Comprehensive Recovery of Metals in Tailings Utilization with Mechanochemical Activation

Abstract

The paper analyzes the results of metal extraction from tailings of ore processing based on traditional approaches. The history of methods of secondary processing of mineral raw materials is described. The technique and features of mechanochemical activation of the leaching process of metal ores and coals are described. The results of laboratory studies of a new mechanochemical technology for metal extraction are presented. A description of the compromise optimal criterion formulated in the model of extraction of metals from tailings with substandard mineral raw materials based on the mathematical planning of the experiment, regression analysis methods and consideration of sanitary standards for the disposal of processing tailings is proposed. Mechanochemical technology results in economic and environmental effects from the utilization of processing tailings and radical strengthening of the mineral resource base of the mining industry.

Principles of Sustainable Development of Georesources as a Way to Reduce Urban Vulnerability

“…Consequentially, the use of binder based on ordinary cement is impossible. Experiments on the creation of hardening materials based on waste from potash ore processing have shown the advantage of magnesium binders [74,75], so the use of magnesium-containing components as a binder could be an acceptable option.…”

The Development of Innovated Complex Process for Treatment of Old Flotation Tailings of Copper-Zinc Sulfide Ore

“…The base and precious metal contents in flotation tailings are often comparable to those in the processed sulfide ores. The reserves of metals contained in flotation tailing in some sites may be estimated as significant due to the large volumes of wastes accumulated from decades of exploitation of some mineral deposits [15,17,21]. Therefore, investigations have been carried out in recent decades to estimate the possibility of metal extraction from old sulfide-containing tailings using different approaches, which include hydrometallurgical techniques (acid leaching (with sulfuric, organic, hydrochloric leaching), leaching with sodium chloride, cupric chloride, ammonium salts, different oxidants, cyanidation, column and stirred tank reactor bioleaching [2,8,18,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29], roasting [30] and flotation [3], as well as treatment of AMD formed in tailing disposal areas as source of metals [16].…”

“…The reserves of metals contained in flotation tailing in some sites may be estimated as significant due to the large volumes of wastes accumulated from decades of exploitation of some mineral deposits [15,17,21]. Therefore, investigations have been carried out in recent decades to estimate the possibility of metal extraction from old sulfide-containing tailings using different approaches, which include hydrometallurgical techniques (acid leaching (with sulfuric, organic, hydrochloric leaching), leaching with sodium chloride, cupric chloride, ammonium salts, different oxidants, cyanidation, column and stirred tank reactor bioleaching [2,8,18,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29], roasting [30] and flotation [3], as well as treatment of AMD formed in tailing disposal areas as source of metals [16]. The results of these studies suggest that valuable metals can be successfully extracted from these wastes and high levels of extraction can be reached, while the specific chemical and mineral composition and high iron content (in the form of pyrite and oxide minerals) result in difficulties in base metal extraction.…”