Last month, the department hosted the University of Queensland Metallurgy group as part of their study tour visit to UBC. The tour included an exploration of our hydrometallurgy, electrometallurgy, and mineral processing laboratories, and featured engaging discussions on graduate pathways and postgraduate studies.
Student Reflections
Aiden Fraser, Penultimate student at the University of Queensland
The tour covered a range of educational and industrial services, including research, lab-scale benchmark testing, and postgraduate qualifications. It clarified potential career pathways and the “back-end” of sample analysis. Initially, we were shown the Hydrometallurgy laboratories by Kashif M. Deen, Ph.D., which featured industry-driven projects. My favorite was the alloy analysis determining mechanisms for selective leaching to assist with nuclear energy. Next, Dr. Libin Tong, guided us around the mineral processing laboratory. His advanced understanding of comminution was invaluable, allowing us to ask questions about benchmark testing and its industry applications, as well as risk analysis for safety during dangerous tests. Lastly, a Q&A session with Associate Prof. Ben Britton focused on postgraduate certification through master’s and Ph.D. programs. He explained the differences between co-op and thesis-based qualifications and offered advice on navigating the North American educational system to enter desired programs. Of all the experiences, the Q&A session on postgraduate qualifications was my favorite, as these processes are often opaque and frustrating for the layman.
Lara Way, Masters student at the University of Queensland
As Aiden mentioned, this tour had several highlights. I particularly enjoyed the tour of Dr. Edouard Asselin’s laboratory, where we learnt about bioleaching research on arsenic for gold extraction from arsenopyrite. We also delved into corrosion issues in nuclear reactors, a crucial topic as nuclear energy contributes about 15% of Canada’s power. The discussion focused on how nickel dissolution in alloys causes corrosion and explored optimal coatings and new alloy compositions. Learning about alloy polarisation during synthesis in the corrosion laboratories was also a highlight of this tour. We toured UBC’s mineral processing facilities, where it was great to see familiar technologies like the HPGR, JK Drop Weight Test, Knelson concentrator, and high tension roll separator. Hearing from technicians about machine maintenance and the overall process to complete test work was something I came to appreciate during the tour and will remember for my future industry career. Finally, the graduate Q&A session with Associate Professor Ben Britton was particularly informative as I have commenced my Master’s degree. Ben shared common mistakes students make in postgraduate studies and offered advice on maximising the experience, which I greatly appreciated.