Dr. Duggirala Mitra: Deputy Manager at JSW Steel ltd, India
Dr. Duggirala Mitra
Current Role/Designation: Deputy Manager
Organization: JSW Steel Ltd
Country: India
Subject Track: Engineering
Key Areas of Expertise: Mineral Process Engineering, Beneficiation of Lean Grade Ores
Award Categories: Best Innovator Award
Dr. Duggirala Vijaya Mitra is an accomplished mineral process engineer with a strong background in iron ore and coal beneficiation, tailings utilization, and sustainable mineral technologies. He holds a Ph.D. in Mineral Process Engineering from Andhra University College of Engineering and currently works as Deputy Manager in the Research and Development Department at JSW Steel Ltd. Over the years, Dr. Mitra has established himself as a dedicated researcher with a passion for industrial innovation, particularly in upgrading low-grade ores and repurposing tailings for commercial use. His work bridges the gap between academic research and practical application, with a proven record of delivering impactful projects, publishing scientific articles, and presenting at reputed conferences.
Online Profiles
Education
Dr. Mitra earned his Ph.D. in Mineral Process Engineering from Andhra University College of Engineering on 14th February 2023. His doctoral research was focused on optimizing beneficiation techniques for iron ore and coal, exploring the integration of advanced separation technologies such as gravity and magnetic separation following fine grinding. During his academic career, he developed a deep understanding of complex mineral systems, process engineering fundamentals, and analytical methods used in metallurgical research. This strong educational foundation equipped him to transition smoothly into industrial R&D, where he now applies these principles to large-scale mineral processing challenges.
Research Focus
Dr. Mitra’s primary research interests lie in the beneficiation and sustainable utilization of iron ore and coal tailings. He focuses on improving the grade, yield, and recovery of valuable minerals using methods such as grinding, gravity separation, flotation, and magnetic separation. A key area of his work involves developing eco-friendly processing techniques that minimize environmental impact while maximizing resource recovery. He is also actively engaged in repurposing mineral tailings for industrial applications such as cement additives, construction materials, and fillers, thereby aligning his research with circular economy principles. His work aims to make mineral processing more efficient, sustainable, and economically viable.
Experience
Currently working as Deputy Manager at JSW Steel Ltd, Dr. Mitra has over 3 years of experience in industrial research and development. His role involves leading mineral beneficiation projects, designing process flowsheets, conducting lab and pilot-scale trials, and generating techno-commercial solutions for raw material optimization. Prior to this, he held positions such as Senior Research Fellow, Junior Research Fellow, and Project Assistant, contributing to both academic and industrial research in mineral engineering. He has successfully handled multi-disciplinary projects that involve team coordination, experimental design, process modeling, and data interpretation. His career has been marked by a commitment to translating theoretical research into practical, scalable industrial outcomes.
Research Timeline & Activities
Between 2018 and 2025, Dr. Mitra has actively engaged in a wide range of research activities, starting from coal flotation and hydrotrope applications during his early academic years to advanced iron ore beneficiation during his doctoral and industrial tenure. His timeline includes the development of process routes for enhancing Fe recovery, use of starch-based depressants in reverse flotation, and optimization of grinding media for pellet feed preparation. He has participated in more than 10 national and international conferences, delivering presentations on sustainable processing and novel separation techniques. His recent research includes studies on thickener performance, flocculent efficiency, and reuse of tailings in value-added products, showing a clear progression toward sustainable mineral resource management.
Awards & Honors
Dr. Mitra’s career progression and research visibility demonstrate a high level of recognition in his field. His promotion to Deputy Manager in a top-tier organization like JSW Steel Ltd and repeated invitations to present at international conferences in the UK and India highlight his standing as a trusted expert in mineral processing. He has received appreciation from both academic mentors and industrial leaders for his contributions to process improvement, cost reduction, and sustainability. His research has also been featured in reputed journals and proceedings, further cementing his credibility in the mineral engineering domain.
Top Noted Publication
Among his notable contributions, the paper titled “Sustainable Iron Ore Tailings Management through Reprocessing”, published in the Transactions of the Indian Institute of Metals on July 19, 2025, stands out as a key achievement. This publication outlines a strategic approach to managing and reprocessing iron ore tailings using a combination of gravity and magnetic separation methods. The study demonstrated significant improvements in Fe recovery and grade enhancement, with practical implications for the pellet plant feed preparation. This work not only addressed technical challenges but also emphasized environmental responsibility, making it a reference point for both researchers and practitioners in mineral processing.
Enhanced Recovery by Hydrotropes in Oxidized Coal Flotation
Duggirala Vijaya Mitra, Ch Asha Immanuel Raju, T Gouri Charan
International Journal of Renewable Energy and its Commercialization, Volume 7, Issue 1, Pages 19–23, Published on 20th June 2021.
This study explores the role of hydrotropes, specifically sodium benzoate, as activators in the flotation of oxidized coal. Traditional flotation techniques often struggle with low-grade fines; however, this research demonstrates that the use of hydrotropes significantly enhances the recovery and quality of the concentrate. The recovery rate increased from 12.8% under standard plant conditions to 31% with the addition of sodium benzoate, while the ash content in the concentrate was reduced from 22.21% to 18.60%. Hydrotropes, which are amphiphilic molecules that improve solubility without forming micelles, were found to aid in the effective dispersion and attachment of particles during flotation. The results highlight the potential of hydrotropes to improve both yield and efficiency in coal beneficiation processes.