Representatives of the Integrated Center for Piloting of Mining Technologies (Ciptemin) visited the laboratories of the study house that incorporated new cutting-edge equipment, in addition to other units that currently provide services required by the industry.
Strengthening the capabilities to pilot processes and technologies with an impact on the mining sector is the objective of the acquisition of a series of equipment that will enhance spaces belonging to two departments of the Universidad Católica del Norte (UCN).
This milestone is possible thanks to the agreement signed between the Integrated Center for Piloting of Mining Technologies (Ciptemin) with the UCN which, among other things, has made it possible to strengthen the Institution’s equipment to continue providing services, which makes it possible to comply with the new industry requirements.
The fruit of this collaboration was reviewed through a technical visit that the pilot center team carried out to the two beneficiary laboratories, belonging to the Department of Metallurgical and Mining Engineering and Chemical Engineering and Environment, both part of the Faculty of Engineering and Geological Sciences. Likewise, they met other laboratories belonging to the Lithium I+D+i Center for Research, Development and Innovation in Lithium Batteries of the UCN.
NEW CAPABILITIES
The director of Innovation and Technology Transfer of the UCN, Bárbara Torres, explains that “Today we are going to launch a new laboratory in the Chemical and Environmental Engineering Laboratory, which will allow us to generate a pilot space for the lithium extraction process and, on the other hand, in the Engineering Department Metallurgical and Mines to expand rheological analyzes for different mining extracts, of minerals such as copper and lithium. All this within the framework of our participation in the Ciptemin corporation, which is the mining piloting center, and with this we can complement the capabilities that we have at the University regarding research and development, and from this contribute to the local industry, and to the development of new technologies, processes and services”.
The Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering enables the “Lithium Process Technologies Validation Laboratory”, led by Dr. Claudio Leiva, which arises after the reconditioning of the infrastructure related to scientific and technological research of the U3 Laboratory of the UCN, with the in order to strengthen R&D capabilities to promote lines of research related to lithium extraction processes in terms of increasing extraction and process efficiency; as well as the infrastructure for piloting mining technologies.
The executive director of Ciptemin, Dr. Cynthia Torres, highlighted that “For us it is quite positive, we talked about it a few years ago preparing ourselves as a region for everything that was projected in terms of lithium production and I believe that enabling this technology process laboratory is key for Antofagasta, for the University, and is an enabler for the formation of human capital, which is one of the missions of the UCN. We highlight that these types of laboratories are being promoted, which will play a fundamental role in studying the different processes of lithium extraction in the salt flats, especially in those where Enami is operating, which is why we value this collaboration and the approach that the University gives it. is giving to this theme”.
Likewise, the Department of Metallurgical and Mining Engineering strengthens its Surface Physical Chemistry Laboratory, directed by Dr. Julio Valenzuela, which will integrate new services for the rheological characterization (way in which materials deform or flow) of fluids, with which will be able to address new challenges that previously could not be solved, which are linked to the study of the behavior of different types of pulps and fluids at different temperatures.
In addition, the Ciptemin team, accompanied by professionals from the Directorate of Innovation and Technology Transfer and the Faculty of Engineering and Geological Sciences, toured and learned about the services of the CPY Research and High Pressure Leaching laboratories and the Solid Liquid Laboratory.
