Research Group

Minerals, Bioresources and Environment (GIMBA)

ABOUT OUR Group

The Minerals, Bioresources, and Environment Research Group (GIMBA), with more than 39 years of experience, conducts scientific research, technological development, innovation, and human talent development in strategic areas related to mineral resources, the bioeconomy, environmental remediation, and the energy transition. Its work has contributed to strengthening scientific and technological capabilities to address challenges in the mining, agro-industrial, energy, and environmental sectors, establishing the group as a national benchmark through the quality of its research, the execution of R&D&I projects, and the training of researchers in undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs.

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Currently, GIMBA focuses its efforts on developing sustainable technologies that promote the efficient use of natural resources, the circular economy, waste valorization, environmental protection, and climate change mitigation. Its research integrates multidisciplinary approaches to mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, materials development, soil engineering, agro-input production, wastewater treatment, renewable energy, CO₂ valorization, green hydrogen production, and the design, modeling, and simulation of processes and equipment for mining and energy, biotechnological, and environmental applications.

In the short and medium term, the group will continue strengthening its research lines through the execution of high-impact projects, the consolidation of national and international collaborative networks, knowledge transfer to the productive sector, and the training of highly qualified researchers. It will also promote the development of technological solutions aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), industrial decarbonization, sustainable resource management, and the bioeconomy.

As a long-term vision, GIMBA seeks to consolidate its position as a national leader in research and innovation for the sustainable use of minerals and bioresources, the development of clean technologies, and the transition toward a low-carbon economy, thereby contributing to economic growth, industrial competitiveness, and environmental protection.

Photograph of team member Julio Andrés Pedraza

Julio Andrés
PEDRAZA AVELLA

Research Group Director

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RESEARCH Lines

Promotes the efficient use of materials, waste, and by-products through circular economy strategies, resource recovery from industrial and electronic waste (urban mining), and the development of industrial symbiosis schemes. Its objective is to reduce raw material consumption, minimize waste generation, and strengthen sustainable production models.

Conducts research on the generation, storage, and utilization of renewable energy, as well as technologies for the capture, utilization, and valorization of carbon dioxide (CO₂). This research line includes the development of functional materials, photocatalytic processes, green hydrogen production, sustainable fuels, and other strategies aimed at decarbonization and the energy transition.

Focuses on the design, modeling, simulation, optimization, and scale-up of processes and equipment for the mining, energy, biotechnology, and environmental sectors. It encompasses the development of reactors, separation systems, processing equipment, and computational simulation tools to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and technical and economic feasibility of industrial processes.

Investigates the behavior, characterization, and improvement of soils, as well as the development and evaluation of conventional and alternative construction materials. This research line includes studies on soil stabilization, the use of industrial and mining waste, geotechnics, and the development of sustainable materials with enhanced mechanical and environmental properties.

Conducts research on the characterization, beneficiation, and transformation of mineral resources through physical, chemical, and metallurgical processes that improve mineral recovery and resource utilization. It also addresses the integrated management of solid materials, waste, and by-products, promoting more efficient, sustainable processes with a lower environmental impact.

Develops technologies for sustainable soil management, as well as the production and evaluation of agricultural inputs, biofertilizers, and soil amendments. It also promotes the valorization of biological resources and organic waste under bioeconomy principles, aiming to strengthen agricultural productivity through innovative solutions that contribute to environmental sustainability and food security.

Investigates technologies for the treatment of wastewater, industrial effluents, gaseous emissions, and solid waste using physical, chemical, biological, and advanced oxidation processes. Its objective is to prevent and mitigate pollution, recover valuable resources, and protect ecosystems while contributing to environmental compliance and sustainable development.

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MinCiencias
Classification

*2024 Group Recognition Call

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Senior or Associate Professors

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A1 and A2 -Ranked Articles

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Academic Programs

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Espacio especial para servicios o proyectos

Subtitulo de información adicional si se requiere

EXTENSION Services

  • Gold and Silver Analysis in Minerals by Fire Assay
  • Particle Size Analysis
  • Determination of Total Acidity in Water
  • Determination of Total Alkalinity, Bicarbonates, and Carbonates in Water
  • Determination of Arsenic and Selenium in Raw Materials, Finished Products, Soils, and Water
  • Determination of Chlorides in Water
  • Determination of Mercury in Water, Raw Materials, Finished Products, Minerals, and Soils
  • Determination of Metals in Minerals, Soils, and Other Solid Samples
  • Determination of Metals and Minerals in Raw Materials
  • Determination of Selenium in Minerals
  • Determination of Dissolved Solids, Settleable Solids, Suspended Solids, Total Solids, and Volatile Solids in Water
  • Determination of Sulfates and Sulfides in Water
  • Determination of Trace Heavy Metals (Cadmium and Lead) in Raw Materials, Finished Products, and Soils
  • Moisture Determination in Minerals and Soils
  • Gold Content in Metal
  • TCLP Leaching Test for Hazardous Waste
  • Silver Content in Metal
  • pH Determination in Soils
  • Rock and Mineral Crushing and Pulverization
  • Elemental Composition Analysis by Optical Emission Spectrometry (Spark-OES)
  • Ash Content Determination in Solid Samples
  • Determination of Total Cyanide, Weak Acid Dissociable Cyanide, and Free Cyanide in Water and Solid Samples
  • Determination of Electrical Conductivity in Water
  • Determination of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in Water
  • Determination of Total Hardness in Water
  • Determination of Phosphorus in Soils and Total Phosphorus and Phosphates in Water
  • Determination of Lithium in Water and Soils
  • Determination of Total Metals in Hazardous Waste and Dissolved Metals in Water
  • Determination of Nitrates and Nitrites in Water
  • Determination of pH in Water
  • Determination of Turbidity in Water
  • Bottle Cyanidation Test
  • Tank Cyanidation Kinetics Test
  • Diagnostic Leaching Test

Phone

607 6344000 Extension: 3504

WhatsApp

+57 305 342 1605

Email

gimba.lab@uis.edu.co

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OUR Team

Photograph of team member Angel Manuel Melendez

Ángel Manuel
MELÉNDEZ REYES

PhD in Chemical Sciences

Photograph of team member Elcy Maria Cordoba

Elcy María
CÓRDOBA TUTA

PhD in Materials Science and Technology

Photograph of team member Edgar Mauricio Morales

Edgar Mauricio
MORALES VALENCIA

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Photograph of team member Edwing Velasco

Edwing Alexander
VELASCO ROZO

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Photograph of team member Luis Javier Lopez

Julio Andrés
PEDRAZA AVELLA

PhD in Chemistry

Photograph of team member Lilia Carolina Rojas Pérez

Lilia Carolina
ROJAS PÉREZ

PhD in Engineering

Photograph of team member Pedro Luis Delvasto

Pedro Luis
DELVASTO ANGARITA

PhD in Materials Science and Technology

Photograph of team member Viviana Sánchez Torres

Viviana
SÁNCHEZ TORRES

PhD in Chemical Engineering

Dionisio Antonio LAVERDE CATAÑO PhD in Industrial Engineering

Jhon Freddy PALACIOS PhD in Chemical Engineering

Julio Elías PEDRAZA ROSAS Master's Degree in Mining Civil Engineering

Milton MANRIQUE GALLARDO PhD in Metallurgy

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Minerals, Bioresources, and Environment Research Group (GIMBA)

Phone: +57 (607) 634 4000

Extension: 3504

Email: gimba@uis.edu.co – gimba.lab@uis.edu.co

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Icono de ubicación de la unidad que atiende

Parque tecnológico de Guatiguará (PTG)

Piedecuesta, Santander

Edificio antiguo, piso 2

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Office Hours

Monday to Friday

7:00 a.m. – noon.

2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

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