Proposed PhD project: Development of new methodologies for quantifying uranium minerals in complex uranium bearing ores

The chemistry involved in extracting uranium from uranium bearing ores is complex due to uranium bearing ores containing a number of different uranium minerals in addition to the other numerous minerals / compounds found in these ore bodies. In order to gain a better understanding of the chemistry of uranium extraction from uranium bearing ores detailed information on the type and quantity of uranium minerals present in feed ores is required. The aforementioned information is however difficult to obtain using current techniques due to uranium minerals usually being found in ores in very low concentrations as very fine grains. In addition the current techniques that are capable of providing the aforementioned information are laborious and expensive and cannot be used for analysing a large number of samples in a short time frame.

The main aim of this research project will be to investigate the development of new methodologies for determining / characterising the uranium minerals found in uranium bearing ores. It will involve studies using a range of instrument techniques including a new microprobe technique recently developed at the CSIRO.

The successful applicant will be based at the City campus of the School of Applied Sciences and will also be required to undertake research at the CSIRO’s laboratories in Clayton.

Value: $27,000 per year (for 3 years).
Eligibility: Open to both local and international students.
How to apply: Contact Professor Suresh Bhargava.
Opening date: Mid 2011
Closing date: March 2012

More information
Top-up Scholarship of up to $10,000 per annum is available to doctoral students who gain an Australian Postgraduate Award (APA) scholarship starting in 2012.

For further information please contact Dr James Tardio or Professor Suresh Bhargava.

For more information, please visit official website: www.rmit.edu.au.

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