Bio: I am a Senior Lecturer and Researcher at DUT. I was born in Haut-Katanga, rich mining province of D.R. Congo, I grew up desiring to become a chemical engineer. I attended a technical high school where I learnt about materials processing while I was 16 years. After matriculating with distinction, I pursued my dream sweetheart chemical engineering at the University of Lubumbashi. Involved in research and engineering solutions at COMPS especially as team member to work on the commissioning of a pilot plant using Fischer- Tropsch (FT) technology to convert coal to liquid fuels and other major projects. Dr Ntunka completed his PhD from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. He was keen, driven, and inquisitive, determined and shows initiative. His doctoral research focused on the recovery of electrolytic grade manganese dioxide, using an integrated circuit, comprising grinding, leaching, purification and electrolysis.

Special quote: “If you have built castles in the air, your work need not be lost; that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them.” Henry David Thoreau

Research Area:

Distillation and Separation technologies, Electrochemical engineering, Hydrometallurgy, Minerals Processing, Clean Fuels (Hydrogen, Biodiesel, Ethanol), Fluidized Beds, Clean Technology, Utilization of Renewable Materials, Sustainable Engineering.

Dr Ntunka is an expert in electro chlorination anodes for consulting projects. He is also a member of the African centre of excellence for batteries (CAEB). The centre focused in the research of processing of minerals containing lithium, tantalum and the production of green hydrogen.

Recent Publications

• Kakonke, G., Tesfaye, T., Sithole, B.B. and Ntunka, M.G. (2020). Production and characterization of cotton-chicken feather fibres blended absorbent fabrics. Journal of Cleaner Production. 243.
• Grace Kakonke, Tamrat Tesfaye, Bruce Sithole, Mbuyu Ntunka (2021). A novel method for rapid extraction of biofibres from waste chicken feathers. Journal of solid waste technology and management. Volume 47, No 1, 31-44.