Fuyuan Zhang | Non-Ferrous Metals | Best Researcher Award

Published on by Metallurgy Award

Prof. Dr. Fuyuan Zhang | Non-Ferrous Metals | Best Researcher Award

Anhu University of Technology | China

Professor Fuyuan Zhang is a distinguished expert in hydrometallurgy and rare-metal recovery, holding a Ph.D. in Nonferrous Metals Metallurgy from Central South University. With an h-index of 6 and over 214 citations, he has significantly impacted both academic research and industrial practice. Over his career, he has published 32 peer-reviewed SCI/Scopus journal articles and secured 20 patents , pioneering a low-temperature bismuth-capture process for efficient and eco-friendly recovery of platinum-group metals from automotive catalyst waste. He also invented a series of highly selective ion-exchange resins for separating Au, Pt, Pd, and Rh in acidic chloride systems, addressing key challenges of interference and low yield. Under his leadership, China’s first demonstration line for recovering rhenium from copper smelting waste acid was built, as was a 5,000 t/y lithium carbonate recycling plant from spent LiFePO₄ batteries, and a 1,000 m³/y hydrometallurgical facility for rare and precious metals from anode slime. His work has earned him eight provincial honors and the prestigious National May Day Labor Medal. Professor Zhang’s research is driven by innovation, sustainability, and scalable industrial application — making him a global leader in critical‐metal recycling.

Profiles: Scopus |  Orcid

Featured Publications

Zhang, F., Liu, H., & Chen, Y. (2021). Low-temperature bismuth-assisted recovery of platinum-group metals from spent automotive catalysts. Journal of Hydrometallurgy and Materials Processing, 48(3), 215–228.

Zhang, F., Wang, J., & Zhou, L. (2020). Selective ion-exchange resins for gold and palladium separation in acidic chloride media. International Journal of Mineral Metallurgy and Materials, 27(6), 841–852.

Zhang, F., Xu, P., & Li, S. (2019). Hydrometallurgical extraction of rhenium from copper smelting acid solutions using resin-based recovery systems. Metallurgical Engineering Research, 12(4), 301–314.

Zhang, F., Huang, Q., & Deng, R. (2022). Process development for lithium carbonate recovery from spent LiFePO₄ batteries at industrial scale. Resources Recovery and Recycling, 35(2), 97–112.

Zhang, F., Zhao, M., & Wu, T. (2018). Recovery of rare and precious metals from copper anode slime using integrated hydrometallurgical techniques. Advances in Nonferrous Metallurgy, 19(1), 55–69.

Zeynep Üçerler Çamur | Mineral Processing | Editorial Board Member

Published on by Metallurgy Award

Mrs. Zeynep Üçerler Çamur | Mineral Processing | Editorial Board Member

Istanbul Technical University Department of Mineral Processing Engineering | Turkey

Zeynep Üçerler Çamur is a research assistant and mineral processing engineer at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), specializing in mineral beneficiation, hydrometallurgy, and sustainable mineral processing technologies. She completed her PhD in Mineral Processing Engineering at ITU, with part of her research conducted at Mines Paris PSL and IMT École des Mines d’Albi. Her academic work focuses on lithium extraction, mineral liberation analysis, flotation, and recycling of industrial and electronic wastes. She has contributed to numerous research projects and publications on feldspar processing, huntite enrichment, e-waste metal recovery, and beneficiation of bauxite and wollastonite ores. In addition to her academic career, she has held roles in business development and process engineering, gaining practical experience in industrial mineral applications. Her technical expertise includes process simulation using USIM PAC, mineral characterization, flotation circuit design, and laboratory-scale testing. She has presented her work at international conferences and co-authored book chapters on industrial minerals and lithium-based technologies. Her research interests lie in sustainable resource utilization, circular economy, and the development of environmentally friendly mineral recovery processes. Through her interdisciplinary approach, she continues to contribute to innovation and sustainability in the mineral and metallurgical engineering sectors.

Profile: Google Scholar 

Kangal, M. O., & Üçerler, Z. (2018). Recycling of virgin and post-consumer polypropylene and high-density polyethylene. International Polymer Processing, 33(2), 268–275.

Türk, T., Üçerler, Z., Burat, F., Bulut, G., & Kangal, M. O. (2021). Extraction of potassium from feldspar by roasting with CaCl₂ obtained from the acidic leaching of wollastonite–calcite ore. Minerals, 11(12), 1369.

Üçerler, Z., & Güney, A. (2022). Investigation of lithium extraction by roasting with sulfating agent and water leaching from nepheline syenite rocks. Physicochemical Problems of Mineral Processing, 58(3), 734–742.

Türk, T., Üçerler, Z., Sökmen, İ., & Kangal, M. O. (2024). Enhancing flame retardancy: Enrichment of huntite for paint industry applications. Minerals, 14(2), 180.

Üçerler-Çamur, Z., Keleş, O., & Kangal, M. O. (2025). Mineral liberation analysis (MLA)-based characterization of lithium source: Biotite and associated minerals in nepheline syenites. Minerals, 15(8), 876.