Levie Mweene

Metallurgist with a PhD in Mineral Processing and over 13 years of industrial and academic experience. Expertise spans surface chemistry of minerals, physical separation, and computational modelling, with a focus on flotation of sulfide, oxide, and silicate minerals and critical raw materials (CRMs).

Experience working as a Plant Metallurgist, Senior Plant Metallurgist and Superintendent-Technical.

Postdoctoral Fellow at Queen's University (2025-11 – Present)

Supervising pulp chemistry projects on pyrrhotite quantification and lithium mineral flotation studies.

• Supervising a pulp chemistry project (2 PhD, 1 MSc) on pyrrhotite quantification in concentrate using machine learning, grinding media corrosion, and pyrrhotite behaviour in flotation.
• Co-supervising flotation studies of lithium minerals from Lakefield, Canada (1 PhD student).
• Applied Design of Experiments (DOE) and Python coding to process optimization.

Postdoctoral Researcher at University of Lorraine (2024-01 – 2025-10)

Led REE recovery research and supervised student projects on beneficiation of iron slimes and rare earth minerals.

• Led the St. Austell Project on REE recovery from monazite in micaceous waste.
• Conducted process mineralogy characterisation using SEM, EPMA, MLA, and XRD.
• Supervised 1 PhD and 2 MSc students on beneficiation of iron slimes and rare earth minerals.
• Supervised Erasmus Mundus students in laboratory work and mineral processing coursework.

Postdoctoral Researcher at Hanyang University (2022-08 – 2023-08)

Led laterite beneficiation research focused on upgrading nickel from Philippine and New Caledonian ores.

• Led laterite beneficiation research focused on upgrading Ni from Philippine and New Caledonian ores.
• Secured competitive research funding and contributed to grant applications.
• Supervised 1 PhD and 1 MSc student on laterite beneficiation via roasting-magnetic separation, flotation, and heap leaching.
• Served as internal examiner for a PhD thesis on Ni Laterite Beneficiation.
• Delivered mineral processing lectures to MSc and PhD students.

Superintendent-Technical at Sable Zinc Mine (2020-04 – 2022-07)

Supervised optimization of key processing parameters and led the Research and Development division at a major zinc mining operation.

• Supervised optimization of key processing parameters across comminution, flotation, and leaching, significantly improving plant efficiency.
• Led the Research and Development division, driving innovation and enhancing operational performance.
• Managed a multicultural team of 300+ personnel.
• Managed full-plant metallurgical accounting, ensuring data accuracy and accountability.
• Produced weekly and monthly performance reports to guide stakeholder decision-making.
• Mentored a team of metallurgists, fostering technical excellence and professional development.
• Instrumental in the installation and commissioning of the counter-current decantation plant.
• Managed plant projects, OPEX, and CAPEX.

Senior Plant Metallurgist at Mpanda Mineral Field Mine (2015-06 – 2019-12)

Led Research and Development division and conducted research on concentrator optimization during PhD studies.

• Led the Research and Development division (during my PhD studies), advancing innovation in metallurgical processes.
• Mentored and supervised a team of process metallurgists in a collaborative environment.
• Established metallurgical accounting initiatives, ensuring accuracy and reporting efficiency.
• Conducted research on concentrator optimization to reduce Cu losses through selective flocculation and flotation.
• Developed cost-effective methodologies for beneficiating siliceous, low-grade copper ores.
• Led gold enrichment from lean-grade siliceous copper ore using gravity separation (shaking tables, Falcon concentrators, spirals).
• Designed process flowsheets to maximize Cu and Au recovery, improving concentrator yield.

Plant Metallurgist at Luanshya Copper Mine (2010-01 – 2015-05)

Managed process control from comminution to electrowinning and maintained metallurgical accounting systems.

• Managed process control from comminution to electrowinning, ensuring seamless operations and optimal metal recovery.
• Responsible for metallurgical accounting and the integrity of production data.

PhD in Minerals Engineering – Indian Institute of Science (2020-01 – 2020-01)

Diploma in Entrepreneurship & Business Management – Entrepreneurship Institute of India (2013-01 – 2013-01)

Bachelor of Engineering in Metallurgical Engineering – Copperbelt University (2009-01 – 2009-01)