Sep 16, 2025
I Eat Rocks 👍
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I Eat Rocks 👍
Meet Dan Manaig, metallurgical engineer
(1) What do you do?
I am a metallurgical engineer specializing in mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, and geometallurgy. I design processes to extract valuable metal, non-metal, metalloid, and minerals from rocks or secondary sources, such as byproducts and recycled materials.
For my Ph.D. project, I am tasked to design cost-effective hydrometallurgical extraction and purification processes to recover valuable metal and metalloids from a specific byproduct of a lead-zinc smelting plant in British Columbia, Canada.
(2) Where do you work?
I am doing my Ph.D. research at the University of British Columbia in the Okanagan valley, the hottest tech startup region in Canada. I work in two laboratories: Biological Solutions Lab and Fipke Lab for Trace Element Research.
(3) Tell us about the photo.
This was taken on the last day of my internship with my colleagues and supervisors at the Mauritanian Copper Mines, located somewhere in the scorching Sahara desert.
(4) Tell us about your academic career path so far:
Primary and Secondary Education (1998-2008):
Elementary - Daughters of Mary Immaculate School (Tanauan City, Batangas)
High School - First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities (Tanauan City, Batangas)
High School - Tomas del Rosario College (Balanga City, Bataan)
Bachelor’s Degree (2008 - 2012)
BSc in Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Philippines - Diliman (Philippines)
Master’s Degrees (2013 - 2015)
MSc in Geosciences Engineering, Lulea University of Technology (Sweden)
MSc in Geological and Mining Engineering, Universite de Liege (Belgium)
MSc in Geosciences, Planet Resources and Environment, Ecole Nationale Superieure de Geologie - Universite de Lorraine (France)
Doctorate Degree (2016 - present)
PhD in Mechanical Engineering specialized in Metallurgy and Electrochemistry (Canada)
Master of Laws Degree (2017 - present)
LLM in Oil, Gas, and Mining Law, Nottingham Trent University (United Kingdom)
(5) Anything else you'd like to share?
To whoever will read this, one valuable piece of advice from me would be: Go travel! I have started travelling when I moved to Europe as an Erasmus Mundus scholar, and I got hooked--25 countries now. There is so much to see and so much to learn when you get out there and explore. It will give you a much better perspective on how our world works and how we, as human beings, are so different yet the same. The experience would humble you, in the sense that, you will realize that you are just one out of the billions; geography, mother nature, and concrete jungles would definitely overwhelm you. However, as you witness the cruelty of mankind, it would also allow you to know your potential, and perhaps, be inspired to somehow make a difference.
The absolute raw power of the 3 in 1 Self Drilling Anchor System.
When you are dealing with failing rock formations, collapsing boreholes, or heavy water inflow, standard anchoring setups just won’t cut it. You need a system that doesn't blink in the face of brutal geology.
That’s where this powerhouse comes in. It completely reimagines ground support by integrating drilling , anchoring , and grouting into one non stop operation. The hollow steel bar serves as the drill string, then immediately becomes the injection tube to pump pressurized grout deep into the earth’s fractures, creating an absolute mechanical interlock.
The Spec Sheet :
Wear Resistant : Hardened sacrificial drill bits engineered to endure relentless friction against abrasive strata.
Corrosion Resistant : Advanced protective coatings designed to fight aggressive groundwater and acid soils for decades.
High Strength : Extreme tensile and yield strength built to withstand heavy structural loads in tunneling, mining, and slope stabilization.
No casings. No wasted downtime. Just pure, robust geotechnical efficiency.
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🚨 Safety First: Essential Guide to Ammonium Nitrate Explosive Mixtures
Safety isn't just a protocol; it's a lifesaver. 🛠️
Whether you're in mining, construction, or industrial chemistry, understanding the stability and risks of Ammonium Nitrate (AN) mixtures is non-negotiable. One wrong move in storage or mixing can lead to catastrophic results.
We’ve broken down the critical safety pillars from our latest guide to keep your site and team secure:
⚡ The "Big Three" Safety Essentials:
Contamination Control: Even trace amounts of organic materials or metal powders can drastically increase sensitivity. Keep it pure.
Temperature Monitoring: Thermal decomposition is the silent enemy. Do you know the critical "point of no return"?
Proper Ventilation: Preventing gas buildup is key to avoiding accidental ignition in storage facilities.
Did you know? Most AN-based accidents aren't caused by the substance itself, but by poor handling and environmental factors.
📖 Want to master the full safety protocol? Check out our comprehensive guide for detailed mixing ratios, storage requirements, and emergency response plans:
👉 [Read the Full Safety Guide Here]
How an Electronic Blasting System Unlocks Hidden Mining Profits in 2026
In the 2026 mining race, simply "breaking rock" isn't enough anymore. The focus has shifted to precision energy management. Many mine managers remain hesitant to switch due to the upfront unit price of an electronic blasting system, overlooking the massive "hidden costs" associated with legacy non-electric systems.
Why Your 2026 Budget Needs Digital Initiation ROI
At Handarblasting, our recent field audits confirm that moving to a digital initiation platform is more than a safety upgrade—it is a financial revolution. By leveraging millisecond detonation accuracy, operations can achieve three major economic breakthroughs:
⚡ Blast Fragmentation Optimization: Eliminating pyrotechnic delay scatter results in a tighter fragmentation curve. This translates directly to a 10-15% increase in primary crusher throughput.
📉 Energy Savings in Mining: Superior rock shattering reduces the work required in the grinding circuit, significantly lowering the kWh per tonne—a critical factor in the volatile 2026 energy market.
🛡️ Risk & Compliance Control: The pre-blast diagnostics inherent in an electronic blasting system virtually eliminate misfire risks while providing superior vibration attenuation to protect your social license to operate.
2026 Decision Logic: Unit Price vs. Operational Gain?
If you are still trying to save money by reducing the unit cost of detonators, you are likely wasting far more on fuel and electricity downstream. Handarblasting is dedicated to providing full-scenario industrial blasting solutions—from high-performance electronic blasting system hardware to expert on-site technical consultation.
Don’t let legacy initiation technology lock your profits in the muckpile.
Read our full 2026 ROI Analysis and TCO Report here: 👉 Read the Full Article on Handarblasting
⛏️ Deep Mining & Detonation: Why Chemistry Matters Underground
Underground mining isn’t just about grit; it’s about precision. When you’re miles below the surface, traditional blasting agents like ANFO can’t handle the pressure—literally.
Check out this deep dive into Emulsion Explosive technology. We’re breaking down the science of how a "water-in-oil" structure provides the ultimate stability for subsurface operations.
Key Takeaways:
Safety First: Why non-cap sensitive formulas are the standard for high-risk zones.
Breathing Room: How low-fume chemistry reduces ventilation downtime.
Waterproof Power: Maintaining VOD (Velocity of Detonation) in artesian conditions.
The future of subsurface excavation is more than just a big bang—it’s about smarter energy. 🧨
Full Guide: 👉
In mining and quarrying, the "Total Cost of Blasting" isn't just the price per ton of explosives—it’s the sum of drilling, blasting, crushin
Extremely Scientific Helicopter-Mounted Disc (ESHMD)
Optimum Block Size for Small Open Pit Porphyry Mines
Key Points Research suggests the optimum block size for a small open pit mine with a porphyry deposit is around 10m x 10m x 10m, balancing accuracy and computational efficiency. It seems likely that block dimensions are influenced by bench height (typically 10m), shovel width (around 3m), and deposit uniformity, but exact sizes vary by mine specifics. The evidence leans toward smaller blocks…