As an ANSTO Graduate, there are occasionally opportunities that lead on to even greater experiences, with an overseas secondment being one of them.
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As part of a rotation within the ANSTO Graduate Development Program, Ryan Chia had the opportunity to work at the Rössing Uranium Mine (RUL) in Namibia as a secondee for 4 months in 2012.
Throughout the period, he was involved in the development of a new Leach Control Philosophy, and was able to take a successful trial through to its implementation on the RUL processing plant – a great experience.
During the trial, the new control philosophy set a framework to monitor, control and review the uranium leaching operations, ultimately leading to a 2% increase in uranium extraction and a 30% saving in reagent cost for RUL during this period.
During the trial, the new control philosophy set a framework to monitor, control and review the uranium leaching operations, ultimately leading to a 2% increase in uranium extraction and a 30% saving in reagent cost for RUL during this period.
The positive results prompted another 3 month secondment in late 2013. Now as a full-time ANSTO Minerals employee, Ryan was tasked with driving the implementation of an online pH/ORP control system.
Again working on the uranium leaching process, the work was designed to automate the control of key leaching parameters while managing the effects of natural process variation.
Again working on the uranium leaching process, the work was designed to automate the control of key leaching parameters while managing the effects of natural process variation.
By minimizing pH and ORP variability, the work confirmed potential improvements proposed in a business case, such as large reductions of key reagent (acid and pyrolusite) consumptions.
The project successes demonstrate the benefits of applying dedicated technical capability to metallurgical process improvements as well as highlighting some of the technical strengths that underpin the ANSTO Minerals team.
The project successes demonstrate the benefits of applying dedicated technical capability to metallurgical process improvements as well as highlighting some of the technical strengths that underpin the ANSTO Minerals team.
Apart from work, secondments such as this provide great personal and cultural experiences that are hard to come by as a mere tourist. While on secondment Ryan relished the opportunity to fulfil some personal goals as well. He went on safaris, climbed sand dunes, and challenged himself in local extreme sporting activities, such as paragliding and skydiving.
Ryan managed to balance an active social life, interacting with locals and expatriates alongside his professional life, establishing and maintaining networks across the mining industry.
“The secondments allowed me to be exposed to processing plants on a much larger scale, and provided me with insights into various metallurgical processes applied across the uranium industry,” says Ryan.
“I was also thrilled to be given the opportunity to represent ANSTO Minerals in the uranium industry abroad. Being in Africa was an unforgettable life experience, and I’ll do it again any time.”
ANSTO’s Graduate Development Program aims to nurture the next generation of Australian graduates and provides strong foundations for exciting and fulfilling. Through the program graduates are given the chance to gain hands-on experience in their field, as well as guidance and mentoring from industry experts.
Ryan said that “wherever I go in my career, these have been experiences that I will never forget! The support of ANSTO Minerals and Rössing Uranium made it a success in every way”.
Learn more about ANSTO Minerals
Learn more about ANSTO’s Graduate Development Program