Midlands State University’s Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering has been awarded a substantial research grant to advance work on beneficiating nickel-cobalt ores for battery applications.
Funded by the Research Council of Zimbabwe in collaboration with foreign partners, the grant supports the theme, “Value Addition and Beneficiation of Resource Extraction and Transformation.”
The project will see collaboration with the Department of Chemical, Materials and Metallurgical Engineering at Botswana International University of Science and Technology.
Researchers will focus on developing innovative processes for more efficiently extracting nickel and cobalt ores, key minerals for battery technologies that enable sustainable energy solutions.
Project Principal Investigator, Mr. S. Gumbochuma, a lecturer in the department, called it “a significant milestone” in their efforts.
“By working together with our counterparts in Botswana, we are pooling our expertise to address challenges in mineral beneficiation and optimization,” he said.
Other Zimbabwean investigators include Mr. T. C. Madzokere, department chair, Professor M. M. Manyuchi of the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development, and Engineer T. Masiya of the Institute of Mining and Research.
Mr. Madzokere said the grant “not only underscores the significance of our research but also aligns with our commitment to fostering innovation and excellence.”
As one of the youngest university departments, “we are proud to be at the forefront of impactful research.”
The grant affirms the University’s dedication to advancing mineral technology development, particularly regarding sustainable, innovative solutions for the future.