Dr. Jaeheon Lee

Expertise:  Extractive Metallurgy, Mineral Processing,  Process Metallurgist for Gold, Copper, and Base Metals, Various Experience in Ore Characterization and Metallurgical Projects, Expertise in Refractory Ore Processing - POX, Roasting, Biooxidation, Bioleaching, Overall Extractive Metallurgy, Biomining, and Metal Recycling 

Professor Lee is one of a handful of experts internationally who specialize in the microbial-assisted processing of valuable sulfide ore, rare earth and critical minerals. He earned his doctoral degree in materials science and engineering at the University of Arizona (UA) in 2003, and he received his BS (1993) and MS (1995) degrees in metallurgical engineering from Korea University in Seoul, South Korea.   

From 2007 to 2011, he was Senior Metallurgical Engineer with Newmont Mining.  From 2011 to 2014, he was Senior Project Metallurgist and Senior Process Engineer with Barrick Gold of North America.  From 2007 to 2011, he was Senior Metallurgical Engineer with Newmont Mining. 

Jaeheon was an associate professor at UA from 2014 until his relocation to the Colorado School of Mines in August 2022. His research interests include ore characterization and hydrometallurgical processes of base metals, precious metals and rare earth elements. Lee is also an expert in biohydrometallurgical process for a treatment of refractory sulfide minerals.  Lee is using his experience working at and with global mining companies to develop a research program in extractive metallurgy and create new courses focusing on the needs of the industry.  He currently serves as one of the two Site Directors at Mines for the Tailings Center.

B.S., Metallurgical Engineering, Korea University

M.S., Metallurgical Engineering, Korea University 

Ph.D., Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Arizona