The closing ceremony was attended by the Mining Seremi, Carlos Hunt, who highlighted the environmental component of this project, as well as the synergy between academia and industry.
At the closing ceremony, held at USM’s San Joaquín Campus, the project team presented to the attendees the results of this program, which aimed to develop advanced iron-based alloys, using iron slag as raw material. copper smelting, one of the main wastes of this industry.
“Chile is the leading producer of copper, and with the development of the electromobility industry there will be an increase in demand, which will not only increase the production levels of this metal, but also the levels of slag associated with the process. . This project offers an innovative alternative to solve the problem of slag storage, through the reuse of waste, and also offers a business opportunity, with a material of high commercial value”, explained Dr. Aguilar.
The activity was attended by the Carlos Hunt Mining Seremi, authorities, professors, students and representatives of the Servilinares holding, a partner company in this project.
The Mining Department pointed out: “I believe that the development of scientific advances or new treatments for mining should be strongly encouraged by the universities. In this context, a project of this magnitude will have a very good arrival, since it makes it possible to deal efficiently with the problem of copper slag. […] This initiative has two very important elements: on the one hand, the treatment of our waste, which goes hand in hand with respect for the environment, and on the other, an important association with the industry, generating a positive synergy”.
important results
In his presentation, Dr. Aguilar highlighted the results achieved, which made it possible to obtain iron alloys of high commercial value, with a high level of purity. These alloys can be used in different sectors, such as the automotive industry, medicine, energy, construction and household appliances, among others.
“We started our study with slag with a percentage of 42% iron, and now we are producing powders with a purity between 98 and 99 percent. The project had better results than we expected, and we have seen interest from companies in the mining world to be able to commercialize the products we develop, which is undoubtedly very positive”, he stated.
These results are enhanced by the two patent applications associated with the project, which are added to the industrial protection document signed with the company Servilinares. As the USM academic and project director explained, “sometimes it is difficult to reach the market because companies are not motivated or do not trust the products that universities can develop. In this case, the Servilinares company has been a great partner that allows us to be very hopeful that this will reach the market in the coming years or months ”, he assured.
For his part, Dr. Raúl Fuentes, alternate director of the project, highlighted the innovative nature of this program. “Only five percent of companies carry out innovation, and many times it is adaptation or adoption of existing technologies. This project brings a new, innovative proposal. We are developing world-class innovation, and we are strongly committed to bringing these ideas to market. As a team we want to give mining an added and sustainable value, and for this the participation of companies is important. I thank Servilinares for their support, trust, and commitment to what we are doing,” he concluded.
It should be noted that this project, led by the USM, had the participation of the University of Atacama as an associated institution, and of the also associated companies Anglo American Fundición Chagres and CAP Minería, to which the Servilinares holding was later added.
