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Master Thesis Collection

EMerald programme students have developed a wide range of theses that cover a broad spectrum of the resources engineering field. Our students aim to expand research and innovation in the field and explore sustainability applications in the wider industry. Please find a selection of all of our cohorts' theses below.
Development of a methodology to characterize samples containing gold and tellurium to better identify and assess the deportment of these elements between bearing phases: a case study (Macassa processing plant)

Giuseppe Messora

ULiège

Integrated Geochemical and Mineralogical Characterisation of Thalanga Mine Waste, Assessment of AMD, and Critical Element Potential

Joseph Kamara

ULiège

Physical separation and hydrometallurgical processing of a metallic concentrate produced by delamination of printed circuit boards (PCB) to co-valorise tin and gold with copper

Lucia Angée Moreno

UL

3D Geological Modelling of Uranium Bearing Ikansk Formation (Eocene), South Tortkuduk Field, Chu- Sarysu Basin, Southern Kazakhstan

Bekzhan Smagambetov

UL

Recovery of Copper from Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipments: Exploring the Role of Biochar as a Reducing Agent

Burak Topcu

TUBAF

Data-driven analysis of dilution factors in dredge mining: addressing fast percolation challenges from an ore body knowledge perspective at grande côte operations (gco), Senegal

Francisco Cuadra

ULiège

Gruvberget hematite to produce a product used for ballast and/or high density concrete

Kelly Mangwengwende

LTU

Investigation on the Effect of Thermal Pre-treatments on Mechanical Processing and Froth Flotation of Lithium Iron Phosphate Batteries

Charmaine Pangilinan

TUBAF

Influence of Thermal Pre-Treatment on the Magnetic Separation of Black Mass from the Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Abeer Sajjid

TUBAF

Improving recycling rates of lithium ion battery: enhancing cathode active particle separation from electrode production waste and industrial black mass through froth flotation

Vanessa Aquino Chaves

UL

Variation in graphite removal from spent EV black mass

Gonzalo Martinez

LTU

Development of a geometallurgical test for flotation indicator in gold-bearing sulphide and based-metal sulphide ores

Anum Razzaq

UL

Modeling and Simulation of Primary Grinding Circuit in LKAB Malmberget Concentrating Plant

Javier Escalante

LTU

Sustainable Dry Separation Solutions for Boliden Ores and Slags

Cole Thomas

LTU

Advanced texture analysis for prognosis in Mineral Processing and Geometallurgy

Aghata Zarelli Viana

LTU

Using Equotip® as a novel, non-destructive, and predictive comminution geometallurgical tool - Nordic ore deposits case studies

Wilbern Blitz Paeste

LTU

Recovery of By-products from Beauvoir Rare Metal Granite: Flotation of Mica, Phosphate, and Quartz-Feldspar Separation

Muhammad Faizan Khaliq

UL

Optimizing Flotation for Improved Recovery of Coarse Lepidolite Particles and Rheological Characterization of Lepidolite and Quartz Suspensions

Lais Lima

UL

Comminution Effects on the Recovery of Critical Metals (Nb, Ta, Sn) as By-Products in Lithium Extraction from the Beauvoir Granite

Oguzhan Yildirim

UL

Use of ultrasound treatment to increase the iron recovery in ultrafine tailings

Jessica Dias

UL

Evaluating sensor-based sorting technology and multi-stage separation for recycling

Zara Zafar

TUBAF

Beneficiation tests of hematite ore from Malmberget

Iyani Muthuduka

LTU

Lithium iron phosphate battery recycling

Chiedza Nzuma

TUBAF

Investigating the effect of grinding method on ore beneficiation behaviour

Mellisa Mundida

LTU

Process mineralogy in 3D – the quantitative characterization of iron ore samples using computed tomography

Vivian Moutinho

TUBAF

Source of the sulphur fluctuations in the Malmberget magnetite concentrate

Felipe Gonzalez

LTU

Processing of Li-ion battery active material through hydrometallurgy - Study of ferrous iron reductive leaching catalysed by metallic copper

Michèle Batutiako

ULiège

Investigation of the effect from ore mineralogy (clay content, gold occurence) on precious metals flotation at the Dundee Precious Metals Krumovgrad plant

Bastien Demeusy

ULiège

3D geological-geophysical and geochemical modeling of the Russell Lake property and its uranium occurrences (SK, Canada)

Joseph Bravo

UL

XRF Spectroscopy in Analytical Multi-Sensor Drill Core-Scanning: Evaluating the Potential of Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis for Aguas Teñidas Deposit, Iberian Pyrite Belt, Spain

Milkias Semereab

ULiège

Valorisation study of manganese fine particles

Luciana Rodrigues de Faria

UL

Competitive Business framework design toward the circular economy

Kianoosh Amoorizi

LTU

Characterisation of sinter mineralogy through image analysis under reflected light optical microscope with focus on primary and secondary hematite distinction.

Barbara Dornelas

ULiège

Examination of micro-scale sulfide distribution for the gold mineralization in the Lappberget deposit, Garpenberg mine, Sweden: towards a geometallurgical approach

Leo Barbosa

LTU

Ultrafine Talc Flotation Using Hydrodynamic Cavitation Systems

July-Ann Bazar

LTU

Exploring effects of hydrodynamic flotation variables on their representative metallurgical responses through a laboratory scaling up

Mohazzam Saeed

LTU

A geometallurgical approach towards the correlation between rock type mineralogy and grindability: A case study in Aitik mine, Sweden

Raoul Schmitt

LTU

Improving the solid-liquid separation of the final tailings at the DPM Krumovgrad plant and evaluation of the process water chemistry effects on flotation

Pasindu Rathnayaka Mundiyanselage

ULiège

A geometallurgical study of the phosphates of the Dorowa carbonatite complex, Zimbabwe

Vimbainashe Dzimbanhete

ULiège

Pretreatment processing and recycling-oriented characterization of micromobility spent lithium-ion batteries

Ervin Veress

ULiège

Process-oriented Characterization of Platinum Group Metals from Spent Automotive Catalysts and Evaluating Future Urban Mines

Ali Hassan

ULiège

Evaluating rougher-scavenger flotation circuits using geometallurgical particle-based approach

Luis Huaman Mamani

LTU

Development and Optimization of Hydrometallurgical Process for the Recycling of Lithium-Ion Batteries

Antônio de Souza Braga Neto

UL

Recovery of critical metals (Li, Ta, Nb, Be) from rare metals granite using intensive technology

Carlos Arias Quintero

UL

Characterization and beneficiation of iron ore slimes by flotation

Anna Skliar

UL

Development of Combined Microbubbles Flotation for Fine Particles Recovery

Mariana Tavares de Oliveira

UL

Evaluation of the influence of different recycling processes on the liberation and separation efficiency of (anode-graphite and cathode-metal oxide) active particles from spent Lithium-ion Batteries

Neil Hayagan

TUBAF

Cassiterite Flotation in the Context of the Tellerhäuser Pilot Plant

Hilary Chelsea Chan

TUBAF

Lab experiments using different flotation cell geometries

Carolina de Souza

LTU

Separation of anode from cathode material from End of Life Li-ion batteries (LIBs)

Natalia Meireles

LTU

Simulated recycled powders for Additive Manufacturing

Hugo Jakomulski

TUBAF

Comparison of 3D ( X-Ray computed tomography) vs 2D ( Mineral Liberation Analysis) particle information in mineral processing simulations

Asim Siddique

TUBAF

Flotation of Yxsjöberg historical tungsten ore tailings

Princess Rochelle Gan

LTU

Processing and flow behaviour of Regolith Simulant

Caroline Jurjanz

TUBAF

Preliminary Resource Evaluation of Strategic Critical Metals (Nb-Ta) using the Geometallurgical Model of Alluvial Volcano-Sedimentary TTG deposit in Guiana Shield, French Guiana

Davit Hayrapetyan

UL

Process mineralogy of the new polymetallic ores from Draa Sfar project extension (Morocco)

Corinne Parent

ULiège

Supervised classification of the Magdalena VMS deposit using Support Vector Machines. Drillcore scanning using SWIR hyperspectral imagery

Bob de Waard

ULiège

Mineralogical and geometallurgical evaluation of the final flotation tailing at DPM-Chelopech in view of their environmental behaviour and paste to fill properties

Carolina Mafra

ULiège

Cross-validation of Automated Quantitative Mineralogical Analysis Results of Mixed Copper Ore and Developments in Methodologies Using Correlative Microscopy

Chryselle Ultima Mancenido

ULiège

Recycling of waste printed circuit boards through the combination of non-destructive characterization and mechanical processing operations

Pedro Cesar Pereira Gonçalves

UL

Effect of Mineralogy on Grinding Energy of Mont-Wright Ore

Nubia Bottosso

UL

Recovery of fine particles from old iron tailing trough intensive flotation (VALE S.A)

Alexandre Piçarra

UL

Do Clay Minerals affect the thickener operation in Chuquicamata mine, Calama, Chile?

Chris Soto

LTU

UL

Cassiterite flotation of complex fine-grained ore materials

Wesley Paul Chan

TUBAF

Metal Deportment and Ore Variability Studies of the Bolcana Porphyry Copper–Gold System, Apuseni Mountains, Romania

Rosie Blannin

TUBAF

Characterisation and beneficiation of pyrolized black mass: Increasing the recycling recovery of spent lithium ion batteries

Anna Vandrebruggen

TUBAF

Multi-sensor analysis of Aguas Teñidas, Magdalena, Sotiel and Majada deposits, Iberian Pyrite Belt, Spain: Analytical drill core-scanning for optimised exploration of ore

Pedro Simões Teixeira

ULiège

Upscaling of RoStar fine grinding mill – geometallurgical follow-up

Aleksandar Stefanov

ULiège

Recovery of Ni, Mo, Co from the copper slag processed by flotation at Aurubis slag flotation plant

Silvanna Bertoglio

ULiège

Process of water salinity on flotation performance in a two-phase (air, water) and three-phase (gas, water, solid) system. Appl- reverse cationic flotation magnetite concentrate

Shujaat Ali

UL

3D Geological and Geochemical Modeling of the Maverick Uranium Deposit, Moore Lakes Project, Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada

Ranee Joshi

UL

Pre-concentration of lateritic nickel ore from new caledonia by physical seperation methods

Erhan Noyan Palabiyik

UL

Textural and Mineralogical Characterisation of Li-pegmatite Deposit: Using Microanalytical and Image Analysis to Link Micro and Macro Properties of Spodumene in Drill Cores

Sebastian Guiral

LTU

Characterisation of Historical Tungsten Ore Tailings for Pre-selection of Feasible Reprocessing Methods (Yxsjöberg, Sweden)

Pourya Khavari

LTU

All other Cohort 4 Thesis Titles

All Partner Universities

Cassiterite flotation and pre-concentration of a fine grained complex ore

Jennifer Astoveza

TUBAF

Geometallurgical Variability Study of Spodumene Pegmatite Ores, Central Ostrobothnia - Finland (Keliber Oy)

Dandara Ataide Salvador

LTU

Pre-concentration Of Nickel Laterite Ore from New Caledonia

Frima Dhani

UL

Investigation of the visible and invisible gold distribution in the Certej deposit (Romania) through gravity concentration

Laura Hughes

ULiège

Recovery of lithium minerals from LCT pegmatite ores

Lichao Lyu

UL

Rare Earth elements as a possible by-product at the Catalão I Nb deposit, Brazil: a geometallurgical approach

Lucas Pereira

TUBAF

A Geometallurgical Forecast Model for Predicting Concentrate Quality in WLIMS Process for Leveäniemi Ore

Kartikay Singh

LTU

Classification of Drill Core Textures for Process Simulation in Geometallurgy: Aitik Mine, Sweden

Glacialle Tiu

LTU

Hydro Flow Sorting of electrode foils from Li-ion traction batteries

Pei Wang

TUBAF

All other Cohort 3 Thesis Titles

All Partner Universities

A lab scale froth flotation study of tungsten bearing tailings of the Barruecopardo mine ( Spain) within the EU Horizon2020 OptimOre Project

Reinol Josef Compañero

TUBAF

Investigation of drilling and blasting operations

Sibele Do Nascimento

TUBAF

Geometallurgical estimation of comminution indices for porhyry copper deposit applying mineralogical approach (Boliden)

Danish Bilal

LTU

Possibilities for increased recovery of copper and precious metals bearing minerals at the bulk and copper selective flotation stages at Chelopech concentrator, Bulgaria (Dundee Precious Metals)

Dejan Naumov

ULiège

Application of Mid-Indrared Reflectance Spectroscopy for the Identification of Minerals present in Oil & Gas/ Mining exploration (Epslog)

Marjorie Joassin

ULiège

Increasing the recovery of valuable metals from the ores of Assarel mine

Ivan Korolev

ULiège

All other Cohort 2 Thesis Titles

All Partner Universities

Rheological Behavior in Concentrated Suspension of Fine Particle Mixture to Enhance Ore Beneficiation by Flotation

Mahamudul Hashan

UL

INFLUENCE OF PARTICLE SIZE AND GRINDING MEDIA ON THE FLOTATION OF SULFIDE MINERALS FROM ROUGHER MAGNETITE CONCENTRATE OF MAURITANIAN COPPER MINES

Dan Manaig

ULiège

KINETIC AND PROCESS MINERALOGICAL STUDIES UPON THE BULK SULPHIDE FLOTATION CIRCUIT AT DUNDEE PRECIOUS METALS – CHELOPECH CONCENTRATOR IN BULGARIA

Camilo Mena Silva

ULiège

TOWARDS AUTOMATED LOGGING OF ORE
Positive identification of sulphides in the ores of Agnico Eagle Kittilä and New Boliden mines

Anna Arqué Armengol

LTU

INFLUENCE OF IRON SINTER FEED PROPERTIES IN SINTER BED COLD PERMEABILITY

Lucas Beirao Do Valle

ULiège

HYDROGEOLOGICAL MODEL OF AITIK MINE USING LEAPFROG GEO SOFTWARE

Jara Fraile del Rio

LTU

Process mineralogy of manganese ore: jig feed and products (Eramet)

Renato Contessotto

ULiège

Estimation of gold potentials using 3D restoration modeling (Mount Pleasant Area, Western Australia)

Maria Kakurina

UL

Towards automated logging of ore – Positive identification of iron oxide minerals in Malmberget iron ore

Kendro

LTU

Geometallurgical Characterization of Zinkgruvan´s New Orebodies for Their Flotation Properties

Erdogan Kol

LTU

Mineral processing of tailings from former tin-tungsten mining

Bruno Michaux

TUBAF

All other Cohort 1 Thesis Titles

All Partner Universities

Looking to recruit an EMerald programme intern?

The Master thesis project consists of six-month research work in geometallurgy. Three months are dedicated to on-site investigation (dependent on the project). After the on-site data collection period, students work on research at their supervisor university. Master thesis subjects may be proposed by the industrial partner or professors and take place during the fourth semester of the EMerald programme (February to June/August). At the end of the fourth semester a defence of the master thesis is held.

Why should an industrial partner recruit an EMerald programme intern?

EMerald students are talented young professionals from across the globe joining us from a variety of backgrounds. They are trained in the best European universities for one year and a half. The EMerald programme management committee ensure a close fit between the project objectives and the student’s skills and motivation. During their research work, students have access to exceptional facilities and will be supervised by at least one representative of the EMerald consortium. Further to this the EMerald programme is supported by an international academic network.

What kind of project topics can be proposed?

Two important things need to be included:

  • Geometallurgy – both the resource and the process need to be considered (e.g. avoiding purely geological or purely metallurgical works)
  • Innovation and economic impact – the problem addressed needs to improve social, economic and environmental impacts

How can I submit a project?

Download and fill out the subject proposal form below and send it back to emerald@ulg.ac.be. The limits and objectives of the topics will then be adjusted (if necessary) by the academic supervisor. When both the industrial and the academic supervisor have agreed on the subject proposal, the proposal is submitted to the consortium committee for approval.

What are the legal requirements for internships?

The internship is ruled by an internship agreement between the university supervising the student, the hosting institution and the student.

What costs can be covered by the company?

The running costs of the internship must be fully covered by the company (analyses, induction training, shipping of samples etc.). If the mine location is in a remote area, accommodation and transport can be provided to the intern.

What is the role of the company?

The company needs to provide the student with a supervisor which will guide and help the student during the internship and the master thesis. Once the master thesis has been submitted, an oral defence is organised where both the industrial and the academic supervisors are invited to assess the student’s work.

Are there contributions that can be made to the programme?

You can help us by sponsoring the programme through the membership fee (8000€/year). This sponsorship will be offered to a student to help finance their participation costs.

Deadline to submit a topic - June 30th 2020

Topic proposal template

Looking to propose a master thesis intern topic?

There are two ways to find a master thesis project:

  • You can be provided with project options by the consortium
  • You can submit your own project proposal

How can I submit my own topic?

To submit your own master thesis project you will need to make sure that you fulfill the following requirements:

1) Find the right topic

Two important things should be included:

  • Geometallurgy – both the resource and the process need to be considered (e.g. avoiding purely geological or purely metallurgical works)
  • Innovation and economic impact – the problem addressed needs to improve social, economic and environmental impacts

2) Find a company

  • Is the company able to support your project?
  • The internship cannot last longer than three months. We recommend you stay less than three months so that you have enough time afterwards to deal with experimenting and writing
  • Can the company give you full access to data, plant, etc.?
  • Can the company support your research work with samples and analyses (make sure they will deliver on time!)
  • Can the company cover all the analytical costs?

3) Find a supervisor from one of the four Universities

If you fulfill criteria 1 and 2, we can help you with criteria 3. Please ask the support company to fill out the master thesis proposal in the link below and send it to – emerald@uliege.be. This will then be forwarded to the consortium for approval. Once approved, we can try to find the most appropriate professor from the programme to supervise you. You can also contact a professor directly and develop a topic with them.

4) Make sure that the support company will cover all the expenses linked to the internship

Please note that they are not obliged to cover your travel and accommodation costs.   

We also invite the companies to become members of the EMerald programme consortium. This is a contribution of 5000€/year or a scholarship in their name that will cover a student’s full tuition fees (8000€/year). This contribution to the programme is not compulsory, but helps the consortium to organise ongoing field trips and other activities.

Deadline to submit your own topic - 31 August

Topic proposal template

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