Is Near-zero Waste Production of Copper and Its Geochemically Scarce Companion Elements Feasible?

Reijnders, L.

doi:10.1080/08827508.2021.1986706

Cited by 7 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 331 publications

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“…These are also known as "elements of concern" [15], and the best known of these elements are arsenic, mercury, cadmium, thallium, thorium, and uranium. The presence of these PHEs in metal ores is the main reason why the ideal of zero-waste metallurgy is impossible to achieve and that near-zero-waste metallurgy is a more practical target [81].…”

Section: Principle 6: Safely Dispose Of Potentially Harmful Elementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Twelve Principles of Circular Hydrometallurgy

Binnemans

Jones

2022

J. Sustain. Metall.

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In this academic position paper, we propose the 12 Principles of a novel and more sustainable approach to hydrometallurgy that we call “circular hydrometallurgy.” The paper intends to set a basis for identifying future areas of research in the field of hydrometallurgy, while providing a “sustainability” benchmark for assessing existing processes and technological developments. Circular hydrometallurgy refers to the designing of energy-efficient and resource-efficient flowsheets or unit processes that consume the minimum quantities of reagents and result in minimum waste. The application of a circular approach involves new ways of thinking about how hydrometallurgy is applied for both primary and secondary resources. In either case, the emphasis must be on the regeneration and reuse of every reagent in the process. This refers not only to the acids and bases employed for leaching or pH control, but also any reducing agents, oxidizing agents, and other auxiliary reagents. Likewise, the consumption of water and energy must be reduced to an absolute minimum. To consolidate the concept of circular hydrometallurgical flowsheets, we present the 12 Principles that will boost sustainability: (1) regenerate reagents, (2) close water loops, (3) prevent waste, (4) maximize mass, energy, space, and time efficiency, (5) integrate materials and energy flows, (6) safely dispose of potentially harmful elements, (7) decrease activation energy, (8) electrify processes wherever possible, (9) use benign chemicals, (10) reduce chemical diversity, (11) implement real-time analysis and digital process control, and (12) combine circular hydrometallurgy with zero-waste mining. Although we realize that the choice of these principles is somewhat arbitrary and that other principles could be imagined or some principles could be merged, we are nevertheless convinced that the present framework of these 12 Principles, as put forward in this position paper, provides a powerful tool to show the direction of future research and innovation in hydrometallurgy, both in industry and in academia. Graphical Abstract

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Section: Principle 6: Safely Dispose Of Potentially Harmful Elementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Twelve Principles of Circular Hydrometallurgy

Binnemans

Jones

2022

J. Sustain. Metall.

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“…Although small GHG reductions are possible by 2050, exploring additional strategies to meet future climate ambitions is imperative to meet the Paris climate agreement. Reijnders (2021) proposed the idea of near-zero waste production of copper, making use of the geochemically scarce elements and mineral matrix considerably lost in tailings, slags, and dust during the mining and refining stages. Assessing novel metallurgical processes and improving the recoverability of these elements/ minerals may open doors for additional ecological benefits.…”

Section: Implications For Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Toward Sustainable Reprocessing and Valorization of Sulfidic Copper Tailings: Scenarios and Prospective Lca

Adrianto

Ciacci

Pfister³

et al. 2022

SSRN Journal

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“…For tackling the problems, several studies have been recently published about a separate treatment of the flue dusts, for bleeding arsenic from the smelter and lowering its concentrations in the anodes and discard slag. [12][13][14] In copper smelting, arsenic thermodynamically favors the matte phase [15,16] but the high vapor pressures of arsenic species and high oxygen partial pressure at the end of the converting step lead to its strong deportment in the process gas.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%