Coppe student wins top global prize for young researchers in mineral processing
Planeta COPPE / Metallurgical and Materials Engineering / News
Date: 30/04/2026

Doctoral student Túlio Moreira Campos, from Coppe/UFRJ’s Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Program (PEMM), won the 2025 MEI Young Person’s Award, considered the most important international recognition aimed at young researchers in the mineral processing field.
Granted by Minerals Engineering International and announced on April 6th, the award annually highlights a researcher under 35 years old with an outstanding contribution and global impact in the sector.
The achievement places Túlio among the few Brazilians to receive the honor — this is only the second time the award has been given to a researcher from our country. The first occurred in 2013, with Rodrigo Carvalho, now a professor at PEMM.
The recognition reflects an outstanding academic career, with research in particle breakage, mathematical modeling and optimization of comminution processes, in addition to significant scientific production, with articles published in international journals and participation in projects with industry.
Among his main results is the development of a mathematical model with real-time operation, capable of automatically collecting data in a pelletizing plant at the Tubarão Complex, owned by Vale S.A. The solution has already been integrated into the production process and is currently in the implementation phase as part of an advanced control system.
Nominated by his supervisor, professor Luís Marcelo Tavares, coordinator of the Mineral Technology Laboratory (LTM), Túlio had his candidacy evaluated by an international committee, and received support from Professors Holger Lieberwirth, from the Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (Germany) and Malcolm Powell, from the University of Queensland (Australia).
In addition to his scientific production, the researcher is a member of the Global Comminution Collaborative (GCC) and actively participates in the Brazilian Association of Metallurgy, Materials and Mining (ABM).
Learn more about Túlio and his nomination for the award: https://abrir.link/ocnHQ
