Overview
Background
Biography:
Associate Professor James Vaughan is the Chemical Engineering Metallurgy Major Lead and Leader of the Hydrometallurgy Research Group. He obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering at McGill University followed by Master of Applied Science and PhD degrees in Materials Engineering at The University of British Columbia in Canada. Before joining UQ, James gained industrial metallurgical process research and development experience with Glencore, Barrick and BHP. While at UQ, James served as Director of the University of Queensland Rio Tinto Bauxite & Alumina Technology Centre and has been Lead Chief Investigator of Australian Research Council Linkage and Discovery Projects. He is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) and the Advanced Materials and Batteries Council (AMBC).
Research:
James' research focuses on the fundamental aspects of leaching, ion exchange and precipitation reactions as well as membrane separations. These projects are of interest to the base metals, precious metals and alumina refining industries as well as in the fabrication of value added materials such as lithium ion battery cathode precursors and zeolites.
Current Projects:
- Extracting Queensland's rare earth elements sustainably (Queensland Department of Resources)
- Copper process innovations (UniQuest)
- New approach for producing zeolites from clay or mine tailings (Zeotech)
- Inorganic membrane percrystallisation in hydrometallurgy (ARC Discovery)
- Improving pressure oxidation for refractory gold (Newmont)
- Effects of solution impurities on gold leaching (Newmont and BHP ARC Linkage)
- Recycling vanadium catalyst (QEM Critical Minerals Trailblazer)
- Purification of battery metal solution (Lanxess Critical Minerals Trailblazer)
- Recycling batteries (V Resource)
Teaching and Learning:
- Hydrometallurgy and Electrometallurgy (METL6204)
- Metal Production and Recycling (METL2201)
Availability
- Associate Professor James Vaughan is:
- Not available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of British Columbia
Research interests
-
Hydrometallurgy
leaching, precipitation, crystallisation, ion exchange, membranes, electrowinning
Research impacts
My research in hydrometallurgy is used for process development and improvements. Examples of contributions are as follows:
- Selective acid leach process for refining mixed Ni-Co hydroxide precipitate licensed to Pure Battery Technologies
- Low cost zeolite production technology licensed to Zeotech
- New approaches for bauxite impurity management in the production of alumina
- A hydrometallurgical route for recovering Ni and K from agromined bio-ore
- The synergistic copper process
Works
Search Professor James Vaughan’s works on UQ eSpace
2020
Other Outputs
Method of ore processing using mixture including acidic leach solution and oxidizing agent
Vaughan, James and Hawker, William (2020). Method of ore processing using mixture including acidic leach solution and oxidizing agent. 10,662,503.
2020
Other Outputs
Method for separating radionuclides from ores, ore concentrates, and tailings
Vaughan, James and Fu, Weng (2020). Method for separating radionuclides from ores, ore concentrates, and tailings. 2020901528.
2020
Journal Article
Acid Leaching of Desilication Products: Implications for Acid Neutralisation of Bauxite Residue
Peng, Hong, Kim, Tae and Vaughan, James (2020). Acid Leaching of Desilication Products: Implications for Acid Neutralisation of Bauxite Residue. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 59 (17) acs.iecr.0c00423, 8174-8182. doi: 10.1021/acs.iecr.0c00423
2020
Journal Article
The DSP concentrate sinter-leach process for aluminium and sodium recovery 1
Hodge, Harrison, Hayes, Peter C., Hawker, William and Vaughan, James (2020). The DSP concentrate sinter-leach process for aluminium and sodium recovery 1. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, 131 (1), 1-9. doi: 10.1080/25726641.2020.1727175
2020
Journal Article
Processing mixed nickel‑cobalt hydroxide precipitate by sulfuric acid leaching followed by selective oxidative precipitation of cobalt and manganese
Ichlas, Z. T., Mubarok, M. Z., Magnalita, A., Vaughan, J. and Sugiarto, A. T. (2020). Processing mixed nickel‑cobalt hydroxide precipitate by sulfuric acid leaching followed by selective oxidative precipitation of cobalt and manganese. Hydrometallurgy, 191 105185, 105185. doi: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2019.105185
2020
Conference Publication
Inhibition of Kaolinite Dissolution in Bayer Liquor Through Lithium Addition
Ogilvie, Horace, Vaughan, James and Peng, Hong (2020). Inhibition of Kaolinite Dissolution in Bayer Liquor Through Lithium Addition. 149th TMS Annual Meeting and Exhibition - Light Metals 2020, San Diego, CA United States, 23-27 February 2020. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-36408-3_5
2019
Journal Article
The anion effect on sodium aluminosilicates formed under Bayer process digestion conditions
Vogrin, John, Santini, Talitha, Peng, Hong and Vaughan, James (2019). The anion effect on sodium aluminosilicates formed under Bayer process digestion conditions. Hydrometallurgy, 192 105236, 105236. doi: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2019.105236
2019
Journal Article
The aqueous chemistry of Polonium (Po) in environmental and anthropogenic processes
Ram, Rahul, Vaughan, James, Etschmann, Barbara and Brugger, Joël (2019). The aqueous chemistry of Polonium (Po) in environmental and anthropogenic processes. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 380 120725, 120725. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.06.002
2019
Other Outputs
Process for high purity alumina
Vaughan, James, Peng, Hong, Gudgeon, James and Kelly, Kieran (2019). Process for high purity alumina. 2019904388.
2019
Journal Article
The influence of biologically produced sulfide-containing solutions on nickel and cobalt precipitation reactions and particle settling properties
Liu, Yun, Serrano, Antonio, Vaughan, James, Southam, Gordon, Zhao, Ling and Villa-Gomez, Denys (2019). The influence of biologically produced sulfide-containing solutions on nickel and cobalt precipitation reactions and particle settling properties. Hydrometallurgy, 189 105142, 105142. doi: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2019.105142
2019
Conference Publication
The single-stage up-flow fixed bed reactor (UFBR) treating nickel and cobalt-containing wastewater
Liu, Yun, Serrano, Antonio, Vaughan, James, Southam, Gordon, Nancucheo, Ivan and Villa Gomez, Denys K. (2019). The single-stage up-flow fixed bed reactor (UFBR) treating nickel and cobalt-containing wastewater. 23rd International Bio-hydrometalurgy Symposium, Fukuoka, Japan, 20–23 October 201.
2019
Journal Article
Bauxite residue sinter leach process – phases formation, reaction pathways and kinetics
Hodge, Harrison, Rowles, Matthew R., Hayes, Peter C., Hawker, William and Vaughan, James (2019). Bauxite residue sinter leach process – phases formation, reaction pathways and kinetics. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy: Transactions of the Institutions of Mining and Metallurgy, 130 (4), 1-13. doi: 10.1080/25726641.2019.1644778
2019
Conference Publication
Ni stress to sulphate reducing bacteria enhances Ni complexation: Opportunity for Ni-Co separation from wastewater
Liu, Yun, Wyman, Valentina, Serrano, Antonio, Southam, Gordon, Vaughan, James and Villa Gomez, Denys K. (2019). Ni stress to sulphate reducing bacteria enhances Ni complexation: Opportunity for Ni-Co separation from wastewater. IWA 16th World Conference on Anaerobic Digestion Conference AD16, Delft, The Netherlands, 23-27 June 2019.
2019
Journal Article
The sandy desilication product process concept
Vaughan, James , Peng, Hong , Seneviratne, Dilini , Hodge, Harrison , Hawker, William , Hayes, Peter and Staker, Warren (2019). The sandy desilication product process concept. JOM, 71 (9), 2928-2935. doi: 10.1007/s11837-019-03617-2
2019
Other Outputs
Synthesis of adsorption materials
Peng, Hong and Vaughan, James (2019). Synthesis of adsorption materials. 2019901952.
2019
Journal Article
Novel membrane percrystallisation process for nickel sulphate production
Madsen, Rasmus S.K., Motuzas, Julius, Julbe, Anne, Vaughan, James and Diniz da Costa, João C. (2019). Novel membrane percrystallisation process for nickel sulphate production. Hydrometallurgy, 185, 210-217. doi: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2019.02.015
2019
Journal Article
Nucleation phenomena of supersaturated KCl solutions revealing by molecular dynamic simulation: implication of dehydration shell process
Peng, Hong, Gudgeon, James and Vaughan, James (2019). Nucleation phenomena of supersaturated KCl solutions revealing by molecular dynamic simulation: implication of dehydration shell process. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 283, 108-115. doi: 10.1016/j.molliq.2019.03.076
2019
Journal Article
Analysis of a reactive distillation process to recover tertiary amines and acid for use in a combined nickel extraction‐mineral carbonation process
Zappala, Lauren C., Balucan, Reydick D., Vaughan, James and Steel, Karen M. (2019). Analysis of a reactive distillation process to recover tertiary amines and acid for use in a combined nickel extraction‐mineral carbonation process. Environmental Progress and Sustainable Energy, 38 (3) ep.13141, e13141. doi: 10.1002/ep.13141
2019
Conference Publication
Development of selective nickel leaching technology for refining mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide precipitate
Vaughan, James, Lakemond, Stefan, Hawker, William, Wilmot, Stephen, Wittig, Richard and Zikarsky, Bjorn (2019). Development of selective nickel leaching technology for refining mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide precipitate. ALTA 2019 Nickel-Cobalt-Copper Conference, Perth, WA Australia, 20-22 May 2019. Melbourne, VIC Australia: ALTA.
2019
Book Chapter
Quantitative X-ray diffraction study into bauxite residue mineralogical phases
Vogrin, John, Hodge, Harrison, Santini, Talitha, Peng, Hong and Vaughan, James (2019). Quantitative X-ray diffraction study into bauxite residue mineralogical phases. Light metals 2019. (pp. 93-99) edited by Corleen Chesonis. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-05864-7_13
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor James Vaughan is:
- Not available for supervision
Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Doctor Philosophy
Impurity control in Rare Earth Element Processing
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ummul Sultana
-
Doctor Philosophy
Interactions of inorganic components in process water with gold
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yongjun Peng
-
Doctor Philosophy
Interactions of organic components in process water with gold
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yongjun Peng
-
Doctor Philosophy
Fundamental research on zeolite nucleation and particle growth
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hong Peng
-
Doctor Philosophy
From Nickel Tailings to Carbonates: Utilising AEM Electrolysers for Simultaneous H2SO4 Recycling and CO2 Sequestration
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone, Associate Professor Karen Steel
-
Doctor Philosophy
Improved Predictions of Acid and Metalliferous Drainage for Greenfield Projects Inform Better Design of Waste Rock Dumps
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mandana Shaygan, Professor Mansour Edraki
Completed supervision
-
2025
Doctor Philosophy
Percrystallisation for Producing Cathode Active Material
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tony Howes, Dr Julius Motuzas
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Development of Carbon-based Membranes for the Percrystallisation of Aqueous Salt Solutions
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julius Motuzas
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Fundamentals of sodium aluminosilicate precipitation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hong Peng
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Increasing Desilication Product Particle Size to Enable its Physical Separation from Bayer Residue
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hong Peng
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Fundamentals of Partial Pressure Oxidation of Gold Bearing Sulphide Minerals
Principal Advisor
-
2020
Master Philosophy
The Effect of Cations on Bayer Process Desilication and the Lithium Opportunity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hong Peng
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Sintering Method for Recycling Sodium and Aluminium from Bayer Desilication Product: Reaction Mechanisms and Novel Process Development
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Hayes
-
2017
Master Philosophy
Stabilisation of Mercury to a Non-Volatile Phase in Bayer Process Digestion
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor William Clarke
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
A novel low-energy process route for primary copper production utilising synergistic hydro- and pyro-metallurgical processes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Hayes
-
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Crystallisation of tricalcium aluminate for use as a Bayer liquor filter aid
Principal Advisor
-
2015
Doctor Philosophy
Mercury Deportment in the Bayer Process and Highly Alkaline Solution Electrochemistry
Principal Advisor
-
2013
Doctor Philosophy
Recovery of nickel and cobalt from laterite tailings through scavenging with ion exchange resin and selective ammoniacal elution
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Peter Hayes
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
A novel and sustainable process for the recovery of nickel from laterite ores with concomitant sequestration of carbon dioxide.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karen Steel
-
2021
Master Philosophy
Diagnostic leaching of radionuclide containing copper concentrates
Associate Advisor
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Strategies for nickel and cobalt recovery from mine-impacted water using sulfate-reducing bacteria
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gordon Southam, Dr Denys Villa Gomez
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Using Municipal Solid Waste as a Carbon Source for Biogenic H2S production
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ilje Pikaar, Dr Denys Villa Gomez, Professor William Clarke
-
2018
Master Philosophy
Novel Percrystallisation Process by Inorganic Carbon Membranes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Julius Motuzas
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor James Vaughan directly for media enquiries about:
- Hydrometallurgy
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