Sustainable Materials Recovery Processes : Biological and Membrane-Based Technologies

This book reviews the principles and challenges of biomining, bioflotation, and membrane separation technologies as applied to the hydrometallurgical field, including recent technological developments. It explores the evolution of biomining and bioflotation within the hydrometallurgical industry over recent years, emphasizing the increasing diversity of bioreagents, their mechanisms of action, and the classification of processes based on their fields of application. The book also discusses the sustainability of mineral processing technologies.

• Provides valuable insights into innovative technologies and methodologies that enhance sustainability in mineral recovery processes
• Brings together biological and membrane-based technologies within a single comprehensive volume
• Discusses the impact of bioengineering on the advancement of biomining and bioflotation
• Explores interactions between microorganisms and minerals
• Reviews the use of biomining for the beneficiation of precious metals from secondary minerals

This book is intended for graduate students, researchers, and professionals in mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, geochemistry, environmental science, and chemical engineering.

Elvis Fosso-Kankeu has a doctorate degree from the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. He is currently a Professor in the Department of Metallurgy at the University of Johannesburg. His research focuses on the hydrometallurgical extraction of metal from solid phases, prediction of pollutants dispersion from industrial areas, and on the development of effective and sustainable methods for the removal of inorganic and organic pollutants from polluted water. He is considered as an established researcher according to the National Research Foundation (NRF) rating standard. He has published more than 250 papers including journal articles, books, book chapters and conference proceeding papers. He has extensive experience as book editor, having edited more than ten books with many well-established publishers. He has won several research awards including the NSTF Award (National Science and Technology Forum: largest science, engineering, technology and innovation awards in South Africa and are known as the “Science Oscars” of recent times) Engineering Research Capacity Development, in 2019. Moreover, Prof. Fosso-Kankeu has a H-index of 26 on Scopus and 33 on Google Scholar with about 4125 citations.

Antoine F. Mulaba-Bafubiandi, the founding Chair of the Mineral Processing and Technology Research Center, University of Johannesburg, is Emeritus (Full) professor from the Faculty of Engineering and The Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg. With a doctoral qualification (PhD in Engineering [Extraction Metallurgy] from the KULeuven [Belgium]), a master’s degree in engineering), a License in Physics (5 years) and a Master degree in Business administration (MBA), He is the first Head of School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering (for more than two terms), Faculty of Engineering and The Built Environment at the University of Johannesburg. He was listed (up to 2021) by the South African National Foundation Research Foundation (NRF) as an “Established Researcher”. As demonstrated in his research profile, his peers acknowledge him as a prolific research publisher. He has experience and good reputation in developing human and research capacity in all the minerals industry value chain areas as many of his supervised and coached former students are now managers in the mining industry, University Professors, decision makers and technology innovators and developers. His research interests in mining and Extraction span from 4 IR as applied to mining, mineral beneficiation and value addition, industry symbiosis, minerals for energy transition, platinum, chromite and gold. energy minerals, to mineral beneficiation and value addition while in business management he studies and supervises Master’s degree and PhD research projects on the effectiveness in the use of disruptive technologies in organizations and businesses, setting and implementation of change management, governance principles and per King’s recommendations, strategy, development of appropriate technologies for the mining industry and conducts community engagement projects ensuring sustainable interventions in communities as “living laboratories. His list of publications shows more than 100 research outputs in international peer refereed journals, international conferences and as technical notes. He has strong industry ties and has been a consultant for numerous mining and process companies in South Africa, regionally as well as abroad. His passion for innovation, technology development and problem solving led him to successfully supervise and graduate more than 10 doctoral researchers and 300 Masters degree students in mining, mineral as well as in business fields.

Mamookho Elizabeth Makhatha is a registered professional natural scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat-), rated by South African National Research Foundation (NRF) and a Full Professor at Metallurgy Department, Faulty of Engineering the Built Environment, University of Johannesburg. She is a Physical Chemist with PhD in Polymers science. Her research interests are in chemistry of materials, chemical degradation of materials and materials for electrochemical devices, Polymer composites, microstructure, phase transformation, crystallinity, and solidification of materials (Polymers and Alloys). She prepares, characterise materials and adjust parameters for different applications that needs smart/advanced materials for high performance. She publishes journal articles in these areas of research and plays a role as a reviewer for reputable journals – including high impact factor and Q1.

Willie Nheta is an Associate Professor of Mineral processing at the University of Johannesburg. He has more than 18 years combined experience in Research, Teaching and learning. His expertise is in Extraction Metallurgy. He is an NRF rated researcher and a member of SAIMM. He has h-index of 7 in google scholar and has supervised and co-supervised more 12 master’s students, 5 PhD students and 1 post doc student. He has published 2 book chapters on the application of nanotechnology in Mineral Froth Flotation Technology and several papers on flotation of PGMs.