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
2018
Conference Publication
Deportment of radionuclides during copper concentrate metathesis reactions
Byrne, Kelly, Hawker, William and Vaughan, James (2018). Deportment of radionuclides during copper concentrate metathesis reactions. ALTA 2018, Perth, WA Australia, 19-26 May 2018. Melbourne, VIC Australia: ALTA Metallurgical Services.
2018
Journal Article
Aluminate effect on desilication product phase transformation
Peng, Hong and Vaughan, James (2018). Aluminate effect on desilication product phase transformation. Journal of Crystal Growth, 492, 84-91. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2018.04.013
2018
Journal Article
Novel inorganic membrane for the percrystallization of mineral, food and pharmaceutical compounds
Motuzas, Julius, Yacou, Christelle, Madsen, Rasmus S. K., Fu, Weng, Wang, David K., Julbe, Anne, Vaughan, James and da Costa, João C. (2018). Novel inorganic membrane for the percrystallization of mineral, food and pharmaceutical compounds. Journal of Membrane Science, 550, 407-415. doi: 10.1016/j.memsci.2017.12.077
2018
Journal Article
The effect of thermal activation of kaolinite on its dissolution and reprecipitation as zeolites in alkaline aluminate solution
Peng, Hong, Vaughan, James and Vogrin, John (2018). The effect of thermal activation of kaolinite on its dissolution and reprecipitation as zeolites in alkaline aluminate solution. Applied Clay Science, 157, 189-197. doi: 10.1016/j.clay.2018.03.002
2018
Journal Article
Electrocrystallization and solubility of mercury in alkaline solution
Staun, Chris, Bansal, Neetu and Vaughan, James (2018). Electrocrystallization and solubility of mercury in alkaline solution. Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 96 (4), 385-393. doi: 10.1139/cjc-2017-0592
2018
Journal Article
Role of the amorphous phase during sodium aluminosilicate precipitation
Peng, Hong, Seneviratne, Dilini and Vaughan, James (2018). Role of the amorphous phase during sodium aluminosilicate precipitation. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 57 (5), 1408-1416. doi: 10.1021/acs.iecr.7b04538
2018
Conference Publication
A review of the bauxite residue sinter-leach process
Qi, T., Hodge, H., Hawker, W., Hayes, P. and Vaughan, J. (2018). A review of the bauxite residue sinter-leach process. Alumina2018, Gladstone, QLD, Australia, 9-14 September 2018. Applecross, WA, Australia: AQW .
2018
Conference Publication
Separation of lead from chalcopyrite slurry using Resin-in-Pulp
Fu, Weng, Lao, Sabrina, Ding, Yepeng and Vaughan, James (2018). Separation of lead from chalcopyrite slurry using Resin-in-Pulp. First Global Conference on Extractive Metallurgy, Ottawa, Canada, 26-29 August 2018. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95022-8_174
2018
Conference Publication
Australian hydrometallurgy research and development
Vaughan, James, Fu, Weng, Peng, Hong, Hawker, Will, Hayes, Peter C. and Robinson, Dave (2018). Australian hydrometallurgy research and development. First Global Conference on Extractive Metallurgy, Ottawa, Canada, 26-29 August 2018. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95022-8_142
2018
Conference Publication
Advanced characterisation of bauxite residue
Peng, H., Vaughan, J., Staker, W., Wang, J. and Wen, W. (2018). Advanced characterisation of bauxite residue. Alumina2018, Gladstone, QLD, Australia, 9-14 September 2018. Applecross, WA, Australia: AQW.
2018
Conference Publication
Characterisation and steps toward structure solution of synthetic anion-substituted desilication products
Vogrin, J., Vaughan, J., Peng, H. and Santini, T. (2018). Characterisation and steps toward structure solution of synthetic anion-substituted desilication products. Alumina2018, Gladstone, QLD, Australia, 9-14 September 2018. Applecross, WA, Australia: AQW.
2018
Conference Publication
Kinetics of bauxite residue sintering
Hodge, Harrison, Hawker, William, Hayes, Peter and Vaughan, James (2018). Kinetics of bauxite residue sintering. First Global Conference on Extractive Metallurgy, Ottawa, Canada, 26-29 August 2018. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95022-8_67
2018
Conference Publication
An acid recovery and mineral carbonation process forthe nickel industry
Zappala, Lauren, Balucan, Reydick, Vaughan, James and Steel, Karen (2018). An acid recovery and mineral carbonation process forthe nickel industry. 6th International Conference on Accelerated Carbonation for Environmental and Material Engineering, ACEME 2018, Newcastle, NSW, Australia, 11 - 14 March, 2018. New York, NY, United States: AIChE.
2018
Conference Publication
Improved copper smelter and converter productivity through the use of a novel high-grade feed
Jak, Eugene, Shishin, Denis, Hawker, Will, Vaughan, James and Hayes, Peter C. (2018). Improved copper smelter and converter productivity through the use of a novel high-grade feed. First Global Conference on Extractive Metallurgy, Ottawa, Canada, 26-29 August 2018. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-95022-8_21
2018
Conference Publication
Filtration efficiency of tricalcium aluminate filter aid synthesized with batch and continuous stirred reactors
Salimi, Reza, Tan, Sue Ying and Vaughan, James (2018). Filtration efficiency of tricalcium aluminate filter aid synthesized with batch and continuous stirred reactors. 36th International ICSOBA Conference - Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium Industry in Brazil and New Global Developments, Belem, Brazil, 29 October-1 November 2018. Belem, Brazil: ICSOBA.
2018
Book Chapter
Processing of bio-ore to products
Simonnot, Marie-Odile, Vaughan, James and Laubie, Baptiste (2018). Processing of bio-ore to products. Agromining: farming for metals. Extracting Unconventional Resources Using Plants. (pp. 39-51) edited by Antony van der Ent, Guillaume Echevarria, Alan J. M. Baker and Jean Louis Morel. Cham, Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-61899-9_3
2018
Conference Publication
In-situ XRD investigation of bauxite dehydroxylation
Peng, Hong and Vaughan, James (2018). In-situ XRD investigation of bauxite dehydroxylation. TMS 2018 147th Annual Meeting & Exhibition, Phoenix, Arizona, 11-15 March 2018. Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-72484-3_3
2018
Conference Publication
An investigation of Bayer desilication product agglomeration mechanisms by kernel function population balance modelling
Seneviratne, D.N., Peng, H., Gillespie, A.R. and Vaughan, J. (2018). An investigation of Bayer desilication product agglomeration mechanisms by kernel function population balance modelling. Alumina2018, Gladstone, QLD, Australia, 9-14 September 2018. Applecross, WA, Australia: AQW.
2017
Journal Article
Scandium loading on chelating and solvent impregnated resin from sulfate solution
Shenxu, Bao, Hawker, William and Vaughan, James (2017). Scandium loading on chelating and solvent impregnated resin from sulfate solution. Solvent Extraction and Ion Exchange, 36 (1), 1-14. doi: 10.1080/07366299.2017.1412917
2017
Journal Article
Characterisation and hydrometallurgical processing of nickel from tropical agromined bio-ore
Vaughan, James, Riggio, Justin, Chen, Jeff, Peng, Hong, Harris, Hugh H. and van der Ent, Antony (2017). Characterisation and hydrometallurgical processing of nickel from tropical agromined bio-ore. Hydrometallurgy, 169, 346-355. doi: 10.1016/j.hydromet.2017.01.012
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
Fundamental research on zeolite nucleation and particle growth
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hong Peng
-
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
CO2 Mineralization with Metals Extraction : A Pathway to CO2 Sequestration Commercialization
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Damien Batstone, Associate Professor Karen Steel
-
Doctor Philosophy
Interactions of organic components in process water with gold
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Yongjun Peng
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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