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Form of work
SalaryResearch Associate (Grade 7) or Research Assistant (Grade 6): Remediation of Mine Tailings.
Mine tailings are a significant environmental challenge globally but may also represent viable resources of metals that, if they can be viably extracted, would reduce the need for new mining and enable environmental remediation. The successful candidate will contribute to a joint UK-Philippine team to design and test novel solvents, such as organic acids, that are optimised to leach target metals and contaminants from Cu-Au tailings and Ni-laterite ores in the Philippines. This work will be part of the PROMT (Philippines Remediation of Mine Tailings) multi-institution consortium comprising almost 50 researchers who aim to innovate sustainable tailings management, remediation, and rehabilitation in the Philippines (https://le.ac.uk/news/2021/november/promt).
Testing of metal leaching will involve both laboratory scale and field mesocosm experiments in the Philippines and you will be interacting with researchers using geoelectrical techniques to monitor solvent movement and reaction, as well as plant scientists and microbiologists who will be investigating the effects of the solvents on flora and microbiota. Our ultimate aim is to demonstrate application of the solvents to recover metals in situ, whilst leaving benign residues that promote ecosystem development. The postholder will collaborate with and support researchers in other consortium institutions as well as Leicester to achieve these aims.
A major phase of field experiments in the Philippines, in Manila and at the Padcal Mine, is planned for May. Therefore, we would like the candidate to start as soon as possible – by early May at the latest. Availability to travel to the Philippines in May to take part on the experiments is essential.
