Minerals processing research day

(From left) Jose Hernandez-Aguilar (McGill University, Canada), Stephen Grano (IWRI, Australia), Mitra Mirnezami (McGill University), Cyril O' Connor (UCT), Rob Coleman (JKMRC, Australia), S Titkov (Halurgy Institute, Russia), Tshepo Mailula (UCT), Maria Holuszko (UBC, Canada), David Hatton (UCT), Patience Mpofu (IWRI), Jim Finch (McGill University), Janusz Laskowski (UBC), Jan Cilliers (UMIST, United Kingdom), Sergio Vianna (JKMRC), "JP" Franzidis (JKMRC), Tim Napier-Munn (JKMRC) and Dee Bradshaw (UCT).

Modern research is cross-disciplinary with UCT at the forefront, particularly in the field of minerals processing. This was demonstrated by the interest displayed in the International Student Flotation Research Day held recently at the River Club, Observatory.

The event was organised by the Minerals Processing Research Unit (chemical engineering), under the leadership of Professor Cyril O' Connor, dean of engineering and the built environment. It was held on the Friday prior to The XXII International Mineral Processing Congress that took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.

It was an opportunity for postgraduate students in the field of minerals processing to present their work and to interact with students and academics from other academic institutions. The students came from various academic institutions in Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom and South Africa.

"The day was a resounding success with the presentations being of a particularly high standard, which stimulated plenty of discussion," said the unit's Jenny Wiese.