Prof. Qian Li | Minerals Engineering | Pioneer Researcher Award

Professor at University of South China | China

Prof. Qian Li, a distinguished scholar in biohydrometallurgy at the University of South China, has made exceptional contributions to understanding microbial processes in mineral engineering, particularly uranium bioleaching and residue stabilization. His research integrates microbiological mechanisms with mineral system engineering to address challenges in uranium extraction and environmental remediation. He has directed numerous national and provincial research projects focused on the behavior of iron/sulfur-oxidizing bacterial consortia, in-situ passivation of uranium residues, and eco-friendly leaching technologies. Prof. Li’s innovative studies on biogenic coatings, microbial oxidation, and nanobubble-assisted leaching have introduced new approaches to sustainable metal recovery and waste control. His extensive publication record exceeds 80 research articles in reputed journals including Journal of Hazardous Materials, Frontiers in Microbiology, and Journal of Cleaner Production, showcasing his interdisciplinary expertise and technical leadership. As documented in his Scopus profile, he has accumulated over 4,651 citations, 289 indexed documents, and an h-index of 39, underscoring his scientific impact and recognition within the international minerals engineering community. Through his pioneering work on microbial-mineral interactions, Prof. Li continues to advance the field toward cleaner and more efficient resource utilization, establishing himself as a leading figure in metallurgical and environmental biotechnology.

Profile : Scopus | ORCID | Google Scholar

Featured Publications

Li, S., Xiao, L., Sun, J., Li, Q., Li, G., Cui, Z., Li, T., & Zhou, X. (2025). Biogenic jarosite coating as an innovative passivator for acidic uranium residue stabilization using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 471, 140229. DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.140229

Xiao, L., Li, S., Liu, X., Sun, J., Li, G., Cui, Z., Li, T., & Li, Q. (2024). Linked variations of bioleaching performance, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and passivation layer in the uranium bacterial-leaching system. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 334, 637–651. DOI: 10.1007/s10967-024-09851-6

Li, Q., Liu, X., Ma, J., Sun, J., Li, G., Cui, Z., & Li, T. (2023). Bidirectional effects of sulfur-oxidizer Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans in uranium bioleaching systems with or without sulfur by mixed acidophilic bacteria. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 332, 1787–1794. DOI: 10.1007/s10967-023-08841-4

Sun, J., Ma, J., Li, Q., Li, G., Shi, W., Yang, Y., Hu, P., & Guo, Z. (2022). Role of Fe/S ratios in the enhancement of uranium bioleaching from a complex uranium ore by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans and Acidithiobacillus thiooxidans consortium. Journal of Central South University, 29(12), 3858–3869. DOI: 10.1007/s11771-022-5216-1

Yang, Y., Li, Q., Li, G., Ma, J., Sun, J., Liu, X., Cui, Z., & Li, T. (2022). Depth-induced deviation of column bioleaching for uranium embedded in granite porphyry by defined mixed acidophilic bacteria. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 331, 3681–3692. DOI: 10.1007/s10967-022-08418-7

Chen, Z., Li, Q., Yang, Y., Sun, J., Li, G., Liu, X., Shu, S., Li, X., & Liao, H. (2022). Uranium removal from a radioactive contaminated soil by defined bioleaching bacteria. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 331, 439–449. DOI: 10.1007/s10967-021-08077-0

Dr. Vladimir Kuzmin | Mineral processing | Best Researcher Award

Chief Researcher at Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the Siberian Branch of the RAS | Russia

Dr. Vladimir Kuzmin is Chief Researcher and Head of the Institute of Chemistry and Chemical Technology of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (ICCT SB RAS), recognized for his pioneering contributions to hydrometallurgical processing of rare and non-ferrous metal minerals. A graduate of the Mendeleev Moscow Institute of Chemical Technology, he earned his Doctor of Sciences degree in chemistry and has since led laboratories specializing in rare metals and hydrometallurgical processes. His research focuses on leaching, extraction, sorption methods, and the mechanisms of salt and acid extraction using binary extractants, with significant breakthroughs in solvation phenomena and selective metal separation. Under his leadership, integrated technologies for processing refractory raw materials such as the Tomtor and Chuktukon deposits have been developed, including hydrothermal decomposition of monazite and innovative bromine and lithium recovery processes from industrial brines. Dr. Kuzmin has authored more than 200 scientific publications, including over 90 journal articles indexed in Scopus, two monographs, and 12 patents, while supervising dissertations and mentoring young scientists. Recent works include studies on hydrogen gas formation during leaching of weakly radioactive ores of the Tomtor deposit (Hydrometallurgy) and advances in rare-earth mineral processing. His Scopus profile reports 46 indexed documents, 247 citations, and an h-index of 8, reflecting the influence and continuity of his research. A recipient of the Russian Federation Government Prize in Science and Technology and the Lavrentiev Commemorative Medal, Dr. Kuzmin remains a leading authority in chemical technology and strategic metals research.

Profile: Scopus | ORCID

Feautured Publications

Kuzmin, V. I., Leskiv, M. N., Gudkova, N. V., & Kuzmin, D. V. (2021). Extraction and separation of Cd(II) and Ni(II) with salts of Cyanex 301 and amines. Chemical Papers. DOI: 10.1007/s11696-020-01373-1. Cited by: 12

Kuzmin, V. I., Leskiv, M. N., Peterson, I. V., Kuzmin, D. V., Gudkova, N. V., & Bulavchenko, A. I. (2021). Interfacial separation of organic phase components in systems containing aqueous colloidal solutions of sodium di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphate. Colloid Journal. DOI: 10.1134/S1061933X21010075. Cited by: 5

Kuzmin, V. I., & Kuzmina, A. A. (2021). Obtaining solid extractants based on mixtures of tributylphosphate and molecular iodine and researching the extraction of scandium from chloride solutions. Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering. Cited by: 4

Kuzmin, V. I., & Logutenko, O. A. (2020). Effect of unlimited self-association of a component of a chemical reaction on the equilibrium states of the copper dialkyldithiophosphate systems. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 301, 112128. DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2019.112128. Cited by: 22

Kuzmin, V. I., Kuzmina, A. A., & Gudkova, N. V. (2020). Evaluation of the possibility of obtaining potassium bromide via extraction from naturally occurring calcium chloride brines by a mixture of tributyl phosphate and molecular iodine. Theoretical Foundations of Chemical Engineering. DOI: 10.1134/S0040579519050130. Cited by: 9

Kuz’min, D. V., Kuz’min, V. I., Gudkova, N. V., & Leskiv, M. N. (2020). Extraction of iron(III) with tributyl phosphate from bromide solutions. Russian Journal of Applied Chemistry. DOI: 10.1134/S1070427220020123. Cited by: 7