Fernando is a geologist specializing in the geochemistry, mineralogy, and geometallurgy of critical raw materials and battery-metals deposits. He holds a Bachelor of Geology and a Master of Science degree from the University of São Paulo (Brazil), with a one-year educational exchange at the Australian National University, and a doctoral degree (PhD) from KU Leuven (Belgium). His research tracks the desired metals (e.g., Ni and Co), but also possible by-products and any potentially harmful elements, from mining operations to their incorporation into batteries. Through a combination of bulk and in situ analytical techniques, he characterizes solid and fluid samples, providing valuable insights into mineralogical factors affecting processing efficiency and enabling the optimization of Ni/Co flowsheets while ensuring the responsible management of waste materials.
