The Hindu Business Line : IICT, BHP Billiton sign MoU for joint research

Hyderabad, June 5 The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) here has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Australian mining giant BHP Billiton. The understanding with BHP Billiton Innovation, Melbourne, would entail joint research in mining and mineral processing areas, according to Dr J.S. Yadav, Director of the Hyderabad-based IICT.

BHP Billiton Innovation manages the technology and intellectual property portfolio of the BHP Billiton group of companies, whose operations include mining and minerals processing at sites around the world.

IICT and BHP Billiton envisage that they will collaborate in relation to: R&D projects in the areas of mutual interest, facilitating the visit/exchange of scientists and students between the parties’ research facilities, and scholarship by BHP Billiton for PhD and post doctoral students of IICT, he told Business Line.

The IICT has expertise and capabilities in the area of hydrometallurgical treatment of minerals and wastes for the separation and recovery of valuable metals (with special reference to copper, cobalt and nickel), design and synthesis of new materials for separation of hafnium from zirconium tailings etc.

Training programmes

In another development, the IICT, Indian Institute of Technology (Roorkee) and the RMIT University, Melbourne have joined hands to undertake collaborative research training programmes. Research inputs from social science, business researchers, scientists and engineers would also be incorporated.

Dr Yadav said the focus of the collaboration would on environmental science and technology. About five projects — one to each area to be identified by RMIT, IICT and IITR — would be undertaken with external funding.

The collaboration would also involve exchange and sponsorship of students. RMIT tuition scholarship may be provided if there is no other funding source for selected Indian students at RMIT Australia. For 2008 it is proposed to take up to 10 students from India and up to five from Australia.

More Stories on : Mining & Quarrying | Research & Development

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page