Ferroalloy Minerals Processing and Technology, 2nd Edition

Dear Colleagues,

An increase in the demand and supply of different metals in recent times is alarming for the efficient processing of various ferroalloy minerals. Ferroalloys are broadly referred to as alloys of iron with one or more other elements added to steel melts to achieve the distinctive properties and qualities of steel. Generally, they are produced in large quantities, referred to as bulk, and include ferrochromium, ferrochromium–silicon, ferromanganese, ferrosilicon, silicomanganese, ferromanganese, etc. There are also special or noble ferroalloys, which are similarly produced in smaller quantities and include ferroboron, ferromolybdenum, ferronickel, ferroniobium, ferrophosphorus, ferrotitanium, ferrotungsten, ferrovanadium, etc.

The ferroalloy production process involves a total value chain starting with the mining of raw materials, beneficiation to discard the gangue minerals, and extractive metallurgy (including pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and electrometallurgy). Ferroalloy production is a cost- and energy-intensive sector that needs special focus. In addition, the mining and mineral industry of these ferroalloy minerals has changed significantly over recent years due to the handling of lower-tenor complex ores, adversely impacting the energy use as well as the carbon footprint. Further, the current need for special metals challenges the efficient scientific process in all sectors of ferroalloy production.

Therefore, the adoption of efficient and cost-effective technology for the production of ferroalloys is a rigorous task to meet future demands in terms of lowering CO2 emissions along with protecting the environment by incorporating innovative and sustainable processes. A special focus is also required to address the attempts at decarbonization in the ferroalloy manufacturing process (the ore-to-metal value chain). With this, a Special Issue on “Ferroalloy Mineral Processing and Technology” is proposed to be published in the esteemed journal Minerals.

This Special Issue will identify the latest technology and developments for the new, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, innovative, and sustainable mining and processing of ferroalloy minerals, as well as the extraction of alloys/metals. Minerals invites papers on various aspects of ferroalloy mineral processing and technology, including, but not limited to, the following:

• Advanced characterization of minerals, ferroalloys/metals, and slag, which includes special techniques for analysis, geo-metallurgy, the development of prediction tools, etc.
• The mining and beneficiation of minerals associated with the ferroalloy industry, which include advanced separation methods, dry processing, digital mine planning, etc.
• Energy-efficient pyrometallurgical processes, including pre-treatment methods, alternative energy sources, and new technologies and processes to address CO₂ emissions.
• Decarbonization studies in the ferroalloy manufacturing value chain.
• Novel hydrometallurgy and electrometallurgy processes for the production of different alloys as well as metals.
• Waste-heat recovery, zero-effluent discharge, and solid-waste utilization approaches towards sustainability in the ferroalloy industry.
• Process modeling along the production route of ferroalloys.

Dr. Sunil Kumar Tripathy
Dr. Chenna Rao Borra
Dr. Moritz Eickhoff
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.