Laboratory of Mineral Processing and Resources Recycling

As of October 13, 2021

• Basic information
• About the laboratory
• Information for potential applicants

Basic information

Division

Sustainable Resources Engineering, Cooperative Program for Resources Engineering

* Please go to Courses to see the list of subjects offered by the division.

Laboratory's URL

http://mp-er.eng.hokudai.ac.jp/home.htm

Faculty members accepting applicants

HIROYOSHI Naoki (Prof.), ITO Mayumi (Prof.), PARK Ilhwan (Assoc. Prof.)

Other members

SASAKI Tomoko (Secretary)

About the laboratory

Description

The laboratory of Mineral Processing and Resource Recycling has a tradition of developing practical, efficient and robust processing technologies focused on the various needs of the world's mineral, material and recycling industries. The TACUB Jig, commercially known as BATAC® jig, renowned in the mineral processing and coal cleaning industries for its high efficiency and reliability was developed here. More recently, we developed the RETAC® jig to cater to the growing needs of the recycling industry for plastic-plastic separation.
It is our culture to push the boundaries and continuously seek ways to develop cutting-edge technologies and to improve existing techniques in the recovery of valuable resources from both natural ores and urban wastes. To achieve these goals, we persevere to learn more about the fundamental theories and principles governing the physical and chemical interfacial phenomena occurring in complex systems and processes such as jig separation, froth flotation, agglomeration in liquid and mineral-water interactions. We are also doing studies to control flotation, and possibly other processes, using a Fuzzy logic based control system.
In addition to the above researches, we are also doing studies on advanced mineral processing technologies with special emphasis on their application to the environmentally-friendly and sustainable recycling of waste materials.

Organization of research

The daily work of students in our lab is (1) taking courses, (2) conducting experiments, and (3) attending lab seminars (every Monday, Tuesday, and Friday).

The machine/instruments that our lab possesses are as follows:

• Comminution Equipment: Jaw Crusher, Freeze Crusher, Orient Mill, Ball Mill, Disc Mill
• Beneficiation Equipment: Flotation Machine, Dry/Wet High-Intensity Magnetic Separator, Jig Separator, Knelson/Falcon Concentrator, Hydrocyclone, 3D printer
• Equipment for Chemical Experiments (e.g., Pyro/Hydrometallurgy, Environmental Remediation, etc): Water bath shaker, Heating mantle, Electric furnace
• Analytical Instruments, ICP-AES, UV-Vis, TOC, XRF, FT-IR, Surface Tensiometer, BET Surface Area Analyzer, Ultra Pycnometer, Optical Microscope

Ongoing projects

http://mp-er.eng.hokudai.ac.jp/home.htm

Enrolled students' research topics

The current research topics being conducted in our lab are as follows:

• Flotation of Seafloor Massive Sulfide Ore / Cu-Zn Ore / Finely-Ground Cu Sulfides

• Microencapuslation Techniques for Improving Flotation Separation of Sulfide Minerals / for Suppressing AMD Formation

• Magnetic Separation for Upgrading Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from Ore Deposits

• E-waste Recycling using the Combination of Knelson/Falcon Concentrators and 3D printer

• Jig Separation for Plastic Recycling

• Gold Recovery from Ores and E-wastes by Ammonium Thiosulfate Leaching

• Recycling of Lithium Ion Battery

Basically, we encourage students to propose research topics that they want to do. If the proposed topics are impossible to carry out in our lab, then we give a list of options to students.

Information for potential applicants

Applicants' background

We are looking for people with good knowledge in Mineral Processing, Extractive Metallurgy, Recycling, Mine Reclamation, etc.

Who should apply?

Students with a strong interest in Mineral Processing, Extractive Metallurgy, Recycling, Mine Reclamation, etc.

How to choose a research proposal topic?

It would be preferable if the proposal is related to the laboratory's research profile and the topic of the applicant's interest.

How the research proposal is evaluated?

We evaluate the student proposal based on (1) basic knowledge and understanding the research question, (2) strong motivation to solve the question and finish your Master's or Doctoral course (3) story of the proposal and logical discussion and (4) English.

Plan to accept applicants

Application type	Enrollment semester	Master’s course	Doctoral course	Comments
MEXT Scholarship (Uniform call)	Oct. 2022	〇	〇
MEXT Embassy		〇	〇
e3 Special Selection	Oct. 2022	〇	〇

How to apply

Please follow the application procedure for the respective application category announced at the e3 web page.

Accepting Research Students

We accept applicants as Research Students prior to entering Master's or Doctoral program. Please check the e3 web page for information about the research students.

Availability of financial support

Please check the e3 web page for information about the scholarships and other financial support.

Inquiries

If you have any inquiries about the application and admission procedures etc., please contact the e3 office. You can submit your application on-line during the "matching period" irrespective of prior contact with potential supervisor(s).