Syarifah Nur Alisya binti Syed Alwi

Hello :) My name is Alisya, I am an international student from Malaysia. I have completed my Bachelors of Advanced Science (Earth Sciences) in UNSW. Previously, I did my Honours on Australian Coal Fly Ash and looking at its economic potential and environmental liability. I am currently doing my PhD in collaboration with MinEx CRC, looking at Resistate Minerals as a Pathfinder Tool for Mineralisation in the Cobar Basin.

Outside of research, I enjoy reading sci-fi, journaling and dissecting lyrics (especially if it's Taylor Swift's).

Supervised by: Dr Indrani Mukherjee (UNSW), A. Prof Ian Graham (UNSW), Dr Chris Folkes (GSNSW) and Dr Joel Fitzherbert (GSNSW)

Project Title: Geochemical Tools for Ore Exploration: Investigating Resistance Phase Minerals Chemistry in the Cobar Basin

Project Description: Resistate minerals such as monazite, zircon, and rutile are valuable indicators of mineralization, preserving geochemical signatures that withstand weathering and erosion. These minerals host trace elements, including rare earth elements (REEs), uranium, thorium, niobium, and tantalum, which are essential for modern technologies. Their geochemical signatures can extend the footprint of mineral systems, aiding in ore deposit exploration. However, a major challenge lies in characterizing these minerals when they are incorporated into younger cover sequences that obscure older mineralized basement rocks. Understanding how these minerals redistribute through geological processes and how their signatures can be used to detect hidden ore deposits remains a key research gap.

This PhD project aligns with the MinEx Cooperative Research Centre (MinEx CRC), which focuses on improving exploration techniques in covered terrains. The Cobar Basin, a key study area for MinEx CRC, hosts concealed mineral deposits, making it an ideal location to refine geochemical tools for detecting ore systems beneath cover sequences.