The Scholarship

PhD Studentship
Experimental Investigation of Fluid Flow and Mass Transport in Heap Leaching
Imperial College London – Department of Earth Science and Engineering

Starting between September – December 2010

Overview
A Rio Tinto studentship is being offered to an excellent student in Chemical Engineering, Minerals Processing or related disciplines. The studentship will cover all student fees, and also offers a tax-free stipend of approximately £15,590 per annum for the period 2010/2011. Applications will be considered from both local and overseas students.

Heap leaching is a process for extracting metals from ores. It is rapidly increasing in its usage due to lower operating and capital costs compared to more conventional extraction methods. Understanding the fluid flow and mass transport processes occurring within the heap is essential to improving its design and operation.

This project will be predominantly experimental and will involve the use of a variety of techniques to investigate fluid flow within heaps at both the laboratory and pilot scale. The candidate should have a good understanding of fluid dynamics and desirably some knowledge or experience of minerals processing.

For more information or to apply, please contact Dr Stephen Neethling (s.neethling@imperial.ac.uk ). Details of the criteria required by Imperial College can be found at: www.imperial.ac.uk/pgprospectus/studyzone/registrationforhigherdegrees

Application forms and instructions can be obtained from our website: (http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/earthscienceandengineering/courses/phdopportunities/phdapplicationprocedure) or from Ms Samantha Delamaine (e-mail: sam.delamaine@imperial.ac.uk or Tel: +44 (0) 207 594 7339).

Applicants will be processed when received with the expectation that the post will be filled by September 2010 and no later than December 2010