Speaker:  Associate Professor James Vaughan, Head of the Hydrometallurgy Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Queensland

Abstract:  Mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide precipitate (MHP) is a relatively recent intermediate product in primary nickel production (1997). Conventional refining of MHP involves leaching the majority of the elements into solution and using solvent extraction for key separations such as for nickel from cobalt. In 2011, a selective acid leach (SAL) was devised by the UQ hydrometallurgy research group which has distinct advantages in terms of process efficiency and environmental impact. The technology was patented and licensed to Pure Battery Technologies, a Brisbane based start-up, and has now been commercialised. The next steps in research and development are briefly discussed.

Bio:  Associate Professor James Vaughan is head of the Hydrometallurgy Research Group within the School of Chemical Engineering at The University of Queensland. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering at McGill University followed by Master of Applied Science and PhD degrees in Materials Engineering at The University of British Columbia. Before joining UQ, James gained experience as a research engineer in metallurgical process development with Placer Dome (gold) and BHP (nickel).

About JKMRC Friday Seminars 2021

Welcome to the 2021 Series of the JKMRC Friday Seminars.  The list of presentations will aim to cover a range of topics related to the minerals sector from decision making in exploration, new mineral processing technologies, social licence to operate and mine closure.

The JKMRC Friday Seminars will be presented both in person, at the Indooroopilly Mine Site Lecture Theatre, and also as webinar.  Registration for the webinar is required and can be made via the registration link in each seminar overview.

A large number of past webinars can be accessed on the SMI website: https://smi.uq.edu.au/webinars

Previous seminars have been uploaded to YouTube via the following link: https://www.youtube.com/user/smiuq

The final seminar in the 2021 series will be held on Friday 22 October.

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