Metal leaching from ore dressing tailings

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.

1. Golik V.I., Lyashenko V.I. New technologies and technical means for utilization of ore dressing tailings. In: KAZANTIP-ECO-2016. Innovative Ways to solve Urgent Problems of Basic Industries, Ecology, Energy and Resource Saving: Transactions of the XXIV Int. Sci.-Pract. Conf., June 6-10, 2016, Kharkiv. Kharkiv: UkrNTTs Ener­gostal', 2016, рр. 284–297. (In Russ.).

2. Sinclair L., Thompson J. In situ leaching of copper: Challenges and future prospects. Hydrometallurgy. 2015, vol. 157, рр. 306–324. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2015.08.022

3. Valiev N.G., Propp V.D., Vandyshev A.M. The 100th Anniversary of the UGSU Chair of Mining. Izvestiya vuzov. Gornyi zhurnal. 2020, no. 8, рр. 130–143. (In Russ.).

4. Golik V.I., Dmitrak Yu.V., Razorenov Yu.I., Maslennikov S.A., Lyashenko V.I. Mechanochemical technology of iron extraction from enrichment tailings. Izvestiya. Ferrous Metallurgy. 2021, vol.  64, no. 4, рр. 282-291. (In Russ.). https://doi.org/10.17073/0368-0797-2021-4-282-291

5. Doifode S.K., Matani A.G. Effective industrial waste utilization technologies towards cleaner environment. International Journal of Chemical and Physical Sciences. 2015, vol. 4, рр. 536–540.

6. Klyuev R.V., Bosikov I.I., Maier A. V., Gavrina O.A. Comprehensive analysis of the use of effective technologies to improve the sustainable development of natural- technical system. Ustoichivoe razvitie gornykh territorii. 2020, no. 2, рр. 283–290. (In Russ.).

7. De Oliveira D.M., Sobral L.G.S., Olson G.J., Olson S.B. Acid leaching of a copper ore by sulphur-oxidizing microorganisms. Hydro­metallurgy. 2014, vol. 147–148, рр. 223–227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2014.05.019

8. Golik V.I. To the problem of environmental protection of the Russian Donbass. Bezopasnost’ truda v promyshlennosti. 2022, no. 2, рр. 32–38. (In Russ.).

9. Polovov B.D., Valiev N.G., Kokarev K.V. Features of simulation analysis of geomechanical risk levels in mines. Gornyi zhurnal. 2016, no. 12, рр. 8–10. https://doi.org/10.17580/gzh.2016.12.02

10. Hu Z., Wang P., Li J. Ecological restoration of abandoned mine land in China. Journal of Resources and Ecology. 2012, vol. 3, no. 4, рр.  289–296. https://doi.org/10.5814/j.issn.1674-764x.2012.04.001

11. Karimi N.S., Atashpanjeh A., Mollaei F.M.R. Design considerations of heap leaching at Sarcheshmeh copper open pit mine. In: 17th Int. Mining Congress and Exhibition of Turkey — IMCET 2001. 2001, рр. 513–516.

12. Eremeeva Zh.V., Sharipzyanova G.Kh. Composition of diffusion layers and the effect of activator type on structure of powder materials obtained during diffusion chromosilication. Tekhnologiya metallov. 2007, no. 7, рр. 35–37. (In Russ.).

13. Randolf E., Miller Sh., Miller G. Minimizing acid consumption in mixed oxide/supergene and sulfide heap leach. In: Proceedings of the 3rd Int. Conf. on Heap Leach Solution. Lima. 2015, рр. 36–44.

14. Haverkamp R.G., Kruger D., Rajashekar R. The digestion of New Zealand ilmenite by hydrochloric acid. Hydrometallurgy. 2016, vol.  163, рр. 198–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2016.04.015

15. Petrov Yu.S., Khadzaragova E.A., Sokolov A.A., Sharipzyano­va  G.Kh., Taskin A.V. Acquisition, transmission and storage of information on production-induced cycle in mining and metallurgy: Outlines. Mining Informational and Analytical Bulletin. 2020, no.  11–1, рр. 178–188. (In Russ.). http://doi.org/10.25018/0236-1493-2020-111-0-178-188

16. Vrancken C., Longhurst P.J., Wagland S.T. Critical review of real-time methods for solid waste characterisation: Informing material recovery and fuel production. Waste Management. 2017, vol. 61, рр.  40–57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2017.01.019

17. Golik V.I., Razorenov Yu.I., Puzin V.S., Stas’ G.V. Differentiated assessment of the stability of rock outcrops in a sub-store-chamber processing system with an attel. Fiziko-tekhnicheskie problemy razrabotki poleznykh iskopaemykh. 2021, no. 5, рр. 85–93. (In Russ.).

18. Wang H., He Y., Duan C., Zhao Y., Tao Y., Ye C. Development of mineral processing engineering education in China University of Mining and Technology. Advances in Intelligent and Soft Computing. 2012, vol. 141 AISC, pp. 77–83. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27948-5_11