About CAMM

Board

Chairman Deputy Vice Chancellor : Erik Höglund (LTU)

Members

Bo Björkman (LTU);  Uday ­Kumar (LTU);  Björn Öhlander (LTU);  Seija ­Forsmo (LKAB);

Ulf Marklund (Boliden);  Jan-Olof Wikström (MEFOS)

Excecutive management

Director Prof. Pär Weihed

Work packages

• 1. Geometallurgy and 4D geological modelling

WP leader Prof. Jan Rosenkranz

Geometallurgy brings together geological sciences, mineral processing and metallurgy in order to characterize physical and chemical properties of rocks and ore from the in situ ore stage through the extraction and beneficiation stages to the final product. The aim is to optimize processes, minimize waste and reduce costs in the mine to mill operation.

4D geological modelling is a new method to characterize the subsurface bedrock with remote methods and further integrate different geological, geophysical and geochemical methods in order to derive robust 3D models of the subsurface geology. To be successful, these 3D models have to be described over time (4D).

• 2. Deep mining

WP leader Prof. Erling Nordlund

Deep mining is related to two different geomechanical conditions: Hard rock and rock burst-prone ground and altered weak rock in a hard host rock mass. As mining gets deeper an increasing volume of the rock mass will be involved. In the work package Deep mining the objective of the research is therefore to improve: 

  • The understanding of the rock mass response and the rock support system performance.

  • The interaction between the rock mass and the rock support system.

  • The large-scale response of the rock mass on mining activity.

  • The function of production blasts (detonation, breakage geometry and fragmentation) under high rock stresses.

• 3. Lean mining

WP leader  Prof. Uday Kumar

LTU has collectively formulated a research agenda under the umbrella Lean Mining – development of production systems.

Mining industry should adopt the lean production concept for achieving high level of production efficiency and reducing waste in mine operations due to presence of uncertainties in the mine operating environment. 

All the actors and stakeholders in the value chain need to share information in real time so as to eliminate uncertainty, enhance production system reliability and achieve high level of efficiency and effectiveness in mining operations. 

• 4. Particle technology

WP leader  Prof. Jonas Hedlund

Three general projects of fundamental and multidisciplinary character will combine the skills in Mineral Processing, Chemistry of Interfaces and Chemical Technology to reach highest possible scientific level. The projects are at the same time of high industrial relevance. The projects are: 

  • Mechanisms of flotation

  • Mechanisms of agglomeration

  • Mechanisms comminution

In all projects, a combination of carefully designed experiments, advanced instrumental techniques, and modelling, to reach a high level of understanding will be used. Carefully designed model systems to suit the instrumental method will be used and conclusions drawn from model systems will be verified or rejected using industrial multi-component mineral systems.

• 5. Green mining

WP leader  Prof. Björn Öhlander

For Green mining – reducing the environmental footprint, energy efficiency, reducing the amount of mine waste and methods for remediation are essential. It involves studies of the use of incineration ashes and waste from wood and paper industries.

Another key issue is the understanding of metal transport from active mining in relation to transport from natural metal occurrences, addressing the potential conflict between metal mining and environmental protection. This conflict, to a large extent, concerns the impact of mining on the quality of natural waters.

• 6. Raw materials for future iron- and steelmaking

WP leader  Prof. Bo Björkman

Research on Raw materials for future iron- and steelmaking is a cooperation between LTU and Swerea MEFOS. 

Based on increasing environmental and product demand, the future iron and steel making technology will be characterised by lowest possible CO₂-emission, lowest possible energy consumption, zero waste production and high quality steel production. The LTU – Swerea MEFOS joint research will focus on the following areas:

  • Iron carrying raw materials for future blast furnace iron-making routes.

  • Iron carrying raw materials as scrap substitutes.

  • Zero waste steel production.