Rate My Professor Richard Alorro

Associate Professor Richard Alorro is affiliated with the Western Australian School of Mines: Minerals, Energy and Chemical Engineering at Curtin University. He holds a PhD in Sustainable Resources Engineering from Hokkaido University in Japan, supported by a scholarship from Japan's Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology (MEXT), and a Bachelor's degree. Prior to his academic career at Curtin, he worked as a Corporate Metallurgist for a major nickel producer in the Philippines. Possessing over 15 years of experience in metallurgical engineering and resources and geo-environmental engineering, Alorro's academic interests and research specializations include hydrometallurgy, leaching and solvent extraction, mineral processing, waste treatment and recycling, and recovery of heavy and precious metals from secondary sources. His PhD research focused on applying mineral processing and hydrometallurgical techniques for metal recovery from secondary sources.

Alorro has contributed to international collaborations, including a three-year project with South Korea's Danam-ENE Co. Ltd. titled 'Selective Recovery of Gold and Other Precious Metals from Urban Mines,' developing magnetic solid phase extraction methods for efficient precious metal purification from end-of-life products. As part of the Philippines' Balik Scientist Program, he was hosted by Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, delivering lectures and mentoring students and staff in metallurgical engineering, materials science and engineering, and sustainable development. He has produced numerous peer-reviewed publications, including 'A review on current practices and emerging technologies for rare earth elements recovery from coal-related materials' (Journal of Environmental Management, 2019), 'Combined Pyro and Hydrometallurgical Treatment of EAF Dust for Zinc and Iron Recycling' (2024), 'Technospheric Mining of MineWastes' (2021), 'Hydrochloric Acid Leaching of Philippine Coal Fly Ash' (2022), and 'Dissolution and Kinetic Study of Lithium Leaching from β-Spodumene Waste Using Citric Acid' (2022). Alorro received the International Mineral Processing Council (IMPC) Young Author Award in 2010 and recognition from Curtin University's Faculty of Science and Engineering for research excellence. His work influences sustainable resource recovery and the energy transition via critical minerals and metals processing.