LU's new research facility.New mining extraction processes to be developed at engineering lab A new engineering research facility is set to open this spring at Laurentian University Laurentian University, main campus at Sudbury, Ont., Canada; bilingual, coeducational; founded 1960. Among its faculties are those in astronomy, commerce, computer science, education, engineering, law, mathematics, music, native studies, nursing, physics, and social to develop leading-edge technologies in mining extracting processes. Headed by Akram Alfantazi, a specialist in hydrometallurgical hy·dro·met·al·lur·gy n. The treatment of metal or the separation of metal from ores and ore concentrates by liquid processes, such as leaching, extraction, and precipitation. technologies, the lab work will concentrate on developing new advances in hydrometallurgy hydrometallurgy Extraction of metal from ore by dissolving the metal (as one of its salts) and then recovering it from the solution. The operations usually involved are leaching (dissolving in water), commonly with additional agents; separating the waste and purifying the , pressure leaching processes and other extraction processes for clients like Inco, Falconbridge and Noranda. Hydrometallurgy, particularly pressure leaching, is the use of water with pressure and high temperature to more efficiently extract minerals from an ore body. It's a practice being used by both of Sudbury's nickel giants and is considered state-of-the-art technology for nickel processing. "If these two companies: (Inco and Falconbridge) want to maintain their advantage in the nickel industry, they need to develop this technology to maintain their dominant role in the world," says Alfantazi. With his team of three graduate students, Alfantazi hopes to generate new knowledge to reduce costs and improve recovery in extraction techniques to develop laterite laterite Soil layer rich in iron oxide and sometimes aluminum, derived from a wide variety of rocks by leaching. It forms in tropical and subtropical regions where the climate is humid. and sulfide sulfide, chemical compound containing sulfur and one other element or sulfur and a radical. Sulfides may be salts or esters of hydrogen sulfide, H2S, or may be formed directly, e.g., by heating a metal with sulfur. ore bodies, the former being the most abundant sources of nickel deposits in the world. With the newest hydrometallurgical technologies, these sources of nickel can now be developed and mined. One particular project Laurentian researchers will be focussing on is corrosion issues associated with this process and hydrometallurgic implications in general, including the possible use of incorporating titanium-based alloys for the construction of the autoclaves, vessels used in pressure leaching. "Because this technology is a very aggressive process with high heat and pressure, these operations need to be able to sustain (themselves) under these conditions," Alfantazi says. Alfantazi believes any developments in the extraction of non-ferrous and precious metals Precious Metals Valuable metals such as gold, iridium, palladium, platinum, and silver. Notes: Investing in precious metals can be done either by purchasing the physical asset, or by purchasing futures contracts for the particular metal. will ultimately benefit other Northern Ontario Northern Ontario is the part of the province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron (including Georgian Bay), the French River and Lake Nipissing. Northern Ontario has a land area of 802,000 km² (310,000 mi²) and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it companies in the extraction of nickel, copper, cobalt, gold and zinc. Any new products or processes spawned from their research will remain the intellectual property of the university. Besides creating possible new revenues for the university, Alfantazi intends to put graduates into the field with a more practical working knowledge of the needs of the mining industry. Alfantazi, a Laurentian alumnus ALUMNUS, civil law. A child which one has nursed; a foster child. Dig. 40, 2, 14. who spent four years at Falconbridge as a research specialist working with high acid pressure leaching technologies, says insight gained from within the industry, "allows you to clearly identify important and priority technical issues, and it really focuses and orients your research directions." The lab, to be located in the Fraser building on the Ramsey Lake Road campus, received a financial boost in December with a $50,000 grant from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation under their New Opportunities Fund. Thus far Alfantazi has raised about $125,000, about half of what's needed to equip the lab. The project was also recently awarded a National Science and Engineering Research Council (body) Science and Engineering Research Council - (SERC) Formerly the largest of the five research councils funded by the British Government through the Office of Science and Technology. of Canada project grant worth about $496,000 over three years for ongoing research. |
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