Principles of Extractive Metallurgy Course | IIT Kharagpur | Prof. Tarun Kumar Kundu
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 28 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Metallurgy and Material science & Mining Engineering, Minor in Metallurgy |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 26 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Master the Science of Metal Extraction: A Guide to the Principles of Extractive Metallurgy
Have you ever wondered how the aluminum in your soda can or the copper in electrical wires is produced from raw earth? The answer lies in the fascinating and complex field of Extractive Metallurgy. This discipline is the bridge between mined ore and the pure metals that drive modern industry and technology. For undergraduate students and professionals in metallurgy, materials science, mining, and chemical engineering, a deep understanding of these principles is fundamental.
We are excited to present a detailed overview of a comprehensive 12-week course, "Principles of Extractive Metallurgy," offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur. This course provides a structured, unit-process-based approach to understanding how metals are won from their ores.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Tarun Kumar Kundu
The course is expertly delivered by Prof. Tarun Kumar Kundu from the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. With a stellar academic background including a B.E. from REC (NIT) Durgapur, an M.E. from IISc Bengaluru, and a Ph.D. from Luleå University of Technology, Sweden, Prof. Kundu brings a wealth of knowledge and research experience.
Since joining IIT Kharagpur in 2006, he has been teaching core undergraduate courses, including this very subject. His research is at the cutting edge, involving ab-initio modeling for flotation and solvent extraction, thermodynamic modeling of leaching processes, and CFD-based modeling of steelmaking. He holds international and Indian patents for eco-friendly production methods of titanium and aluminum, ensuring the course content is both foundational and forward-looking.
About the Course: A Modern Approach to Metal Extraction
This course moves away from the traditional descriptive, metal-by-metal presentation. Instead, it adopts a unit process-based approach, focusing on the core scientific and engineering principles that underpin all metal extraction. You will learn the philosophy behind each key process and how they are strategically combined in flow sheets to extract specific metals based on their ore type and purity requirements.
Intended Audience: Undergraduate students (Major and Minor) in Metallurgical Engineering, Metallurgy and Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Process Metallurgy, and Chemical Engineering.
Prerequisites: A solid foundation in Higher Secondary level Chemistry, Mathematics, and Thermodynamics is recommended.
Who Should Take This Course? Industry Relevance
The principles taught are directly applicable across a wide spectrum of the metals and mining industry. Major companies in the following sectors recognize the value of this knowledge:
- Aluminium Extraction: Vedanta Aluminium, NALCO, BALCO, Hindalco.
- Copper Extraction: Hindustan Copper Ltd., Bhagyanagar India Ltd.
- Zinc, Lead, Silver, Cadmium Extraction: Hindustan Zinc Ltd., Ambuja Zinc Ltd.
- Titanium and Rare Earth Producers: Indian Rare Earths Limited, Kerala Minerals and Metals Ltd.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
The course is meticulously structured to build your knowledge from the ground up over 12 weeks.
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Classification of Metals, Uses, Overview of Extraction & Refining Routes |
| Week 2 | Types of Metal-bearing Minerals, Mineral Beneficiation: Unit Steps & Evaluation |
| Week 3 | Physical Separation: Crushing, Grinding, Screening, Solid-Liquid Separation, Sorting |
| Week 4 | Physical Concentration: Gravity, Magnetic, Electrostatic Separation, Froth Flotation |
| Week 5 | Fuels in Metallurgy: Characterization, Coke-Making, Flame Temperature |
| Week 6 | Metallurgical Furnaces, Fuel Use, Heat Exchangers, Refractories, Ore Agglomeration |
| Week 7 | Chemical Treatment: Calcination, Roasting, Thermodynamics (Predominant Area Diagrams) |
| Week 8 | Reduction Processes: Smelting, Thermodynamics, Application to Fe, Zn, Pb, Sn, Mg |
| Week 9 | Sulfide Extraction: Matte Smelting, Conversion, Application to Cu & Ni, Flash Smelting |
| Week 10 | Halide Metallurgy (Kroll Process), Refining of Pb, Fe, Cu, Ti, U, Si; New Methods |
| Week 11 | Hydrometallurgy: Leaching, Solvent Extraction, Ion-Exchange, Applications in Au, Ni, Al |
| Week 12 | Electrometallurgy: Electrolytic Reduction & Refining (e.g., Al); Environmental Concerns |
Recommended Textbooks & Resources
To complement the video lectures, the following authoritative texts are recommended:
- Principles of Extractive Metallurgy by H. S. Ray and A. Ghosh
- Extraction of Nonferrous Metals by H. S. Ray, R. Shridhar and K. P. Abraham
- Physical Chemistry of Metallurgical Processes by M. Shamsuddin
- Treatise on Process Metallurgy, Vol. 1, 2, 3, edited by S. Seetharaman
Why Enroll in This Course?
This course offers a unique opportunity to learn extractive metallurgy from a premier institution and an expert in the field. By understanding the unit processes—from mineral beneficiation and pyrometallurgy to hydrometallurgy and electrometallurgy—you will gain a versatile skill set applicable to extracting any metal. This foundational knowledge is critical for a successful career in metallurgical industries, research, and development, especially in an era focused on sustainable and efficient resource utilization.
Whether you are a student aiming to solidify your core knowledge or a professional seeking to refresh and update your understanding, this 12-week journey through the principles of extractive metallurgy is an invaluable resource.
Enroll Now →