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By Kevin Trumble, David Johnson, Kyungjean Min

The electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) production through electrodeposition from manganese nodules by reduction leaching in H2SO4 medium using sucrose as reductant followed by purification through 2-stage precipitation methods is described. The purified leach liquor was the starting solution for electrodeposition. Influence of in situ addition of a cationic surfactant Cetyltri-methylammonium bromide (CTAB) (0–500 mg dm −3) on the surface morphology and electrochemical properties of the EMD was examined. The XRD patterns of the deposited material were indexed to the c-MnO2 phase. FESEM results demonstrated that in the presence of CTAB uniform nanofibrous type grains were formed. Higher concentration of CTAB in the electrolytic bath however, drastically decreased the current efficiency (CE) and increased the energy consumption (EC) during electrodeposition. Under the optimum CTAB concentration of 100 mg dm −3 the obtained CE and EC values were 87.64% and 1.70 kWh/Kg respectively.

Mar 1, 2018

By Wei-Tong Du, Xiao-Ping Liang, Yu Wang

The structural properties for ternary molten CaO–SiO2–B2O3 system with varying B2O3/SiO2 ratios at a fixed CaO content were calculated by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The simulation results revealed that with the increasing of B2O3/SiO2 mol ratio, the bond length of B-O was approximately constant at 1.35 Å, and the coordination number for B (CNB-O) was observed to vary from 3.40 to 3.51, and the average angle of O-B-O increases from 105° to nearly 120°, implying that the geometric stability of structure is reducing sharply. AlsoQ3 andQ4 tetrahedral species (tetrahedron with three and four bridging oxygens respectively) decrease with the increasing of B2O3/SiO2 mol ratio, and the proportion of (Q3 + Q4) decrease linearly from 0.6 to nearly 0, suggesting that B2O3 may behave as a network-breaking basic oxide in the CaO–SiO2–B2O3 system.

Mar 1, 2017

By S. Niyomwas, T. Chanadee

The influence of flux CaO2–Al ratio on the Self propagating high temperature synthesis (SHS)-casting reaction products in WO3–Si–Al system has been investigated in this study. Incorporation of CaO2–Al amounting to 1–5 wt% of total charge has been found to be adequate to form WSi2 intermetallic with a maximum hard-W5Si3 secondary phase. The micro-hardness of tungsten silicides intermetallic product increased significantly with CaO2–Al ratio. The as-SHS-casting products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) with energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) technique.

Mar 1, 2017

By Jyothi Rajesh Kumar, Jin-Young Lee

21st century is electronic revolution in human lives as well as energy is one of the most significant tasks. Rare earth elements (REEs) occupy a key role in daily life as well as high-tech industrial applications. REEs are one of the energy critical elements; for sustainable growth, it depends on multiple extraction and separation technologies including solvent extraction and ionic liquid-based extraction methods.

Mar 1, 2017

By Ming-Feng Ye, Guang-liang Wu

The investigations on chemical composition, mineral composition, embedded figures, texture and microstructure of chrome ores were conducted systematically byvariousanalysismethodssuch aschemical analysis, XRF, SEM, and MLA 650 system. The results showed that there are 92.66% chromite and a small amount of chlorite and forsterite as the main mineral compositions, the content of quartz is very low. Elements as Cr and Fe are almost all present in chromite. The content of Cr O is 41.84% and Cr O /FeO is 2.1. The main ele- 2 3 2 3 ments in the chromite are Cr, Fe, Mg, Al, O; the main elements in the chlorite are Mg,Al,Si,OandasmallamountofFe;themainelementsintheforsteriteareMg, Si and O. On the basis of clarifying the mineralogical characteristics, to produce high-grade alloy, this ore should not be separately put into the submerged arc furnace without pretreating. However, it also seems to be difficult to separate the gangue compositions by the conventional physical upgrading methods, such as magneticseparationandgravityseparation.So,chemicalmineralprocessingshould be taken into account. (cid:1) (cid:1) (cid:1)

Mar 1, 2018

By Muhammad A. Imam, Ramana G. Reddy

This study provides a reasonable evaluation of the Mg-B binary system. Magnesium and Boron (Mg-B) alloys were investigated to determine their thermodynamic properties employing solid state electrochemical cells based on CaF2 electrolyte represented as –Pt; Ar= MgþCaMgF4 f gCaF2 k kf½Mg B alloy þ CaMgF4 g=Ar; Pt+ Investigations were performed over the temperature range of 773–873 K to measure the electromotive force (EMF), which was used to derive the partial Gibbs Free energies of the alloys in the composition range of XB = 0.07 to 0.95. The activities of Mg were also calculated from partial Gibbs Free energies. The activities of Mg in MgB2, MgB4, and MgB7 were expressed as a function of temperature respectively, ln aMg = 4.27–9.32 × 103/T, ln aMg = −7.54 + 6.67×103/T, and ln aMg = 4.93–19.57 × 103/T, where T is the temperature in K. From this expression, the activity of Mg for these intermediate phases can be extrapolated at a higher temperature to get the accurate phase boundaries for the Mg-B system.

Mar 1, 2017

By Chengyi Ding, Xuewei Lv, Senwei Xuan, Jie Qiu, Yun Chen, Kai Tang

Isothermal reduction kinetics of CF2 by 30% CO and 70% N2 at 1123, 1173 and 1223 K was investigated by TGA in this study. The reduction rate analysis indicated that reduction of CF2 comprises three stages during the whole reduction process, Apparent activation energy of samples CF2 reduction is 34.37 kJ/mol. The ln-ln analysis implied the reduction of CF2 was expressed initially by a 2D subsequently by 3D shrinking layer reaction.

Mar 1, 2017

By Iván Aguirre Palacios, Jean Guiroux Toro, Eduardo Valdés Guerra

Currently, mining operations seek to be competitive in the market. To achieve this, one of the relevant factors is to maintain and improve the productivity of the extractive processes, mainly the loading from the point of opening of the mineral bodies. To do this, many techniques suggest reducing production costs, with the first opening of your free-face up raises. However, there are different ways to carry out these open-face raises up opening processes, where the balance of costs and construction time must be well planned to meet production plans. Operationally, there are different techniques for its construction, the most common being Blind-Hole up Raises and those with drilling with current production equipment that operates mining operations. This study shows a methodology and the results of the implementation of access stack drilling with production drilling rigs for a maximum height of 15 m with electronic detonators in production blasting. Within the methodology used, Qa/Qc processes were considered in cargoes with explosives, instrumentation for monitoring (vibrations), VOD registration, among others. As a result, of a total of 12 raises up blasts, construction time was reduced by 45% and the cost of drilling and blasting (P&V) was reduced by 50%, for up raises with a maximum height of 15 meters. Regarding the efficiency of the heights, this was 97% compared to the planned drilling design.

Jan 26, 2026

By Hector O. Romero, Paulo C. Fernández A, Christian Rees Prado, Claudio C. Gajardo

In open-pit mining, estimating post blasting displacement and spillage accurately is essential to guarantee operational efficiency, ensure alignment with production plans and their associated key performance indicators. The absence of predictive modeling tools on blasting operations results in several critical challenges, including operational reworks due to deviations in material displacement, significant discrepancies between mine and plant (ore grade dilution included), misalignment with the reported production plan, and increased operational costs due to inefficient use of resources. This study, conducted at Los Bronces Mine operated by Angloamerican, Chile, addresses the application of a three-dimensional simulation tool that, through numerical modeling, is capable of predicting post blast rock displacement. The implementation was carried out in a pit phase characterized by blasts near the pit boundaries, with a high risk of material spillage and potential blockage of the only access ramp to the extraction levels. By the integration of key design parameters, such as blast pattern geometry, detonating time, explosive charge distribution and pre and post blast survey, an optimal calibration was achieved and validated in seven blasting events to date, reaching an accuracy greater than 80% in estimating post-blast rock displacement and spillage volumes. Furthermore, this study allowed the evaluation of different pattern alternatives with and without spillage mitigation measures (use of air decks near the free face), obtaining a high correlation and accuracy exceeding 95% in predicting the selected design outcome, supporting optimal design selections. The result highlights the usefulness of the model as a decision-support tool for blasting engineers and short-term planning, by reducing the need for unnecessary operational reworks, improving geological and operational reconciliation, and ensuring the alignment of the extracting plan with production targets. The current average deviation is 15%, with higher deviations observed in blasts with smaller volumes of spill or where the simulated sequence was changed before blasting. The use of this type of three-dimensional numerical modeling represents a significant advancement for blast engineering and the optimization of key performance indicators in open-pit mining operations.

Jan 26, 2026

By Giacobbe Braccio, Alessandro Blasi, Assunta Romanelli, Massimo Morgana, Corradino Sposato

Yttrium is a strategical material for its several usages in a wide range of industrial production. For this reason, improving the recovery of Yttrium has become a crucial focus for international research. In this scientific activity, the utilization of two extractants, 2-ethylhexyl-mono 2-ethylhexyl ester phosphonic acid (P-507) and sec-octylphenoxy acetic acid (CA-12), working in a synergistic extracting system, has been tested. A series of trials have been carried out to optimize the experimental conditions in order to separate yttrium from a mix of heavy rare earths in chloride media. Tests with different relative concentrations of extractants and a phase modifier (TPB, trybutyl phosphate), with different presaponification rate, have been performed to evaluate the behavior of the synergistic system. Results are very promising to recover and separate yttrium with a high purity.

Mar 1, 2017

By Shusen Cheng, Dongdong Zhou, Yongqiang Bai

The strength of sinter could affect the permeability and CO gas utilization of blast furnace, and one of the main impacted factors of sinter strength is crack. With the widely use of vanadium-titanium sinter in China, the blast conditions of some blast furnaces became worse since the vanadium-titanium sinter has been added. However, there have little public research for this phenomenon. In this paper, the influence of titanium content on the sinter ore phase structure and crack were studied by DMRX polarizing microscope. In addition, the influence of basicity and oversintering on the sinter ore phase structure were also investigated. The observed results of vanadium-titanium sinter were compared with typical sinter in China, and the influence law of titanium content on the sinter ore crack was obtained.

Mar 1, 2017

By Yu-ki Taninouchi, Toru H. Okabe

Among platinum group metals (PGMs), Pt, Pd, and Rh are the essential constituents of automotive catalysts. Recovery of PGMs from catalyst scrap is important, but it is difficult because PGMs are chemically stable and are present as minor components in the scrap. A vapor treatment method using FeCl2 vapor to alloy PGMs with iron, enabling subsequent magnetic separation, is developed and tested on Pt, Pd, and Rh wires.

Mar 1, 2017

By Pan Gu, Zhen Zhang, Wen-Feng Tan, Jiang Diao, Bing Xie, Wang Zhou

In order to recover the chromium resource in chromium-containing vanadium extraction residue, a promising method is to prepare ferrochromium with the residue. The synthetic residue has been reduced under 1300, 1350 and 1400 °C at the reduction time of 1, 2 and 3 h respectively. The reduced samples have been smelted and separated by an induction furnace. The contents of chromium and iron in metallic phase have been determined by an inductively-coupled plasma spectrometer. The results indicate that chromium iron carbide (Cr, Fe)3C7 is the intermediate phase and titanium oxides have been reduced during the reduction process. While the sample has been reduced under 1400 °C for 3 h, metallic phase becomes the dominate phase and reduction reactions almost complete. Moreover, the chromium content in the metal phase reaches 10.19%.

Mar 1, 2017

By Ruixuan Zhang, Yan Li, Shusen Cheng

The measurement of raceway temperature in the blast furnace is a critical issue, which is very significant for judgment of, prediction and diagnosis of the racewa yburning state. This paper deals with mathematical models by Monte Carlo method to approximately simulate the radiation heat transfer in the race-way and establish matrix equations using CCD cameras, which are solved to obtain the three-dimensional temperature field. Due to the existence of fluctuation error, CCD camera measurement error and others,this is analyzed and random error is added in the measurement data to demonstrate the effectiveness and stability of the reconstructed temperature field. The results show that the reconstructed three-dimensional temperature field of the raceway is very close to the exact temperature.

Mar 1, 2017

By Jorge Alberto Soares Tenório, Denise Crocce Romano Espinosa, Solange Kazue Utimura, Amilton Barbosa Botelho, Carlos Gonzalo Alvarez Rosario

In this study, the recycling of waste materials is interesting in the environmental aspect to reduce the amount of waste in land fill and attenuate the pollution of groundwater, air and soil due to the liberation of dangerous elements. Recycling materials is an important issue once it represents a potential source of valuable metals. Waste printed wired boards (PWBs) as a principal part of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and it is a fast growing stream with complex composition. The composite materials from PWBs are ceramic, polymers and metals. Biohydrometallurgical route may offer possibilities to recycle PWBs from discarded computers with the order to recover copper. The extraction of copper from PWBs by bioleaching processeswas studied using a mixed culture of acidophilic bacteria fromacid mine drainage (AMD) and the bacteria Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans). The bioleaching experiments were performed in shaker flasks at temperature 30 °C and 170 rpmwith 10% (v/v) inoculum and pulp density of 35 g/L. Themetals concentration was determined by energy dispersiveX-ray Fluorescence (XRF). The results showed that the maximum copper recovery from PWBs using A. ferrooxidans was approximately 89% and with a mixed culture of bacteria from AMD the copper recovery was 92%.

Mar 1, 2017

By Jun Li, Lingling Zhang, Daqiang Cang, Guizhou Zhao

Pilot trial of direct modification of molten blast furnace slag and production of high acidity coefficient slag wool fibers were investigated nearby a blast furnace. Molten blast furnace slag discharged from blast furnace and then directly flow into specialized modification furnace and quartz was simultaneously added into the molten slag as modification agent. The modified molten slag was electric heated to 1500–1550 °C and then the melt was produced into slag wool fibers through high-speed centrifugation method. Melt with acidity coefficient of 1.2, 1.4, 1.6 and 1.8 were investigated and fibers with corresponding acidity coefficient were produced. Slag wool fibers with shot content of 5.5, 5.8, 6.2, 6.8% and average diameter of 4.5, 4.9, 5.6, 6.4 lm for four samples were successfully produced, respectively. Total energy consumption and production costs decreased by 50–70% compared to traditional cupola furnace method. This method provides an energy-saving and emission-reduction technology for the direct utilization of molten blast furnace slag.

Mar 1, 2018

By Onur Golbası, Berk Gokce

Investment decisions in the mining industry are complicated by sector-specific uncertainties. This study presents a multi-submodule system dynamics model to capture the dynamic complexities of decision-making across mineral property development stages. The model includes five interconnected subsystems: valuation, production, growth strategy, demand, and finance. Developed through system decomposition, expert input, and literature, the model is tested on a hypothetical copper mine with 850 ktpa capacity and 1% cu grade. Simulated over five years with quarterly steps, it estimates an enterprise value of $78.9 million and a target growth rate of 11.2%. Results highlight the significant effects of operating costs, capital policies, and inflation on free cash flow, and the critical role of mineral reserves in sustaining growth. This model supports strategic investment analysis across different minerals and development phases, offering mining investors a robust tool for optimizing decisions.

Feb 22, 2026

By Abdallah Khair, Nathalie Risso, Arie Herrera, Victor Tenorio

This study introduces a machine learning strategy to optimize icy regolith extraction from the Shackleton-de Gerlache Ridge using autonomous mining equipment. The model incorporates key parameters—distance, road gradient, vehicle load, speed, recharge logistics, and regolith water content—into a cost framework for excavation, hauling, and dumping. Regression models estimate energy and time requirements; classification predicts terrain navigability; clustering groups craters for efficiency; and K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN) determines optimal routing and scheduling. The system adapts to a six-month daylight cycle to maximize productivity and minimize costs, enabling intelligent planning for sustained lunar resource extraction under extreme environmental and logistical constraints.

Feb 22, 2026

By E. Salinas Rodríguez, I. Rivera Landero, E. G. Palacios Beas, J. Hernández Ávila, E. Cerecedo Sáenz, M. A. Mesinas Romero, M. I. Reyes Valderrama

For this study, a sample of 5 g of copper powders obtained by grinding printed circuit boards of computers fixe to 50 mesh (270 μm) according Tyler® series was used. This sample was wholly characterized by XRD, SEM–EDS and AAS. The leaching medium used wasO2S2O3 2. From the evaluated variables it was obtained an apparent order of the reaction of n = 2.34 s−1, whereas according the effect of partial oxygen pressure it was obtained an apparent order of reaction of n = 0.9516 and the activation energy of system was of 6.5 kJ mol−1, the results so achieved suggest a transport control to the solid–liquid interface. Under certain work conditions such as: S2O3 2 ¼ 0:5M, 500 mL, 750 min−1, P/PO2 = 1 atm, 338 K, 5 g of sample and 9000 s of reaction time, it is possible get up to 97.35% of leached copper.

Mar 1, 2017

By S. N. Monteiro, E. B. Zanelato, J. Alexandre, M. T. Marvila, A. R. G. Azevedo, G. C. Xavier

One of the parameters used in the study of mortars is the adhesion resistance, which indicate show much the mortar adhered to the substrate. The usual study is done at 28 days, to worldwide standardization. Few researchers study the adhesion of mortars to ages other than 28 days. In this scenario, the adhesion strength tests of conventional mortar with a 1:1:6 mass scale (cement, and sand) at 7, 14, 28, 56, 91, 182 and 364 days were performed in order to understand the behavior of this material. The usual characterization tests of the mortars were carried out to correlate the values obtained with the adhesion results. The obtained results demonstrate that the mortar continues to gain resistance with the passage of time. For the trait studied the gain was considerable, indicating that over time the cement continues to hydrate, reacting and contributing to the strength of the material.

Mar 1, 2018