(i) Nickeliferous Laterite Processing: As the nickel sulphide ore deposits become more difficult to mine, the oxidic ores are becoming the major source for the global nickel metal supply. However, these ores cannot be beneficiated to any significant extent and they leave a larger environmental footprint than the sulphide ores. The current processes suffer from a number of disadvantages and the proposed leaching processes have not achieved commercial application. For these reasons, it is of interest to investigate the selective reduction of the nickel oxide by methane to produce a high-grade nickel concentrate.

(ii) EAF Dust Processing: On an annual basis, over one million tons of electric arc furnace (EAF) dust is produced in North America. The major problem with this material is that it is highly contaminated and this results in complicated flowsheets for metal extraction. In this regard, there is considerable recent interest in the microwave process for EAF dust treatment. The microwave reduction of dust with methane-based reducing agents to remove zinc and to reduce the iron oxide to magnetite, which can be magnetically separated was investigated. 

(iii) Chromite Ore Processing: Chromite ore is one of the most critical minerals for extracting chromium and producing ferrochrome. Microwave reduction of chromite ore by methane and also the segregation process are some possible projects. Microwave augmentation of a conventional heating source could lead to the development of a new process for chromite smelting.

(iv) Polymetallic Nodules Processing: A new project can be initiated on the pyrometallurgical processing of polymetallic nodules from the ocean floor. This will involve extensive characterization followed by design and development of a process to recover the metal values. Again, this could include microwave processing with methane-based reducing agents.