The Department of Metallurgical Engineering has expertise in many metallurgical disciplines. These include –Mineral Processing, Extractive Metallurgy, Physical Metallurgy and Chemical Metallurgy. The Metallurgical Engineering Degree programmes promote the development of a holistic systems approach to metallurgy where technical knowledge and skills are complimented by a sound appreciation of the life cycle processes involved in metallurgy and an awareness of the ethical, safety, environmental, economic and social considerations involved in practising as a professional metallurgical engineer. Our degree provides pathways into rewarding careers and our graduates have found employment in a wide range of industries and organisations.
Laboratory Facilities
Mineral Processing Pilot Plant
The pilot plant is equipped and designed to meet the needs of mining and exploration companies that wish to examine a range of processing options to further develop their deposits.
Our mineral processing laboratory is equipped with the following:
- Size reduction (Primary and Secondary Crushing) giving minus 3mm product
- Wet grinding from 3mm 60 % minus 75µm
- Floatation test cells
- Filtration and a wifley concentration table.
- Spiral classifier, driers and other equipment
Mechanical Testing and Metallographic Services
The unit consists of metallographic specimen preparation equipment, tensile and hardness testing machines. Microstructures of various alloys in different heat treatment conditions can also be observed. Examination and analysis of failures of metallic structures and manufactured components including elements can be undertaken.
Analytical services
Metallurgy and Mineral Processing in conjunction with the department of Geology operates a full time analytical laboratory with the following capabilities:
- Wet Chemical analysis and Sample Preparations for various materials.. Key analytical equipment and instruments used include;
- Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS)
- Varian Sect AA 220 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
- Varian Sect AA 50 Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
The above instruments are mainly used for analysis and determination of the following elements;
Gold, Copper, Cobalt, Chromium, Manganeese, Zinc, Lead, Berylium, Tin, Molybdenium, Iron, Cadmium,
Silver, Potassium, Sodium, Magneseum, Calcium, Alluminium, Asernic, Vanadium, Selenium, Titanium, Niobium, Tantalum, Lithium, Mercury, Boron, Tungsten and many others.
Other analytical services provided are:
- Analysis of phosphates and nitrates in ordinary and effluent water as well as analysis of titanium in minerals using the UVS-VIS Spectrophotometer
- Water analysis for (PH, TS, TDS, TH, alkalinity and conductivity)
- Calorimetric analysis of Nitrogen as Nitrate and Phosphorus as Phosphate
- Gravimetric analysis of Sulphur as Sulphate and Silicon as Silica
- Specific gravity tests on many materials
The services above can be used by private companies, government Institutions, students from other Universities and Colleges and the general public at large.
Undergraduate Programmes in the Department
Postgraduate Programmes in the Department
- Master of Engineering in Metallurgy and Mineral Processing
- Master of Science in Mineral Economics
- Master of Science in Mineral Resources Management
- Master of Science in Mineral Production Management
- Master of Engineering in Rock Mechanics
Short Courses
A number of selected short courses are offered from time to time depending on demand from industry. Dates and fees are set at the time of offering. Below are some of the short courses offered?
- Materials performance and Corrosion
- The full hands on short course aims to look at mechanisms that give metal alloys strength and toughness, importance of the stress intensity factor and causes and types of corrosion in addition to examination of a number of case studies.
- Target group: Engineers and Technicians [especially those from industry]
- Duration: 5 day
- Metallurgy of Welding and analysis of weld failures
- This practical welding course aims to impart skills in various techniques used in metal joining. The underlying metallurgical structures important in giving strength in welds are studied.
- Target group: Engineers and Technicians
- Duration: 5 days
