Researcher biography

Xumeng Chen is a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland. He obtained his PhD in JKMRC in 2015. His PhD studies focused on investigating effects of different regrinding conditions on cleaner flotation, including grinding media, particle breakage mechanism, ore mineralogy and content of sulphide gangues. Strategies were developed to optimise regrinding conditions, which have been successfully applied in the participating plant and improved Cu/Au flotation after regrinding pyrite concentrates. This project provided important guidance for the industry when commissioning and operating a regrind-cleaner flotation circuit. Since 2015, he has been working as a Research Fellow and has developed several technologies for the mineral and coal industry, including the management of clay minerals in flotation by applying novel reagents, the tuning of flotation reagents for oxidized coal flotation through online monitoring of surface oxidation, and improving flotation product dewatering through deaeration of tenacious forth. In 2017, he was awarded Advance Queensland Research Fellow by Queensland State Government to develop and implement new chemistries in flotation. He has also lead plant surveys and optimisations in more than 20 plants in base metal, precious metal and coal mines across Australia and South America. His current research focuses on ultrafine grinding and flotation, optimisation of plant pulp chemistry, flotation of low grade and oxidized ores, novel flotation reagents, online chemistry monitoring systems, and froth management.