Selected Papers from the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2024 | Viewed by 2564

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: flotation of oxide minerals; mineral crystal chemistry; flotation reagent molecular design; mineral/reagent/water interfacial science; waste treatment in minerals processing
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Guest Editor
School of Mining and Coal Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, China
Interests: mineral processing of rare earth and niobium ores; gold beneficiation and leaching; industrial solid waste recycling
School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: flotation reagent molecular design; synthetic methodology; sulphide flotation; soil remediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: grinding pulp chemistry; surface chemistry; high-efficiency comminution technologies; flotation of sulfide minerals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Interests: flotation reagent design; surface and coordination chemistry in flotation; molecular dynamics; artificial intelligence in chemistry

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global mineral processing community continues to navigate significant challenges, including technological advancements, environmental sustainability, and economic feasibility. Historically, our community has effectively addressed these challenges, contributing to the clean and efficient utilization of mineral resources.

We are pleased to announce that the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing will be held in Harbin, China, from 16 to 18 August 2024. This conference serves as a vital platform for sharing the latest developments, innovations, and research in the field of mineral processing, both within China and globally.

In conjunction with this esteemed event, we are launching a Special Issue in the journal Minerals to publish selected high-quality papers presented at the conference. This Special Issue aims to collect diverse and impactful research papers, short communications, and review articles that address a wide range of topics pertinent to mineral processing.

We invite you to attend the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing and to contribute to this Special Issue. Your participation will significantly enhance the discourse and development of the mineral processing field.

Prof. Dr. Zhiyong Gao
Prof. Dr. Zhao Cao
Dr. Jian Cao
Dr. Shihong Xu
Dr. Zhitao Feng
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • advances in mineral processing technology
  • sustainable and environmentally friendly processing methods
  • economic analysis and feasibility studies
  • innovative research methodologies
  • case studies and practical applications
  • policy and regulatory impacts on mineral processing

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 4933 KiB  
Article
Mineral Liberation and Concentration Characteristics of Apatite Comminuted by High-Pressure GRU
by Yongbo Fan, Genghao Zhang, Shihai Li, Li Zhang, Jianqiang Guo and Chun Feng
Minerals 2024, 14(11), 1148; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14111148 - 13 Nov 2024
Viewed by 358
Abstract
Mineral liberation and concentration have always been the core issues in ore processing. The goal of multi-stage crushing and ball milling is liberation because mineral liberation is the foundation of beneficiation. High energy consumption and environmental pollution have always been unavoidable topics. We [...] Read more.
Mineral liberation and concentration have always been the core issues in ore processing. The goal of multi-stage crushing and ball milling is liberation because mineral liberation is the foundation of beneficiation. High energy consumption and environmental pollution have always been unavoidable topics. We put forward the method of high-pressure gas rapid unloading (GRU). Particle size followed MR-R distribution. The scanning electron microscopy data showed that the liberation of apatite particles smaller than 4 mm was sufficient by high-pressure GRU methods, and high-grade apatite concentrated in the particle size range of 0.5 to 4 mm. The average grade of the preferred particle size interval was 3%–5% higher than the original ore. Liberation degrees of apatite less than 4 mm are above 88%, which was beneficial for mineral processing. Compared to the traditional crushing method, the GRU method had a higher liberation and concentration in the particle size range of 0.5 to 4 mm. The total energy consumption was about 1.76 kW·h/t, less than that of the traditional crushing method. Full article
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15 pages, 3180 KiB  
Article
Influence of Particle Size on Flotation Separation of Ilmenite and Forsterite
by Senpeng Zhang, Yaohui Yang, Donghui Wang, Weiping Yan and Weishi Li
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 1041; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14101041 - 17 Oct 2024
Viewed by 547
Abstract
In addition to bubble–particle interaction, particle–particle interaction also has a significant influence on mineral flotation. Fine particles that coat the mineral surface prevent direct contact with collectors and/or air bubbles, thereby lowering flotation recovery. Calculating the particle interaction energy can help in evaluating [...] Read more.
In addition to bubble–particle interaction, particle–particle interaction also has a significant influence on mineral flotation. Fine particles that coat the mineral surface prevent direct contact with collectors and/or air bubbles, thereby lowering flotation recovery. Calculating the particle interaction energy can help in evaluating the interaction behavior of particles. In this study, the floatability of coarse ilmenite (−151 + 74 μm) and different particle sizes (−45 + 25, −25 + 19, −19 μm) of forsterite with NaOL as a collector was investigated. The results showed that forsterite sizes of −45 + 25 and −25 + 19 μm had no effect on the ilmenite floatability, whereas −19 μm forsterite significantly reduced ilmenite floatability. A particle size analysis of artificially mixed minerals and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the flotation products showed that heterogeneous aggregation occurred between ilmenite and −19 μm forsterite particles. The extended DLVO (Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek) theory was applied to calculate the interaction energy between mineral particles using data from zeta potential and contact angle measurements. The results showed that the interaction barriers between ilmenite (−151 + 74 μm) and forsterite (−45 + 25, −25 + 19, and −19 μm) were 11.94 × 103 kT, 8.23 × 103 kT and 4.09 × 103 kT, respectively. Additionally, the interaction barrier between forsterite particles smaller than 19 μm was 0.51 × 103 kT. The strength of the barrier decreased as the size of the forsterite decreased. Therefore, fine forsterite particles and aggregated forsterite can easily overcome the energy barrier, coating the ilmenite particle surface. This explains the effect of different forsterite sizes on the floatability of ilmenite and the underlying mechanism of particle interaction. Full article
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17 pages, 18056 KiB  
Article
New Insights into the Depressive Mechanism of Sodium Silicate on Bastnaesite, Parisite, and Fluorite: Experimental and DFT Study
by Jieliang Wang, Wenda Lu, Zhao Cao, Xu Wu, Peng Wang, Xiaoping Wang and Wenli Liu
Minerals 2024, 14(9), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14090870 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 590
Abstract
The surface properties of bastnaesite and parisite are similar to their associated gangue mineral, fluorite, which makes the flotation separation of these two rare earth minerals from fluorite one of the industry’s most significant challenges. This study systematically investigates the inhibitory effects and [...] Read more.
The surface properties of bastnaesite and parisite are similar to their associated gangue mineral, fluorite, which makes the flotation separation of these two rare earth minerals from fluorite one of the industry’s most significant challenges. This study systematically investigates the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of sodium silicate (SS) on bastnaesite, parisite, and fluorite in an octyl hydroxamic acid (OHA) collector system through flotation experiments, various modern analytical methods, and DFT simulations. The flotation test results indicate that the inhibition effects of SS on the three minerals are in the order: fluorite > parisite > bastnaesite. Detection and analysis results indicate that SS forms hydrophilic complexes with Ca atoms on the surfaces of fluorite and parisite, enhancing surface hydrophilicity and inhibiting OHA adsorption, but its impact on bastnaesite is relatively minor. DFT simulation results show that OHA forms covalent bonds with metal ions on mineral surfaces, favoring five-membered hydroxamic-(O-O)-Ce/Ca complexes, and reacts more strongly with Ce atoms than Ca atoms. SS primarily forms covalent bonds with metal atoms on mineral surfaces via the SiO(OH)3 component, and OHA and SS compete for adsorption on the mineral surfaces. OHA has a stronger affinity for bastnaesite, whereas SS shows the highest affinity for fluorite, followed by parisite, and the weakest affinity for bastnaesite. Full article
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Review

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20 pages, 6163 KiB  
Review
Review on the Challenges of Magnesium Removal in Nickel Sulfide Ore Flotation and Advances in Serpentinite Depressor
by Fengxiang Yin, Chengxu Zhang, Yao Yu, Chenyang Lv, Zhengbo Gao, Bingang Lu, Xiaohui Su, Chunhua Luo, Xiangan Peng, Belinda McFadzean and Jian Cao
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14100965 - 25 Sep 2024
Viewed by 613
Abstract
Nickel is an important raw metal material in industry, which has been identified as a strategic mineral resource by the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources. Nickel sulfide ore accounts for 40% of all nickel ores worldwide. However, magnesium silicate gangue minerals in [...] Read more.
Nickel is an important raw metal material in industry, which has been identified as a strategic mineral resource by the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources. Nickel sulfide ore accounts for 40% of all nickel ores worldwide. However, magnesium silicate gangue minerals in sulfide nickel ores, particularly serpentine, pose significant challenges to the flotation of nickel sulfide ores. The presence of magnesium silicate gangue leads to a series of issues, including increased energy consumption in subsequent smelting processes, accelerated equipment wastage, and increased SO2 emissions, which severely impact the comprehensive utilization of nickel resources in sulfide nickel ores. In this regard, flotation depressants are the most direct and effective method to reduce adverse influences caused by magnesium silicate gangue in the flotation of nickel sulfide ore concentrate. Based on the characteristics of the typical magnesium-containing nickel sulfide ore, this review illustrates the difficulties of the depression of magnesium silicate gangue during the flotation of nickel sulfide ore and gives an overview of the common depressants from six aspects (chelation depressants, dispersion depressants, flocculation depressants, depressants for grinding, depressants for slurry adjustment and combination depressants). Each section summarizes the relevant depression mechanisms and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of various reagents, providing a reference for designing depressants specifically targeting serpentine. Full article
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