Metal leaching from ore dressing tailings

Abstract

The problem of depletion of available mineral resources is identified and the reasons for its actualization are characterized due to incomplete extraction of metals from mined ores. It is noted that the strategy of the mining industry may be the use of unconventional technologies of metal extraction within the framework of combining traditional technologies with innovative leaching ones. It is proved that utilization of enrichment tailings, formation of the processes algorithm and engineering forecast of the prospects of the new technology are the real directions of mining production development. The paper considers a method of experimental substantiation of the possibility of waste-free utilization of ferruginous quartzite dressing tailings from the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly. The planning matrices and the results of comparing the technologies of traditional leaching of dressing tailings in conditioners and leaching in a high-speed disintegrator mill are presented with regression analysis of experimental data and graphical interpretation. A reference is given on the processes of mechanical activation, as a real opportunity to improve the indicators of  the processing metal-containing raw materials, including involving dressing tailings in production. The experimental results obtained can be used in hydrometallurgical processes, including leaching of metals from dressing tailings, increasing the extraction of metals with a higher content. The  paper considers the data on the metals content in secondary tailings after leaching in a disintegrator with mechanochemical processes activation. The directions of improvement of preparation of metal-containing raw materials for leaching in conditioners – disintegrators are indicated. The economic efficiency of waste-free disposal of dressing tailings is composed of the cost of extracted metals, raw materials for related industries and reducing environmental damage from the storage of toxic tailings of primary processing.