Jaqueline Lopes Diniz is a PhD candidate at The University of Western Australia and a Forrest Research Scholar, working under the supervision of Prof Rob Atkins on a project supported by Ekion. Her research focuses on the Coupled Transport and Reaction Phenomena during Electrokinetic In Situ Recovery of Gold from Tailings.
Jaqueline investigates how electric fields can mobilise and concentrate gold within tailings using Electrokinetic In Situ Recovery (EK-ISR). She examines the interplay between ionic transport, electroosmosis, and redox reactions, with a particular emphasis on green lixiviants such as amino acid–based and cholinium deep eutectic solvents (DESs). Her research combines electrokinetic column experiments with real-time monitoring and analytical techniques including ICP-OES, UV-Vis, and PHREEQC modelling to better understand gold speciation and migration.
Before commencing her PhD, Jaqueline gained applied experience as a geologist in Brazil, working across environmental licensing, water resource management, topography, remote sensing, and aggregate mining. She also contributed to research involving digital geological modelling and geostatistical interpretation. She holds an Honours degree and a Master’s by Research in Sedimentary Geology.
Jaqueline’s work will support the development of low-impact metal recovery technologies and contribute to Australia’s transition toward more circular and environmentally responsible mining practices.
