards

Published in the Research School of Physics Event Horizon
Vol42 Issue46 28 November–2 December 2016

ANU PhD students Heyang Li (Thomas) and Robin Candy have won the Phase-X Challenge sponsored by BHP Billiton. 

Mr. Li (submitted his PhD in the Department of Applied Mathematics in September) and Mr. Candy (2nd year in his PhD in the Research School of Computer Science) have won $35,000 by coming first in the challenge. 

They competed with 284 participants from 52 other cities and 20 different countries.

In the Unearthed Phase-X Mine Design Online Challenge drawn from the BHP's real life operational data and mine planning scenarios. Teams across the globe competed to create the best algorithm for optimising open pit mining phases.

Thomas says, "I investigated the problem in different length and time scales to find an economically beneficial open-pit mining sequence. This multi-scale approach coupled with our use of multi-threading ensures the solution are found efficiently."

“It is really an eye opener to see how the image processing, optimisation and programming skills that I learnt through my PhD could be applied to real, complex and valuable practical problems.”

The award photo from left to right: Dr. Alan Bye (BHP Billiton Vice President - Technology), Heyang Li (Thomas), and Robin Candy.

Australian Optical Society Awards