Winners announced for PCMIA-Pittsburgh Section 2024 Short Presentation Contest

We are excited to share the results of the 2024 Pittsburgh Coal Mining Institute of America (PCMIA) and SME Pittsburgh Section Short Presentation Contest. A big thank you goes to the talented students from The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State) and West Virginia University (WVU), whose participation made this event truly memorable. We extend our gratitude to our judges, Chandler Absher, Joe Sbaffoni and Michael J. Brnich, for their invaluable time and expertise. Special thanks also go to Mary Delrosso for her dedication in organizing the contest. Following the first round of eliminations, six outstanding students advanced to the live session, where they presented their research and answered questions from the jury. Congratulations to the top three winners: Chandima Subasinghe of Penn State. Paubla Gallego of WVU. Syabilla Cardosh of WVU. 2025 contest PCMIA and the SME Pittsburgh Section jointly hold a student short presentation contest to recognize successful research conducted in select regional universities — Penn State, University of Kentucky (UKY), WVU and Virginia Tech (VT) — every year. The contest provides an opportunity for students to showcase their work in a visible setting and to compete for monetary prizes based on the quality of their presentations as determined by a team of judges. The 2025 contest will open for submissions in early September. Stay tuned for announcements regarding registration and contest details. Reach out to Mary Delrosso at mary412d@comcast.net or Cengiz Kaydim at ck00047@mix.wvu.edu if you have questions. We will be excited to see fresh faces and remarkable researchers in 2025. 2024 winners First place: Direct Extraction of Lithium from α-Spodumene via NaOH Roasting and Water LeachingAbstract: Lithium (Li) is a critical element in the production of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), which are essential for electric vehicles (EVs), portable electronics and renewable energy storage systems. The conventional method of lithium extraction from α-spodumene requires high-temperature roasting and extensive chemical treatments, leading to high energy consumption and significant environmental degradation. This study introduces a new method for direct Li extraction from α-spodumene, bypassing the conventional high-temperature roasting process. This approach employs two-stage sequential low-temperature NaOH roasting and water leaching, eliminating the need for acid for Li recovery. Process parameter optimization and kinetics studies of roasting and leaching parameters provided insights into the reaction mechanisms and thermodynamics of the process. The optimum NaOH-to-α-spodumene ratio was determined to be equivalent to the stoichiometric amount by weight, which is 1.5:1. The optimum roasting temperature and duration were determined to be 325 °C, which is slightly above the melting temperature of NaOH, and two hours, respectively. The rate of roasting reaction was determined to be 0.065 mg/min at the optimum condition with an apparent activation energy, Ea, of 212 kJ/mol. The optimum water leaching parameters were found to be 100 rpm stirring rate, 10 percent feed spodumene-to-water ratio, and room temperature. This dissolution reaction was characterized by rapid kinetics, where maximum Li recovery was reached withing 15 seconds of reaction. Roasting followed the shrinking-core model, and the formation of sodium aluminum silicate product layer hindered lithium recovery in stage one. Finally, after the two-stage roasting and water leaching, more than 99 percent of lithium was extracted. Biography: Chandima Subasinghe is a graduate research assistant pursuing a Ph.D. in energy and mineral engineering at Penn State. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mineral resources and technology (honors), specializing in mineral processing technology, from Uva Wellassa University of Sri Lanka, and a master’s degree in energy and mineral engineering from Penn State. He has received several awards for his academic excellence, teaching excellence, and contributions to the field of mineral processing and extractive metallurgy. Subasinghe served the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau of Sri Lanka in the capacity of geoscientist and Uva Wellassa University as research assistant before joining Penn State. He is passionate about innovative methods for hydrometallurgy, mineral processing, critical element extraction and R&D and has several publications and conference presentations. He is the 2021 recipient of the prestigious P.G. Cooray Memorial Medal for the most outstanding young geoscientist of Sri Lanka. Second place: Development of An Ion-Exchange Technique for Rare Earth Elements Recovery from Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) Abstract: Treating acid mine drainage (AMD) in accordance with federal regulations has long posed significant environmental and economic challenges for the coal mining industry. However, this issue presents a promising opportunity to recover critical minerals, especially rare earth elements (REEs), from AMD as part of the treatment process. This research aims to develop a cost-effective sorption technique for extracting REEs from AMD. The project begins with analyzing AMD samples collected from various mining sites, focusing on their surface chemistry, critical mineral concentrations and presence of contaminants. Laboratory-scale experiments are then conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an ion exchange resin and to identify the impact of key operating parameters, such as pH levels, adsorbent types and reaction times, on the sorption process. Due to the high concentrations of heavy metals in AMD, the research emphasizes the need for integrated process flowsheets that incorporate the removal of these metals either before or after the adsorption step. This approach aims to improve the purity of the recovered critical minerals stream, offering a sustainable and economically viable solution for the coal mining industry. Biography: Paubla Gallego is a WVU graduate research assistant, pursuing her master’s degree in mining engineering. She holds a degree in mining and metallurgical engineering from the National University of Colombia, graduating in 2022. Gallego has experience conducting laboratory tests to develop extractive metallurgy processes for recovering metals. She has actively collaborated with various research groups at the National University of Colombia, Purdue University and WVU. She also has hands-on experience in gold gravimetric recovery systems, copper refinery processes, and solvent extraction for gold concentration. Third place: Critical Minerals Recovery and CO2 Sequestration from Coal Fly AshAbstract: The transition from fossil fuels and coal-fired energy to clean, renewable alternatives has increased demand for critical minerals traditionally obtained through hard-rock mining. However, traditional mining practices contribute significantly to global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, creating a dual environmental challenge. This study explores coal fly ash (CFA), a byproduct of coal combustion, as an alternative resource for addressing the growing demand for critical minerals and the need to reduce CO2 emissions. By presenting an innovative, integrated approach, this research demonstrates how critical minerals can be efficiently recovered from CFA while simultaneously sequestering CO2 through mineralization processes. This dual-purpose method broadens the sources of critical minerals and offers a sustainable solution for long-term CO2 storage. The study introduces a comprehensive operational framework that optimizes process efficiencies, enhances mineral recovery and quantifies CO2 capture. By leveraging CFA, the research promotes sustainable resource management aligned with global efforts to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The findings suggest that this approach has significant potential for industrial adoption, offering a viable pathway to improve resource efficiency, reduce industrial CO2 emissions and support environmental sustainability. This research contributes to advancing critical mineral recovery and climate mitigation, positioning CFA as an essential resource in the shift toward a greener economy. Biography: Syabilla Cardosh is a graduate student at WVU, focusing on mining engineering with a specialization in mineral processing. Cardosh has actively participated in various research initiatives, collaborating with industry experts and academic mentors to address real-world challenges in the mining sector. Although she completed her undergraduate studies in chemical engineering, her commitment to excellence and her natural curiosity led her to explore the dynamic world of mining engineering and mineral processing, where she laid the foundation for her career in the field. With her strong academic background and practical experience, Cardosh aims to bridge the gap between chemical engineering principles and mining engineering applications, contributing to developing efficient, safe and environmentally conscious mineral processing techniques. She aspires to be pivotal in advancing the mining industry’s technological landscape and positively impacting global mineral resource management.

Winners announced for PCMIA-Pittsburgh Section 2024 Short Presentation Contest

Authored by: Hatice Esin Kaydim and Cengiz Kaydim

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