Meet our PhD students

Meet our PhD students in the project Aghata Viana and Ashkan Moaddel Haghighi

Aghata Viana

Tell us briefly about yourself!
I am from São Paulo, Brazil, and have a background in geology. I got my bachelor's degree at the University of São Paulo and worked for a few years as an exploration geologist in a small mining company, focusing on early-stage phosphate projects. Later, I decided to pursue a Master's degree in Geometallurgy and Mineral Engineering through the EMerald Master's program, which allowed me to study in Belgium, France and Sweden. My last year was spent here in Luleå, where I wrote my thesis on the application of machine learning to classify ore textures. Now I am back in Luleå to do my PhD under the supervision of Mehdi Parian in the Mineral Engineering research group.

What is your research in CRM Västerbotten about?
My research focuses on geometallurgical characterization and process design of small-scale nickel, copper and PGE deposits in the nickel belt near Skellefteå. The aim is to better understand the mineralogical and metallurgical variability of these deposits and, based on that, propose a flexible and efficient process flow scheme suitable for small and variable ore bodies. This approach can help make smaller deposits economically viable and promote sustainable resource use in the region.

Why is your research important for the green transition?
The green transition relies heavily on a reliable supply of critical metals such as nickel, copper and platinum group elements (PGE), which are essential for batteries, electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies. By developing more efficient processing strategies for small and complex deposits, my research is helping to strengthen Europe's domestic metal supply and reduce dependence on imports. This is an important step towards a more resilient and sustainable raw materials value chain to support the green transition.

What are you most looking forward to during your PhD?
I am passionate about geology, and the opportunity to integrate geology, mineralogy and mineral engineering to build a comprehensive geometallurgical understanding of these deposits really inspires me. During my time as an exploration geologist, my interest in geometallurgy grew. I wanted to use geological and mineralogical knowledge to improve process performance and efficiency. This PhD position gives me the chance to immerse myself in that field and contribute directly to both the mining industry and society through a more sustainable use of natural resources. I also appreciate that our research group is large, multidisciplinary and multicultural, which creates a stimulating learning environment. I see it as a valuable opportunity to broaden my perspective, collaborate with other researchers and industrial partners, and develop new analytical and data-driven methods for mineral characterization.

What do you like to do when you are not researching?
Outside of research, I enjoy hiking, photography and exploring the beautiful nature around Luleå. I have also joined Luleå Volleyball Club, which is one of my passions and a fun way to stay active and meet new people. Besides that, I like to socialize with friends, especially during the long Swedish winters.

Ashkan Moaddel Haghighi

Tell us briefly about yourself!
My name is Ashkan, and I'm from Iran. I just joined LTU as a PhD student recently. I've got a bachelor's in mining engineering, coupled with a master's in applied geophysics, so in a way, I've been dealing with earth science challenges for quite a while now. My master's thesis was on 3D modeling of the magnetic basement based on spectral analysis of aeromagnetic datasets. Being on the computational side of earth science is something I really enjoy dealing with.

What is your research within CRM Västerbotten about?
For geological surveys, it’s always ideal to have solid ground exposures, since they offer direct insight into the underlying structures and mineralization. In Västerbotten, however, surface exposures are limited, so in this project we rely on geophysical methods. These techniques allow us to build a much clearer picture of the subsurface, helping us interpret mineralization processes and reconstruct past tectonic activity. The processes that led to mineralization here are not yet fully understood, and part of our goal is to broaden that understanding.

We also aim to strengthen our exploration workflow by improving how we extract useful information from our datasets through geostatistics, data integration, and inversion methods. These steps help us turn raw geophysical data into clearer geological insights that support more effective exploration.

Why is your research important for the green transition?:
First off, one of the main aims of the CRM-Västerbotten project is to develop new exploration methods that can be applied in the search for critical raw materials such as nickel and platinum group elements (PGEs). Minerals like nickel play an essential role in electrical batteries, and I think it’s fair to say that electric energy and consequently batteries, are inseparable from the green transition, so I’m genuinely glad to contribute to that process.

That being said, the environmental impact of the project isn’t limited to securing critical minerals. As you know, the drilling phase of many mining operations is not particularly environmentally friendly. Our goal is to reduce uncertainties through the use of geophysical methods so we can cut down on the number of wells required. Even a small reduction of around 5% would be extremely valuable when it comes to minimizing our footprint and protecting the environment.


What are you most looking forward to during your PhD work?
What I’m most looking forward to in my PhD is the opportunity to grow continuously, both intellectually and professionally. I value that research never truly “ends”; there is always another layer to explore, which I find incredibly motivating. I’m also excited to develop a balanced skill set, strengthening technical expertise while improving collaboration and communication. Finally, I look forward to producing work that has real impact. Publications that contribute to the field and results that can be transferred into industry practice.