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DoctorMatthew J. Cracknell

(he/him)

Senior Lecturer in Geodata Analytics

Earth Sciences

Orcid identifier0000-0001-9843-8251 (opens in a new tab)⁠
  • Senior Lecturer in Geodata Analytics
    Earth Sciences
  • +61 3 6226 2481 (Work)

RESEARCH SUMMARy

Modern societies rely on a secure supply of critical minerals, yet discovering, characterising, and responsibly managing mineral resources remains expensive, uncertain, and environmentally challenging. My research addresses this through four interconnected themes:

 

  1. Data-driven mineral exploration
  2. Geospatial data integration and remote sensing
  3. Ore body and mineral system understanding
  4. Geoenvironmental characterisation of mine wastes and secondary resources

 

A central component of my work focuses on mineral prospectivity modelling, where I have developed and evaluated machine learning approaches to predict the spatial distribution of mineral deposits. These contributions include comparative analyses of algorithms, advances in model evaluation, and improved handling of uncertainty, forming a body of work that is widely cited in exploration geoscience.

 

A second major theme is geospatial data integration, combining satellite remote sensing with geological, geochemical, and geophysical datasets. This work demonstrates how multi-source data fusion improves both predictive performance and geological insight at regional scales and has contributed to workflows now used in collaborative projects with industry and government partners.

 

A third strand focuses on ore body and mineral system analysis, particularly through geochemical and mineralogical datasets (including mineral chemistry). This research provides quantitative insight into element associations, alteration processes, and deposit-scale variability, strengthening links between data-driven models and geological process understanding.

 

A fourth and growing theme is geoenvironmental characterisation of mine wastes, where I apply geochemical data analysis and predictive modelling to understand environmental risks and identify opportunities for resource recovery. This work contributes to both mine remediation strategies and the recognition of mine wastes as potential secondary sources of critical minerals.

 

Across these themes, my research integrates prediction and process understanding, improving both the accuracy and interpretability of mineral exploration and resource assessment workflows. This work has contributed to advancing mineral exploration and resource assessment as a quantitative, data-driven discipline, supporting more efficient targeting, improved environmental outcomes, and better-informed decision-making across academia, industry, and government.

FUNDED PROJECTS

  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Mineral chemistry variance mapping and geometallurgical domaining of the Nautanen IOCG deposit, Sweden
    1 Jan 2024 - 31 Dec 2027
    People funded by this grant:
    • Baker M,
    • Hunt J,
    • Cracknell M
    Project Total: $60,000; Ore deposit mineralogical characterisation is recognised as an important component of mineral exploration and geometallurgical assessments. It aims to optimise the efficiency of extraction of precious and critical green (i.e., copper) metals, whilst also minimising the amount of waste material. Consequently, improved methods for modelling the geometric and mineralogical complexities of known ore bodies will help develop more efficient extraction, processing, and waste management protocols for the purpose of better ore recovery. Optimising the characterisation of ore-bearing rocks and efficiencies created therein have implications for reducing the impact of mining activities on the local environment, and through upscaling, on the global climate. The Nautanen iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) deposit is an important base metal resource in the Aitik-Malmberget district of northern Sweden. Small-scale mining of surficial iron mineralisation occurred during the early twentieth century, however recent drilling by Boliden has identified significant copper and gold resources. Nautanen is hosted within a belt of Paleoproterozoic volcanic, volcaniclastic and intermediate intrusions of the Muorjevaara Group, which also hosts the world-class Aitik deposit 15 km to the southeast. This project will aim to develop workflows and methods for mineral chemistry variance mapping and geometallurgical domaining using geological, geochemical and textural field criteria in a complexly deformed and metamorphosed Paleoproterozoic mineral system. This may involve the integration of a variety of geologic and geotechnical datasets, including but not limited to petrographic, XRD, mineral chemistry, SEM, ASD, ICP-MS, hyperspectral and micro-XRF data. The results of this study will be used to improve methods for ore identification and extraction and inform future base metal exploration in ancient terranes. The potential exists to expand this project to other Boliden operated sites should the candidate demonstrate the ability to develop workflows that can be implemented across different mineral systems. The outcomes of this project will form an integral part of the AMIRA P1249 research program. Funded by: Boliden AB ($60,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Rock characterisation of the PlatReef
    1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Baker M,
    • Cracknell M
    Project Total: $110,250; This project will aim to develop and implement workflows and tools for upscaling of data collected at micro to macro scales for the characterisation, quantification and domaining of PlatReef PGE mineralisation and associated rock textures and alteration in order to improve ore extraction and inform future critical element exploration. Funded by: Anglo American Exploration (Australia) ($110,250); University of Tasmania ($17,363).
  • GRANT
    Building capacity in Regional Australia to enhance Australias Economy through research, training, and environmentally sustainable production of critical metals
    22 Nov 2022 - 31 Dec 2027
    People funded by this grant:
    • Cooke D,
    • Missen O,
    • Hunt J,
    • Fraser S,
    • Armistead S
    Project Total: $3,537,047; This research project involves collaboration between STEM and Social Science researchers at the University of Tasmania (UTAS) and academic, industry, and government partners. Through its three research Elements, the project will provide novel tools for characterisation of critical metals deportment, optimise methods, and devise new workflows for critical metals processing, develop new waste management strategies, and deliver innovative community education, training, and outreach strategies that build a local, skilled jobs-ready local workforce for regional industry. Funded by: Department of Education, Skills and Employment - Grant-Regional Research Collaboration ($3,537,047); MMG Australia LImited ($30,000); University of Tasmania ($315,238).
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Exploring, characterising and optimising complex orebodies- upscaling orebody knowledge to add value across the Mining Value Chain (P1249)
    1 Feb 2022 - 1 Feb 2028
    People funded by this grant:
    • Cooke D,
    • Danyushevsky L,
    • Escolme A,
    • Cracknell M,
    • Baker M
    Project Total: $3,973,684; As explorers search large, high-grade resources at greater depths, and mining operations are required to manage mineralogically and texturally complex orebodies, it is more critical than ever to develop effective exploration and characterisation tools that can be applied at the earliest stages of exploration and resource definition to reduce cost and risk. AMIRA Global's P1249 research project will embrace the challenges and realise the opportunities provided by complex orebodies of copper, gold, critical and other metals by developing new tools, methodologies and workflows for early mineralogical characterisation of complex orebodies and their alteration halos that can be upscaled to facilitate exploration for and domaining of complex orebodies Funded by: AMIRA International Ltd ($3,973,684); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Integrated Ore Deposit Knowledge: Optimising Mineralogical Characterisation through the Mining Value Chain
    1 Jan 2022 - 1 Mar 2026
    People funded by this grant:
    • Cooke D,
    • Hunt J,
    • Cracknell M
    Project Total: $45,454; Mining of metalliferous ores is vital to support emerging technologies and society's transition to sustainable energy sources. Innovative approaches to resource extraction are required to meet these increasing demands without compromising the environment for future generations. This project aims to demonstrate how the effective integration of datasets to assist in the holistic characterisation of metal resources, including critical metals, through all stages of the mining value chain, from discovery to closure. The knowledge generated in this study will improve our understanding of the geological characteristics of ore deposits that impact mineral processing and waste products, as well as our ability to predict and manage future deleterious environmental impacts. This project will provide insights to improving economic and environmental outcomes at present and future mines in Tasmania and Australia and will inform mine permitting and planning on a global scale. Student: Markus Staubmann Funded by: Evolution Mining ($45,454); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Iron oxide copper-gold deposits: Geochemistry and Geometallurgy
    Department of Energy and Mining South Australia1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    • Steadman J,
    • Danyushevsky L,
    • Escolme A,
    • Cracknell M,
    • Cooke D
    Project Total: $643,333; Demand for Cu continues to increase as governments and corporations around the world increasingly invest in non-carbon-based forms of energy and transportation, such as wind turbines and electric vehicles. This places greater pressure on mining companies to find new Tier 1 resources. Mining companies that explore for Cu and other base or precious metals are increasing spending on deeper drilling campaigns targeted by ever more sophisticated geochemical, geophysical, and geostatistical techniques. However, new discoveries of Tier 1 Cu resources are occurring less frequently today than in previous generations, and the increase in exploration expenditure has not led to a direct increase in the number of discoveries (Fig. 1). Funded by: Department of Energy and Mining South Australia ($60,000); Department of Resources Qld ($133,333); Mount Isa Mines ($120,000); Oz Minerals Limited ($80,000); Evolution Mining ($60,000); Red Metal Limited ($60,000); Georgina Resources Pty Ltd ($60,000); BHP Billiton Ltd ($40,000); Department of State Growth (Tas) ($30,000); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Multidisciplinary Characterisation of Dam Materials and Drivers of Pit Lake Water Quality: Scotia Mine, NE Tasmania
    1 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2022
    People funded by this grant:
    • Miller C,
    • Cracknell M
    Project Total: $19,500; The Scotia mine site is located in the Northeast of Tasmania, 5 km from the town of Gladstone. The Scotia cassiterite (SnO2) and sapphire mine was constructed and operated from 2007 to 2009 by Van Diemen Mines (VDM) Pty Ltd. A series of hydrologically connected pit lakes remain on site, with management of the site becoming the responsibility of Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT). This project aims to characterise the pit dam materials to identify the drivers of pit lake water quality and reconcile the sources of Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD to inform decision making prior to the commencement of remediation activities. Funded by: Department of State Growth (Tas) ($19,500); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Geoenvironmental & Geometallurgical Characterization of Weathered Polymetallic Wastes
    1 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2025
    People funded by this grant:
    • Meffre S,
    • Missen O,
    • Cracknell M,
    • Miller C
    Project Total: $97,575; Material characterisation of waste rocks from surface using mapping, geophysics (e.g., Electromagnetics, resistivity and GPR), static and kinetic laboratory analysis, and field technologies (e.g., pXRF, SWIR) in order to aid opportunity recognition and decision making on the pathway to closure. Funded by: Bluestone Mines Tasmania ($15,000); Department of State Growth (Tas) ($82,575); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Geophysical investigation of the Royal George tailings repository, northern Tasmania
    1 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Cracknell M,
    • Miller C,
    • Roach M
    Project Total: $12,520; Royal George is a legacy tin mine located in northeast Tasmania. Open pit mining of tin ore occurred from 1911 to 1928 with tailings dumped on site. Despite revegetation success and the construction of a diversion drain over the past decade, acid and metalliferous drainage (AMD) continues to flow from the tailings repository into the St Pauls River. This project aims to use a range of complimentary geophysical techniques to identify and map internal waterflow pathways within the tailings to assess the internal structure and thickness of tailings at the Royal George site. Information gained from the integrated analysis of the resulting geophysical models will inform land management priorities. Funded by: Department of State Growth (Tas) ($12,520); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Geochemical analysis of Ruby Lagoon and Blue Lake sediments at Endurance tailings site, north east Tasmania
    Department of State Growth (Tas)1 Jan 2020 - 26 Mar 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Miller C,
    • Cracknell M,
    • Cooke D
    Project Total: $16,972; Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT) has been allocated funding as part of the Tasmanian Government's Mining Sector Innovation Initiative Program (MSIIP). The initiative is aimed at developing techniques and expanding industry technologies to support the state's capacity in globally competitive mining activities. MRT was allocated $1 million to address four key project areas: 1. Innovative uses for geoscientific data using new technologies. 2. Investigating innovative solutions for mine rehabilitation and remediation. 3. Developing best practice Acid Mine Drainage management guidelines, and 4. Improving the understanding of landslip reactivation and implications for emergency response. Funded by: Department of State Growth (Tas) ($16,972); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Geophysical investigation of historic Aberfoyle tailings site, northeast Tasmania
    Department of State Growth (Tas)1 Jan 2020 - 31 Jan 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Cracknell M,
    • Miller C,
    • Cooke D,
    • Roach M
    Project Total: $8,382; The Tasmanian State Government has committed AUD$1 million over 4 years to Mining Sector Innovation Program funding (Tasmanian Government, 2017; TMEC, 2017). The aims of this fund are promoting the use of cutting-edge technologies and implementation of best practice management by the Tasmanian mining industry. This funding provides support and research projects across four key streams: 1. Innovative use of geoscientific data using new technologies; 2. Investigating innovative solutions for mine rehabilitation and remediation; 3. Developing best practice Acid Mine Drainage management guidelines, and 4. Improving the understanding of landslip reactivation and implications for emergency response The proposed honours project aligns with both innovation in the use of new technologies and solutions for mine rehabilitation and remediation. The Aberfoyle Mine near Rossarden, northeast Tasmania, produced 11,000 tons of tin and 3,500 tons of wolfram from 1931 to 1982. The processed pyritic-rich tailings are stored in nine tailings dams. Recent site rehabilitation was carried out using earth capping over the tailings dam and implementation of vegetation trials. Rehabilitation aimed to decrease the effects of erosion and windblown dust on the tailings but of limited success. The lack of water retention, effects of metal contamination and drought stress, has caused the failure of revegetation trials. In a previous study conducted by McLaine et al. (2017) and McLaine (2017), the tailings were characterised using a mineralogical and geochemical approach. This study found that the tailings have high potential to generate Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (AMD) and exhibit Cd, Cu and Zn concentrations significantly above the national guidelines. Furthermore, surface soil is contaminated with deleterious elements that become more concentrated with depth. This study recommended detailed geophysical investigations be carried out to investigate the properties of soil capping across the abandoned tailings dams at the Aberfoyle site. Funded by: Department of State Growth (Tas) ($8,382); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Hydrogeological studies of acid mine drainage at Blue Lake, Endurance Mine, north east Tasmania
    Department of State Growth (Tas)1 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2020
    People funded by this grant:
    • Miller C,
    • Cracknell M,
    • Cooke D
    Project Total: $28,750; Mineral Resources Tasmania (MRT) was allocated AUD $1 million in funding through the Tasmanian Government's Mining Sector Innovation Initiative Program (MSIIP) to support new and continued mining activities within the state. The funding with specifically to address activities in four key areas: 1. Innovative uses for geoscientific data using new technologies; 2. Investigating innovative solutions for mine rehabilitation and remediation; 3. Developing best practice Acid Mine Drainage management guidelines, and 4. Improving the understanding of landslip reactivation and implications for emergency response. This project is funded as part of stream 2, investigating innovative solutions for mine rehabilitation and remediation. This project will use innovative techniques such as: * Remote sensing data capture (e.g. use of drones and photogrammetry or LIDAR imagery) * Numerical flow modelling using drill hole data to model subsurface characteristics and groundwater flow * Mineralogical and geochemical techniques * Detection of AMD in the subsurface using electromagnetic (EM) methods Funded by: Department of State Growth (Tas) ($28,750); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    The geodynamic and tectonic influence on giant porphyry copper deposit architectural controls
    First Quantum Minerals Ltd1 Jan 2020 - 31 Dec 2023
    People funded by this grant:
    • Cracknell M,
    • Cooke D
    Project Total: $164,350; This project will combine Machine Learning with various Earth Science fields such as structural analysis and interpretation and geodynamics, to Improve giant porphyry copper deposits exploration. Tools and techniques developed will enable the production of 'expert-driven' ore deposit models through controlled inputs for different tectonic environments and mineralisation types to improve ore deposit targeting and vectoring. Funded by: First Quantum Minerals Ltd ($164,350); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Identifying unique Resistate Indicator Mineral (RIM) chemistry as a guide in prospectivity for sediment-hosted copper mineralisation
    AMIRA International Ltd2 Dec 2019 - 31 Dec 2021
    People funded by this grant:
    • Barker S,
    • Danyushevsky L,
    • Cracknell M,
    • Hitzman M,
    • Johnson S
    Project Total: $319,800; This project will collect new geochemical data from the Central African copper belt In order to test whether tltanite, apatite and tourmaline can be used as paleohydrothermal fluid proxies that can aid mineral exploration. This work has never been systematically tested before, and the outcomes and potential exploration utility are highly uncertain hence this one year pllot study. We will collect a systematic set of samples within, proximal and distal to mineralization to assess whether resfstate minerals record signatures of copper mineralization. The results could be tested by others using equivalent samples and techniques. Funded by: AMIRA International Ltd ($319,800); University of Tasmania.
  • CONSULTANCY/CONTRACT RESEARCH
    Ore deposits and Tectonics of SE Australia: Freeport-McMoRan
    Freeport McMoRan1 Jan 2019 - 1 Dec 2020
    People funded by this grant:
    • Meffre S,
    • Steadman J,
    • Cracknell M,
    • Cooke D
    Project Total: $30,000; This project will test and improve the techniques developed by the ARC-funded Linkage project LP160100483 (Ore deposits and tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia). Both the existing Linkage and this new project aim to identify prospective areas for hydrothermal ore deposits in SE Australia through combining mineral chemistry with large-scale plate tectonic reconstructions. The existing Linkage project has acquired a large amount of geochronological and geochemical data on approximately 1500 samples throughout the Lachlan Orogen and developed a new prospectivity model for SE Australia using G-plates software. This new project will extend the data collection and fund a new phase of modelling that will benefit both the existing Linkage project Partners and Freeport-McMoRan. Funded by: Freeport McMoRan ($30,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Identification and characterisation of geological domains for geometallurgical and geoenvironmental modelling
    Minerals Council of Australia15 Nov 2018 - 31 Dec 2022
    People funded by this grant:
    • Cracknell M,
    • Escolme A,
    • Jiang D
    Project Total: $20,000; Mining operations are increasingly reliant on digital geological data to inform all aspects of ore deposit extraction, refinement and remediation. These data, e.g. drill core hyperspectral imagery, contain information on geological features and processes that are typically interpreted by geologists using drill core logs and geochemical assays. Despite this, converting high resolution hyperspectral imagery and associated mineralogical classifications into geological knowledge that informs mine-scale block models is yet to be fully realised. This PhD project will make use of unprecedented access to multi-scale digital geological data from a variety of porphyry and epithermal ore deposits with the overarching aim of defining and characterising geological features relevant to mining operations. Research activities are expected to include investigation, assessment and implementation of image processing and supervised and unsupervised machine learning methods for defining patterns in multi-scale geological data. The outcomes of this project are expected to facilitate the integration of large volumes of digital data from diverse sources with existing geological knowledge in order to develop the next generation of models for ore deposit exploitation. As this PhD project forms part of the ARC Transforming the Mining Value Chain (TMVC) AMIRA P1202 funded 'Far-field and near mine footprints' project, specifically within Module 4 'The transition zone'. This project will involve close collaboration with TMVC and AMIRA P2102 project industry and academic partners. Funded by: Minerals Council of Australia - Grant ($20,000); University of Tasmania.
  • GRANT
    Ore deposits and tectonic evolution of the Lachlan Orogen, SE Australia
    Australian Research Council14 Dec 2016 - 28 Feb 2023
    People funded by this grant:
    • Meffre S,
    • Whittaker J,
    • Norman M,
    • Cracknell M,
    • Belousova E
    Project Total: $793,000; South-east Australia has a complex and fragmented geological history. Over the past 550 million years plate tectonic processes have resulted in the formation of metal-rich mineral deposits. This project aims to develop and test models for evaluating past tectonic processes and configurations, using both new and existing geological, geophysical and isotopic data. The information gained will be used to identify areas of high potential for economically valuable ore deposits, thereby enabling more efficient prioritisation of mineral exploration efforts. This will increase the probability of significant ore deposit discoveries leading to national economic benefit. Funded by: Australian Research Council - Grant-Linkage Projects ($418,000); Evolution Mining ($45,000); Geoscience Australia ($30,000); Alkane Exploration NL ($30,000); AngloGold Ashanti Australia Limited ($30,000); Geological Survey of New South Wales - Department of Industry ($30,000); Emmerson Resources Limited ($30,000); Sandfire matsa ($30,000); Rio Tinto Limited ($30,000); Heron Resources Limited ($30,000); CMOC Mining Services Pty Ltd T/A Northparkes Mines ($30,000); New South Resources Limited ($30,000); Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources ($15,000); Department of State Growth (Tas) ($15,000); University of Tasmania.