McGill Members

Research Topic: Conducting research on the Self-Heating of Sulphides

In the Mining Industry, the self-heating of sulphides can cause major disruptions, hazardous environments and in some extreme cases, the loss of life. The research being conducted at McGill is to identify the fundamentals that cause a seemingly inactive sulphide to heat up without being exposed to an external heat source (self-heat). This research has shown that only some sulphides or a combination of sulphides when exposed to a “favorable environment” will self-heat. It has also been shown that self-heating proceeds in 3 distinct stages (A B and C). Past and currant test work has also been conducted in the attempt to mitigate the adverse effects of self-heating by the using chemical reagents.

Research Interests: Physical Separation, Design of Experiment, Optimization

Mineral processer with 16 years’ experience in applied academic research, Ozan Kökkılıç has a Ph.D. and solid knowledge and experience on mineral processing. Over the years, he gained significant experience particularly on the physical separation (comminution, size, gravity and magnetic separation) and flotation through the industrial research projects he participated at Istanbul Technical University, in Turkey. During his postdoctoral research at McGill University he worked in Prof. Jim Finch & Prof. Kristian Waters’s Mineral Processing Group and specialised on the dry gravity separation and centrifugal dense medium separation on gold, iron ore and rear earth minerals. During his Ph.D. thesis he also gained significant experience on design of experiment methods and he enhanced this knowledge as a member of McGill University, Mineral Processing Group. In addition to his research topics, he also assisted the Ph.D. candidates in the same area of expertise. Since 2017, he is continuing working at McGill University in Prof. Kristian Waters’s Mineral Processing Group as Research Associate.

Google Scholar

Research Interests: Froth Flotation, Frother Chemistry, SEM Image Analysis

With over 20 years’ teaching experience in both Canada and China, Yuehua Tan is very highly experienced in organizing presentation materials and making oral presentations. As fabrication nanostructured Pd membranes was part of her Masters’ study, access to the SEM and other facilities allowed her to develop analytical skills for material characterization. Recent research experience has involved not only frother/collector chemistry, but also self-heating, solvent extraction and Jameson Cells.

Research Topic: Flotation process and surface chemistry of minerals

Shiva joined the McGill Mineral Processing Research Group as a PhD student and investigated the applicability of inverse gas chromatography (IGC) to mineral flotation under supervision of Professor Waters. Later, during her postdoctoral fellowship, she evaluated the application of benzohydroxamic acid (BHA) to the flotation of sulfide minerals. Now, as a Research Associate, she collaborates in various research projects and co-supervises Co-Op students. Her specific research interests include:

• Froth flotation
• Surface chemistry
• Extractive hydrometallurgy
• Inverse gas chromatography (IGC)

Research Topic: Zeolite synthesis from coal fly ash and its application to heavy metals remediation from wastewater

Sofi's PhD research focuses on synthesizing zeolites from coal fly ash (CFA) to remove heavy metals (Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺) from wastewater. By binding magnetite nanoparticles to the zeolite using colloidal PVA solution, Sofi created magnetic zeolites that can be recovered from water using a Wet High-Intensity Magnetic Separator (WHIMS). Her work demonstrated the efficient removal and recovery of metal-laden zeolites from treated solutions, promoting a sustainable water treatment process.

Google Scholar

Research topic: Study of the impact of microwave treatment on chalcopyrite ore leaching

Ronghao's current research focuses on the impact of microwave treatment on the acid leaching of a chalcopyrite ore. His work involves using SEM, XRD, XPS, and ICP techniques to reveal the effect of microwave treatment and the mechanism behind. His PhD project focused on recovering ultra-fine (-10 µm) niobium (Nb)-bearing minerals from Niobec slimes using gravity separation, magnetic separation, and flotation. He is also involved in other projects such as battery recycling and beneficiation of critical minerals.

Google Scholar

Research Topic: The application of gas dispersion optimization to industrial flotation processes.

Mark’s research interests are in applying gas dispersion optimization to industrial flotation operations, with a focus on the measurement of gas dispersion and hydrodynamic indicators. Mark is interested in developing novel sensors and measurement techniques to achieve a better understanding of mineral processing.

Research Topic: Low temperature electrolysis of iron ores

Research Topic: Investigation into the surface chemistry aspects and beneficiation of graphite

Collin’s research is focused on the investigation into the surface properties and beneficiation of graphite. Graphite is one of the most versatile minerals used on an industrial scale. It is a key component of lithium ion batteries in addition to a variety of other uses. While flotation has been a commonly used technique for the beneficiation of flake graphite, it is difficult to achieve high concentrate grades due to cross pollution effects between the graphite surface and gangue impurities. In this research, the surface properties of graphite would be investigated using zeta potential, inverse gas chromatography (IGC) and reagent adsorption isotherms to better understand the interaction between graphite and flotation reagents. Beneficiation studies would be carried out using mechanical and pneumatic flotation cells while the possibility of pre-concentration would also be explored using magnetic and micro multi-gravity separators. The tests will provide new insights into the surface properties of graphite, improve graphitic grade and preserve flake size.

Research Topic: Modelling Flotation: Incorporating Process Mineralogy

This project will incorporate mineralogical analyses and flotation response into a more in-depth understanding of the factors involved in flotation. Therefore, different models will be applied to predict concentrate recovery and grade such as single rate constant and distributed rate constants (i.e., rectangular and gamma distributions). In addition, the goodness-of-fit of these models and the confidence interval of the parameters will be determined using regression analysis. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) could be applied for sample characterization. Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy (QEMSCAN) will be used for mineral evaluation, liberation, and association.

Research Topic: Characterisation and Depression of Pyrrhotite superstructures (magnetic/4C vs non-magnetic 5C)

My current research focuses on the characterization of pyrrhotite superstructures both magnetic and non-magnetic as well as the development of methods to effectively depress these superstructures to achieve selective separation in the flotation circuit. My interest are in integrating principles of circular economy into mineral processing and metallurgical plants; and exploring innovative strategies to make metallurgical operations more sustainable. My background also includes hydrometallurgy, which complements my work in mineral processing.

Research Topic: Investigation into relative froth height on flotation performance

Elmira’s research is focusing on measuring the effect of different relative froth heights on flotation performance. Understanding how froth height can affect the water content according to the desired flotation performance is critical. Also, she uses conductivity measurement in froth zone to quantitatively monitor and control the water content and froth behavior. The results can be applied in industrial flotation operations to satisfy the flotation responses

Research Topic:  Investigation of Gas Dispersion properties in frother and collector blends.

Jeff’s research focuses on the investigation of gas dispersion properties in frother and collector blends. This investigation is centered around the hydrodynamic properties of collectors and collector-frother blends. Specifically in a two-phase system through the utilization of several techniques developed at McGill. In addition to that, Jeff will be working on the development of a portable device and technique in accessing plant process water to help characterize the properties of the natural surfactants in the water as well provide information pertaining to froth stability.

Research Topic: Heat treatment of minerals and its impact on separations

Mandy's research during her master's centered on investigating the effect of temperature on bubble size in flotation on a lab scale; where a detailed methodology was developed to measure and determine the effect of temperature on bubble size (D32) using the two main frother types in industry. After successful completion of her master's degree, her quest to continue her education has expanded her horizon into researching on the conventional, microwave and plasma heat treatment of sulfide minerals to result in thermal fracturing and their impact in various separation processes, specifically flotation and magnetic separation (WHIMS), for her PhD project. 

Research Topic: Investigation into the beneficiation of complex mineral ore deposits using physical separation: A study of Wollastonite and Scandium ore deposits

Leader Uwayezu's research focuses on investigating physical separation in processing critical materials to produce a greener concentrate. Her recent work focuses on the recovery of fines, preconcentration, and tailing reprocessing by gravity- and magnetic-separation using shaking tables, multi-gravity separators, falcon, and low- and high-intensity magnetic separators.

Research Topic: Physical separation pathways for circular recovery of LIB materials and system-level LCA of the lithium supply chain.

Teddy designs stage-wise, chemistry-light concentration routes to recover battery materials from mixed black mass. Using ultrafine Falcon, high-intensity magnetic separation (WHIMS), and multi-gravity separation (MGS), targeting clean streams of NCM, LFP, and graphite that are suitable for relithiation and re-graphitization. In parallel, Teddy develops a comparative life-cycle assessment of lithium supply, benchmarking recycling-based routes against conventional mining and refining, to quantify environmental trade-offs and guide scale-up decisions.

Research Topic: Beneficiation of Canadian Lithium ore.

Research Topic: Extractive metallurgy of lithium from spodumene ores

Research Topic: Recovery of rare earth elements from sedimentary phosphate ore in Central Kyzlkum

Research Topic: Investigating the Role of Organic Reagents in the Flotation of Chalcopyrite and Molybdenite under Different Water Chemistries

Ebuka’s research explores the use of novel organic flotation reagents as sustainable alternatives to conventional inorganic reagents in the selective separation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite. His work focuses on understanding how different water chemistries influence reagent behavior, surface interactions, and overall metallurgical performance. The goal is to advance environmentally responsible mineral processing practices through improved reagent design and process optimization.

Research Topic: Microflotation of copper-molybdenum ores using novel reagent

Helmi is a master's student at McGill University under the supervision of Professor Kristian Waters. His research interests lie in microflotation and surface chemistry, focusing on the flotation of chalcopyrite and molybdenite using novel reagents. With a commitment to advancing the field of mineral processing, Helmi aims to explore innovative approaches that enhance efficiency and selectivity in flotation processes.

Research Topic: Improvement and Optimization of coarse hematite flotation

Zolboo is a new Master student joining McGill in September 2022. His master research will be focus on Iron ore Concentrate samples upgrade for electrolysis. Before he joined this Minerals processing group, Zolboo used to work as an Underground hard rock Mining Engineer over 12 years.

Ray supports the large group of researchers in the field of mineral processing. The research targets all aspects of mineral processing. Crushing, grinding, gravity separation, magnetic separation as well as flotation.

Shop Coordinator

Since 1993 (over 25 years).

Organize and teach undergraduate laboratories.

Maintain lab equipment and fabricate custom research set-ups.

Control finances for budget and purchasing of lab equipment and supplies.