Sepideh Javanshir

Although Iran is more famous for oil and gas resources, and most economic revenue comes from the petroleum industry, in 2019, the country was the second-largest world producer of gypsum, as well as a major producer ofmolybdenum (the 8^th-largest world producer), antimony (8^th-largest producer), and iron ore (11^th-largest producer). In addition, Sarcheshmeh, the world’s second-largest copper mine, located in Kerman province, contains 5% of the world’s total copper ore.

I was born in Khorasan province, which has the most operating mines in the country. Looking back over years, geological phenomena, mountains, and rock types were always fascinating for me. Besides that, my uncle was working as a mining engineer and managing director of a local mine, so I was familiar with the mining sector since my childhood. After high school, I passed the university entrance exam and chose to continue my studies in mining engineering. As time went on, I became more interested in mineral processing and metallurgy. In addition to my immense interest in the extraction of valuable metals, what doubled my motivation was that raw materials were mostly exported without processing and mineral processing was the missing link in the mining industry in Iran. Therefore, the production of value-added products and increasing GDP [gross domestic product] in the future seemed necessary. All these factors encouraged me to study in this field and finally became the first female Ph.D. graduate in mineral processing in Iran.

All in all, I am satisfied with my choice. Facing new challenges has brought me professional fulfillment.

I received my master’s degree in mineral processing at Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. My research aimedat developing a sustainable hydrometallurgical approach for extraction of valuable metals from copper anode slime, which was untreated, sold at a low price, or even dumped at the mine site. The project was funded by the National Iranian Copper Industry Co. because recycling precious metals from secondary resources brings a lot of benefits for the company.

My doctoral dissertation examined the hydrodynamic, thermodynamics, and kinetic parameters affecting solvent extraction in a mixer-settler. During my Ph.D, I continued my research in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Instituto Superior Técnico, Portugal, as a visiting researcher under the supervision of Prof. Jorge M.R. Carvalho (2009–2010).

In 2010, I joined the University of Birjand as an assistant professor in the Mining Engineering department. With great effort, I set up the first hydrometallurgical laboratory with financial support of the projects as well as the university’s budget. Despite limited and basic equipment, my group has done a lot of research and some industry-based projects. Over the past ten years, in addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate students, my research focused on recovering valuable metals from primary and secondary resources, wastewater treatment, and synthesis of nanoparticles. Recently, my colleague and I established a knowledge-based company in the field of hydrometallurgy, and we hope to play an effective role in this industry in the future.

That was actually the first time I left my country. I vividly remember when I got the grant to go abroad after a great deal of effort. I was eager to experience new challenges but, at the same time, I was anxious about my journey.

The diverse variety of laboratory and equipment I could use for my research attracted me more than anything else. The staff were really friendly, supportive, and helpful. They gave me access to all materials and equipment that I needed. Their kindness in this regard was priceless because my grant just supported the cost of living and, without their help, my research could not proceed. Despite all the difficulties of a young girl who lives alone in a foreign country, it was an amazing experience. This opportunity changed my outlook on academic life and made me more confident in continuing my research in hydrometallurgy.

Approximately 70% of Iranian university graduates in STEM are women. In the field of mining engineering, the number of female students is still in the minority due to the work environment, in which men are predominant and preferred. For example, in my department, 5 out of 30 students are women; in the master’s program, the situation is even worse, so that in the last 10 years we have had only six female master graduates in the field of mineral processing and hydrometallurgy. Most women working in this field are engaged in universities or the R&D sector of mining companies; however, a small number of women are employed in positions such as mining and project managers. Thus, with such a high number of STEM graduates, there is a push to get women more involved in Iran’s economic scene, and government should provide equal opportunities for women in jobs that are currently dominated by men.

My goals for the next step of my professional life focus on two parts. First, I am enthusiastic to have some international cooperation with other academics or industrial scientists to embrace new challenges, work on international projects, gain knowledge, show my abilities, and become a recognised expert in hydrometallurgy among my peers and in industry. Secondly, I would like to expand my company and play an effective role in mining projects.