Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy: New Technologies and Applications

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sciences".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 December 2024 | Viewed by 544

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Departamento de Ingeniería en Metalurgia, Universidad de Atacama, Copiapó 1531772, Chile
Interests: ionic liquids; hydrometallurgy; green processes
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Mineral and extractive metallurgical processes play a crucial role in obtaining raw materials essential for advancing new technologies, which have significant socioeconomic and environmental impacts globally. In some countries, the mining sector is vital to their economic development. For instance, copper mining in Chile is the primary economic activity, directly contributing 10% to the country's gross domestic product and having widespread indirect effects on the broader economy. However, in recent years, the mining industry has faced a wide array of challenges:

  • Ores having progressively lower grades for metal mines;
  • Excessive long-term environmental liabilities in the form of tailings and waste rock piles;
  • Lack of available processing water.

These challenges are prompting technological innovations aimed at enhancing and optimizing metal recovery from both conventional and emerging processes. This includes the reuse and recycling of industrial streams, which can often be both economically and environmentally beneficial, an overall reduction in water consumption, and the integration of renewable energy generation throughout mining operations.

In this Special Issue, we welcome both review articles and original research focused on chemical and metallurgical processes, as well as related environmental studies. Possible topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Extractive metallurgical processes;
  • Environmental remediation and reclamation efforts, including treatment and utilization of mineral waste streams;
  • Impacts of technological innovation on the mineral value chain.

Dr. Jonathan Castillo
Dr. Norman Toro
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • hydrometallurgy
  • leaching
  • mineral processing
  • flotation
  • rheology
  • simulation
  • statistics
  • ionic liquids

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

24 pages, 7536 KiB  
Review
Direct Solar Thermal Water-Splitting Using Iron and Iron Oxides at High Temperatures: A Review
by Manuel Fuentes, Diego Pulido, Edward Fuentealba, Alvaro Soliz, Norman Toro, Atul Sagade and Felipe M. Galleguillos Madrid
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(16), 7056; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14167056 - 12 Aug 2024
Viewed by 414
Abstract
Green hydrogen is poised to play a crucial role in the energy-transition process in developed countries over the coming years, particularly in those countries aiming to achieve net-zero emissions. Consequently, the for green hydrogen is expected to rise significantly. This article explores the [...] Read more.
Green hydrogen is poised to play a crucial role in the energy-transition process in developed countries over the coming years, particularly in those countries aiming to achieve net-zero emissions. Consequently, the for green hydrogen is expected to rise significantly. This article explores the fundamental methods of producing hydrogen, focusing on the oxidation reaction within a thermochemical solar cycle for the dissociation of steam. Solar thermochemical cycles have been extensively researched, yet they remain in the development stage as research groups strive to identify optimal materials and conditions to enhance process efficiency, especially at high temperatures. The article analyses theoretical foundations drawn from exhaustive scientific studies related to the oxidation of iron in steam, the relationship with the activation energy of the corrosive process, thermodynamic aspects, and the kinetic model of a heterogeneous reaction. Additionally, it presents various mechanisms of high-temperature oxidation, pH effects, reactors, and materials (including fluidized beds). This scientific review suggests that hydrogen production via a thermochemical cycle is more efficient than production via electrochemical processes (such as electrolysis), provided the limitations of the cycle’s reduction stage can be overcome. Full article
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