By Michael Lynch
A research program underway at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay could result in increased profitability for mining companies. The process being researched could also prove less damaging to the environment than conventional processes.
Inder Nirdosh, a chemical engineering professor at Lakehead University, has received a $145,000-grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council. The grant will be used for synthesizing and testing new mineral collectors that will not require the use of copper sulfate, the most expensive chemical in the flotation process for zinc.
Nirdosh has also received support from five major mining companies that are making a $100,000 in-kind donation to the research program. These companies are Noranda, Inco, Cominco, Teck Corp. and Imperial Metals.
Nirdosh's research is valuable for the mining industry as it represents cost-savings for companies, says Noranda's team leader of mineral processing, Donald Leroux.
"Zinc metal is most commonly extracted from zinc sulphide mineral (sphalerite) concentrates that are produced at various mines by flotation," Leroux explains. "Unlike other sulfide minerals, sphalerite can not be separated by flotation using conventional reagents (called collectors) alone. It has to be activated with copper sulfate prior to flotation. This represents a significant operating cost."
"The development of a cost-effective sphalerite collector, that wouldnÕt require copper sulfate activation would increase the profitability of zinc mines," Leroux says. Noranda is major zinc producer, "and therefore (is) interested in this aspect of Dr. Nirdosh's research program."
"The research focus will begin with copper and zinc and will eventually be extended to nickel," Nirdosh says.
Nirdosh believes the research program he is undertaking is unique.
"I'm not aware of research at a university where mineral collectors are being synthesized and tested," Nirdosh says.
Copper sulfate activation has been used by the mining industry for decades.
"The entire world uses it," Nirdosh says, "but it is expensive and corrosive." He predicts significant cost savings to the mining industry when his research is proven. As an example,that of all the chemicals used in flotation, copper sulfate costs eight to 10 times more than any one of them," Nirdosh explains.
The staff for the research program is in place, including a research scientist with extensive experience in synthesis and flotation and a part-time technologist. A graduate student will start work in September. Each year of the two-year program, a couple of undergraduate students will assist with the program.
To date, a literature survey has been completed and the materials needed for the program have been obtained. Preliminary tests have been completed on three chemicals and detailed tests will start in March, Nirdosh says.
Nirdosh received his education in India and England. He is a faculty advisor for the student chapter of the Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering. The chapter won four top prizes and two second-place prizes in the last seven years.
There has also been three top individual student recognition's.
He has received a top faculty award as an advisor, and was made a fellow of the Chemical Institute of Canada last year.
Nirdosh received Lakehead University's first strategic grant in 1985 for research in the treatment of mill tailings. His research resulted in another strategic grant in 1989.
"Many people are doing excellent research at Lakehead University," Nirdosh says.
In chemical engineering research is being conducted in pulp and paper, biomedical engineering, site remediation and waste-management areas, in addition to mineral processing.
The engineering department was part of a Centre of Excellence in pulp and paper, has a couple of Canadian Foundation for Innovation grants and has a Canada Research Chair in site remediation.
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