Muhammad Waqas
Muhammad Waqas joined the Department of Mining and Geological Engineering at the University of Arizona in August 2018 and serves as an assistant professor of practice. His research focuses on discrete element modeling, artificial intelligence modeling, mining equipment operations and geomechanics.
He earned a PhD in mining engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology in December 2018, an MS in mechanical engineering and a graduate certificate in engineering mechanics from Missouri S&T in May 2017, and a BS and MS in mining engineering from the University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, in 2009 and 2013, respectively.
After earning his bachelor's degree, Waqas worked as a lecturer in the Department of Mining Engineering at UET Lahore, where he was promoted to assistant professor in December 2013. He joined Missouri S&T as a PhD student in August 2013 and served as a teaching fellow at Saudi Mining Polytechnic in Arar, Saudi Arabia, and as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Mining and Nuclear Engineering at Missouri S&T.
Waqas completed the PFC2D/PFC3D course offered by Itasca Consulting Group Inc. in March 2016 and received the Graduate Teaching Award from the Department of Mining and Nuclear Engineering in April 2018.
Degrees
- PhD Mining Engineering
- Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri
- Dissertation: "Discrete Element and Artificial Intelligence Modeling of Rock Properties and Formation Failure in Advance of Shovel Excavation"
- MS Mechanical Engineering
- Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri
- Graduate Certificate Engineering Mechanics
- Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, Missouri
- M.S. Mining Engineering
- University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
- Thesis: "Measuring Performance of Mining Equipment Used in Cement Industry by Using Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)"
- BS Mining Engineering
- University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
- "Ore Reserve Estimation by Conventional Methods"
Work Experience
- The University of Arizona (2021 - Ongoing)
- The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2018 - 2021)
- Department of Mining and Nuclear Engineering, Missouri S&T (2015 - 2018)
- Saudi Mining Polytechnic (SMP) (2014 - 2015)
- Department of Mining Engineering, UET Lahore (2013 - 2018)
- Department of Mining and Nuclear Engineering, Missouri S&T (2013 - 2014)
- Department of Mining Engineering, UET Lahore (2009 - 2013)
Interests
Teaching
Equipment operations technology, surface mine planning and design, underground construction geomechanics, mine planning software
Research
Discrete element modeling, artificial intelligence modeling, mining equipment operations, geomechanics
Courses
View the complete course list in UA Profiles.
Licensure & Certification
- ISO 14001:2004, (2008)
- ISO 9001:2000, (2008)
- Field and Mine Surveying, (2008)
- Mines Rescue and Recovery, (2009)
- First Aid to the Injured, (2009)
- Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework for Professional Development of Engineers, (2013)
- PFC2D/PFC3D Introductory Course, (2016)
Selected Publications
Journals/Publications
- Fayyaz, A., Ali, R., Waqas, M., Liaqat, U., Ahmad, R., Umar, Z. A., & Baig, M. A. (2023). Analysis of Rare Earth Ores Using Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy and Laser Ablation Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry. Minerals, 13(6), 787, doi.org/10.3390/min13060787.
- Fayyaz, A., Asghar, H., Waqas, M., Kamal, A., Al-Onazi, W. A., & Al-Mohaimeed, A. M. (2023). Multi-Spectroscopic Characterization of MgO/Nylon (6/6) Polymer: Evaluating the Potential of LIBS and Statistical Methods. Polymers, 15(15), 3156, doi.org/10.3390/polym15153156.
Proceedings Publications
- Emad, M. Z., Majeed, Y., Waqas, M., & Rehman, G. (2023). Rock Salt Block Extraction Using Conventional Rock Mining Methods. In ARMA.
- Waqas, M., & Emad, M. Z. (2022). Design of Larger Span Overhanging Cliffs Constructed in Himalayas. In ARMA.