Innovating Critical Mineral Processing

Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry?

I am a Senior Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Engineer with over 20 years of international experience. My career began in the USA, where I specialized in SAG mill and HPGR design and optimization. Since then, I have contributed to more than 55 projects worldwide, covering scoping, feasibility, bankable feasibility studies, EPCM, commissioning, and optimization of mineral processing plants.

I hold a PhD from the University of Utah in Metallurgical Engineering and am a Chartered Engineer (CEng MIMMM) with IOM3. My expertise spans comminution, flowsheet design, process optimization, Population Balance Modeling (PBM), Discrete Element Modeling (DEM), hydrometallurgy, and mine-to-plant integration. I have also developed several mineral processing software tools, including grinding simulators and trade-off analysis platforms.

My track record includes NI43-101 compliant studies, EPCM projects for large gold heap leach plants, iron pelletizing facilities, phosphate flotation projects, and optimization of copper, gold, chrome, and industrial mineral plants. I am also a certified engineering trainer with the EIC (Engineering Institute of Canada) and have delivered numerous professional courses globally.

Q2. How is the surging demand for critical minerals like lithium,…