Post Doctoral Research

Mine Sustainability Modeling Research Group (MSMRG)

Modeling, simulation and optimization for sustainability

 Principal Investigator (PI): Dr. K Awuah-Offei

PROJECTS: 

A.

Fuel Cell Drive Trains Integration into Existing Mine Haul Trucks: Feasibility Assessment 

Acknowledgement: Mr. A. Akinrinlola & Dr. Awuah-Offei

_{Akinrinlola, A., Awuah-Offei, K. & Moinee, A.A. Evaluating Feasibility of Incorporating Fuel Cell Drive Trains into Existing Haul Trucks. Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration 42, 3405-3423 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-025-01361-7. Springer International Publishing.} 

_{Mining Engineering, SME (May 2026; Volume 78, Issue 5) Invited Extended Abstract: https://me.smenet.org/evaluating-the-feasibility-of-incorporating-fuel-cell-drive-trains-into-existing-haul-trucks/}

B1.

CO₂ Flux Field on Mine Reclamation: Short-Term CO₂ Flux Responses to Soil Amendments in Reclaimed Mine Soils

Acknowledgement: Mr. W. W. Zoogah & Dr. Awuah-Offei

• _{Paper: Zoogah et al. Effect of Soil Amendments on Short-Term CO2 Fluxes in Revegetation Mine Soil. Society for Mining, Metallurgy, & Exploration Conference [SME Feb'2026].} 
• _{Poster: Mid-America Environmental Engineering Conference [Oct'25], Environmental and Water Resources Institute, Saint Louis Chapter} 
• _{Sixth Annual Resilient Supply of Critical Minerals National Workshop 2026: Effects of Soil Amendments on Carbon Indicators of Ecosystem Recovery in Revegetated Critical Minerals Mine Soils}

B2. 

Biochemical Reactors in Mine Impacted Water Treatment: Design & Optimization

Acknowledgement: Mr. W. W. Zoogah & Dr. Awuah-Offei

Minerals Commission, Ghana 

C. 

Economic Framework for Critical Minerals

Acknowledgement: Mr. A. Akinrinlola, Dr. M. G. Fikru, & Dr. Awuah-Offei

_{Akinrinlola, A., Awuah-Offei, K., Fikru, M., G., & Moinee, A., A. Decarbonization Truck Haulage in Mining: An Economic Model for Evaluating Diverse Fuels in Mine Truck Haulage.  [TBP]}

_{AAEA Annual Meeting 2026 Kansas City}

D. 

Sustainability Integration Framework in Strategic Mine Planning and Sterilization of Mineral Resources 

Acknowledgement: Mr. H N S Altalhi, Dr. G. Nicolosi, Dr. N A Habib, & Dr. Awuah-Offei

• _{Paper: Altalhi, H. N. S., Awuah-Offei, K., Nicolsi, G., Moinee, A. A., Habib, N. A., SustMine: A Framework for Integrating Sustainable Development Dimensions into Strategic Mine Planning. Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-026-01658-1. Springer International Publishing. [08.05.2026]}
• _{Poster: Critical Minerals National Workshop [S&T, Aug'25]}

E. 

Social Acceptance of Critical Mineral Developments: Discrete Choice Analysis & Environmental Aspects of Procedural Justice 

Acknowledgement: Mr. A. Bamidele, Dr. M. G. Fikru, & Dr. Awuah-Offei

• Public preferences for critical mineral mining in the U.S: Evidence from a discrete choice experiment

F. 

Social acceptance of proposed Lithium (Li) projects in McDermitt Caldera

Acknowledgement: Ms. A. Boafo & Dr. Awuah-Offei

• _{Social Acceptance of Proposed Lithium Projects in McDermitt Caldera, Jindalee – Oregon:  A Discrete Choice Analysis. [CMI Winter Meeting Feb'2026]}
• Sixth Annual Resilient Supply of Critical Minerals National Workshop 2026: Evaluating Public Preferences for Lithium Mining

G. 

Optimizing the Water–Energy Nexus in Mining: Resource Interdependencies, Sustainability Challenges, and Pathways (Material Flow Analyses) for U.S. Operations

Acknowledgement: Dr. Awuah-Offei

Sixth Annual Resilient Supply of Critical Minerals National Workshop 2026: Securing the Mining-Energy-Water Nexus: A Multi-Layer Material and Energy Flow Analysis of the U.S. Critical Mineral Pathways for Water Treatment

H. 

Spatiotemporal Modeling of CO₂ Transport in Reclaimed Mine Spoils: Coupled Analysis of Pressure Gradients and Surface Exchange Dynamics

Acknowledgement: Dr. Awuah-Offei

I. 

Critical Minerals and Materials for Advanced Energy (CM2AE) Tech Hub 

Acknowledgement: Dr. Awuah-Offei, Missouri S&T, U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA)