Mining and Metallurgical Waste as Potential Secondary Sources of Metals—A Case Study for the West Balkan Region

Šajn, Robert; Ristović, Ivica; Čeplak, Barbara

doi:10.3390/min12050547

Cited by 39 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…It is important to emphasize that even if a residue is not directly linked to mineral exploration, it entered the subsequent analysis of this Section because its use in the composition of mineral residues in recycling processes was identified in several analyzed articles, signaling its importance. For example, metallurgical waste in [32,71,72] and steel slag in [73][74][75][76].…”

Section: Granulation With Liquid Slag Impactmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recycling and Reuse of Mine Tailings: A Review of Advancements and Their Implications

Araujo¹,

Llano²,

Nunes³

2022

Preprint

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Mining is an important industry, accounting for 6.9% of global GDP. However, global development promotes accelerated demand, resulting in the accumulation of hazardous waste in land, sea, and air environments. It reached 7 billion tonnes of mine tailings generated yearly worldwide, and 19 billion solid tailings will be accumulated by 2025. Adding to this, the legacy of environmental damage from abandoned mines is worrying; in Canada there are around 10,000 abandoned mines, 50,000 in Australia, 6,000 in South Africa, and 9,500 coal mines in China, reaching 15,000 by 2050. In this scenario, restoration techniques from mining tailing have become increasingly discussed among scholars due to their potential to offer benefits towards reducing tailings levels, thereby reducing environmental pressure for the correct management and adding value to previously discarded waste. This review paper explores available literature on the main techniques of mining tailing recycling and reuse and discusses leading technologies, including the benefits and limitations, as well as emerging prospects. The findings of this review serve as a supporting reference for decision-makers concerning the related sustainability issues associated with mining, mineral processing, and solid waste management.

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Section: Granulation With Liquid Slag Impactmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recycling and Reuse of Mine Tailings: A Review of Advancements and Their Implications

Araujo¹,

Llano²,

Nunes³

2022

Preprint

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“…According to recent studies, it has been found that approximately 2.6 gigatons of waste are deposited at 1650 sites covering almost 65 km 2 in the Western Balkans. More than half of this material, 55%, is characterized as conventional mining waste, 37% belongs to the processing tailings, and 8% to metallurgical waste [7]. The main elements for economic evaluation of the landfill are: Ag, Au, Pb, Zn, Bi, Cu, Sb, W, In, Mo, Re, while the recovery of the Kosovo tailings could bring 7310 million USD inprofit [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…More than half of this material, 55%, is characterized as conventional mining waste, 37% belongs to the processing tailings, and 8% to metallurgical waste [7]. The main elements for economic evaluation of the landfill are: Ag, Au, Pb, Zn, Bi, Cu, Sb, W, In, Mo, Re, while the recovery of the Kosovo tailings could bring 7310 million USD inprofit [7]. More than 60 Mt of reserves from tailings have been accumulated in Kosovo.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Metal losses at the Trepça concentrator during the enrichment process

Hyseni¹,

Muzaqi²,

Durmishaj³

et al. 2022

Min. miner. depos.

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Purpose. The purpose of this paper is to determine the flow of lead, zinc and silver metals at the enrichment factory in Trepça. The authors have determined the flows of metals discharged into the tailing of Kelmend. In addition, they make a correction for the losses of Pb, Zn, and Ag metals, which are very high. Methods. Ore enrichment has been studied for two years in the production process of lead and zinc concentrates based on the following facts: selective separation of lead and zinc metallic minerals, as well as non-metallic minerals that are present in the ore. Sampling was conducted at the entrance to the ore receiving bunker. The samples were taken according to standards and sent for analysis in laboratories. In the laboratories, the samples were ground in a mill, then dried and sent for chemical analysis. The chemical analyses for Pb, Zn, and Ag were done at the Trepça laboratory, while for 35 chemical elements at the BRGM laboratory in France, with inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP/AES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) equipment. During the technological process, samples were taken for chemical analysis, and then in the flow, evidence was also taken to analyses the losses of lead, zinc, and silver metals. Mini Tab software was used to perform a T-test for independent samples and then correction was made for these metal losses in the tailing. The method of economic geology for the calculation of the balance of metals was used. Findings. Based on the study of the chemical analysis of ore at the entrance to the receiving bunker, then sampling during the technological process and the flow of metals into the tailing, the amount of metal losses for 2020 and 2021 has been determined. Based on the calculations of the metal balance, the metal losses that affect the economic evaluation are presented. The remains of landfills on the ground affect the pollution of the environment and rivers. Originality. The originality of the study is in the use of the results of chemical analyses obtained in the BRGM Laboratory in France on Pb, Zn, Ag and other conductive elements. A total of 35 chemical elements of tailings, which are presented in this work, have been tested. Practical implications. According to the data of chemical and geochemical analysis, it turns out that in addition to losses of Pb, Zn, and Ag, we also have losses of conductive and rare elements.

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“…The use of technogenic waste in the production of filling materials and/or as a potential source of minerals has recently been investigated in many countries around the world, which can be seen in published scientific papers in various journals. Some of the group authors engaged in the work and improvement of the use of waste material from the mining industry are observed in Russia [27][28][29][30][31], Czech Republic [32], Poland [33,34], China [8,11,35], Saudi Arabia [36], and Slovenia and Serbia [37]. The authors recognized the topicality of the problem created by mining waste and by using tailings, they are engaged in solving social, economic, and environmental problems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Cement Paste in Mining Works, Environmental Protection, and the Sustainable Development Goals in the Mining Industry

et al. 2022

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Cement paste is an already well-known material used in ore mining. It is mainly used to fill excavation areas and the tailings from the surface return to underground mines. In this way, the amount of deposited material and degradation of the surface of the terrain are reduced. The paste itself can be used as an artificial barrier between mining works and underground watercourses. Significant economic and environmental benefits can be expected from using cement paste, which would contribute to sustainable development. The basic materials that make up cemented paste backfill (CPB) are flotation tailings, cement, and water. For CPB to be adequately and safely applied to the filling of excavation spaces and indirectly to the protection of the groundwater, environment, and sustainable development of the mining industry, it must meet certain physical–mechanical, physicochemical, and deformation properties. This paper presents the results of synthesized and analyzed samples of different compositions based on flotation tailings (from the production of ZiJin Copper in Bor, Serbia), cement, and water. The methods used for chemical and mineralogical tests include inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and nephelometric turbidity units (NTUs; turbidimetry). The results prepared with CPB consisting of 5% cement, 24% water, and 71% flotation tailings were the most acceptable.

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Mining and Metallurgical Waste as Potential Secondary Sources of Metals—A Case Study for the West Balkan Region

Cited by 39 publications

References 43 publications

Recycling and Reuse of Mine Tailings: A Review of Advancements and Their Implications

Recycling and Reuse of Mine Tailings: A Review of Advancements and Their Implications

Metal losses at the Trepça concentrator during the enrichment process

Application of Cement Paste in Mining Works, Environmental Protection, and the Sustainable Development Goals in the Mining Industry

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