On utilization of concentration tailings of non-ferrous metal ores

Abstract

One of the issues of non-ferrous metallurgy is the high losses of metals during concentration as part of complex processing of the ores. The mineral resource base of non-ferrous metals in Russia is affected by the shortcomings of certain concentration processes that have a negative impact on the efficiency of commodity production. Human-generated wastes of non-ferrous metallurgy industries often form reserves that are comparable to the natural deposits of primary ores. In addition to the economic losses from incomplete metal recovery, dumping of mining waste creates environmental problems. Current Russian technologies fail to ensure waste-free concentration processes. Upgrading of the concentration processes is done through introduction of hydro-metallurgical treatment operations, which results in changes of the mineral properties that leads to better ore liberation and enhanced metal recovery. It is also possible to increase the metal recovery by boosting the activity of minerals through their treatment with surfactants. The efficiency of mechanochemical activation of the leaching processes has been discussed in the leading Russian and foreign scientific journals and magazines, and is being further developed in research activities on the subject. The technology performance is improved when traditional technologies are combined with new wastefree hydrometallurgical processes through introduction of disintegrator-type activators into the process flow.