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Minerals
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Minerals in Mine Wastes: Contributions to the Circular Economy
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Minerals in Mine Wastes: Contributions to the Circular Economy

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2017) | Viewed by 44238

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Glen Corder

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Sustainable Minerals Institute (SMI), The University of Queensland, Level 4, Sir James Foots Building (No. 47A), Corner of College Rd and Staff House Rd , St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia
Interests: sustainability; mining; minerals; industrial ecology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,
This Special Issue will concentrate on how the mining industry can make substantive contributions to the circular economy through re-thinking mine waste at present, and in the future. The growing volumes of mine waste—that is waste rock, overburden, tailings, and slag—at both existing operations and at legacy mine sites can account for large liabilities and can create environmental impacts that can affect land, the atmosphere, and water, sometimes in perpetuity. Current systems for managing this waste are based on linear economy thinking (‘take-make-waste’) where it is viewed as a necessary expense and large-scale disposal is the preferred option. Utilizing the restorative and regenerative thinking embedded in the circular economy concepts will help re-cast the views of industry and society on mine waste. Topics, such as novel recovery technologies, innovative environmental advances, new by-product value chains, moving towards zero footprint and transformational changes in reducing liability from mining operations and associated waste streams, will be considered for this Special Issue. The aim of this Special Issue is to showcase leading and emerging research, practice and approaches for re-using, recycling and managing mine waste through the aspirations of the circular economy.

Dr. Glen Corder
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Minerals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • mine waste
  • circular economy
  • recycling
  • remediation
  • extraction, tailings
  • waste rock
  • overburden
  • mine water
  • slag

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 6275 KiB  
Article
Recovery and Purification of Tin from Tailings from the Penouta Sn–Ta–Nb Deposit
by Félix Antonio López, Irene García-Díaz, Olga Rodríguez Largo, Francisco García Polonio and Teresa Llorens
Minerals 2018, 8(1), 20; https://doi.org/10.3390/min8010020 - 12 Jan 2018
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 10556
Abstract
A concentrate obtained from mining tailings containing mainly cassiterite and columbotantalite was reduced for the production of tin metal. The compounds CaCO3, Na2CO3, K2CO3, and borax were used as fluxes in the pyrometallurgical [...] Read more.
A concentrate obtained from mining tailings containing mainly cassiterite and columbotantalite was reduced for the production of tin metal. The compounds CaCO3, Na2CO3, K2CO3, and borax were used as fluxes in the pyrometallurgical reduction smelting process, and graphite was employed as the reducing agent. The greatest recovery of Sn (>95%) was obtained when using CaCO3 as the flux; the purity of Sn was 96%. A slag equivalent to 25% of the mass of the initial concentrate was produced during the recovery of the Sn. This contained 45% Nb2O5 and Ta2O5, adding extra value to the mine tailings. The tin metal ingot was purified by electrorefining involving a tin and H2SO4 electrolyte solution and a 101.9 A/m2 current applied for 148 h. Under these conditions, 90 wt % of the Sn in the ingot was recovered at a purity of 99.97%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Minerals in Mine Wastes: Contributions to the Circular Economy)
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10006 KiB  
Article
Use of Cemented Super-Fine Unclassified Tailings Backfill for Control of Subsidence
by Lei Yang, Jingping Qiu, Haiqiang Jiang, Shiqiang Hu, Hao Li and Songbo Li
Minerals 2017, 7(11), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7110216 - 9 Nov 2017
Cited by 60 | Viewed by 6420
Abstract
Known for its advantages in preventing geological and environmental hazards, cemented paste backfill (CPB) has become a topic of interest for scientists and mining engineers in recent decades. This paper presents the results of a study on the use of cemented super-fine tailings [...] Read more.
Known for its advantages in preventing geological and environmental hazards, cemented paste backfill (CPB) has become a topic of interest for scientists and mining engineers in recent decades. This paper presents the results of a study on the use of cemented super-fine tailings backfill (CSUTB) in an underground mine for control of surface subsidence. An analytical solution is developed based on the available model to calculate the required strength of backfill when in contact with non-cemented tailings (NCT). The effect of solid contents on the rheological properties of CSUTB is investigated. A reasonable mix proportion (RMP) of CSUTB is determined for Zhongguan Iron Mine (ZGIM) based on laboratory experiments. The validity of RMP in surface subsidence control is verified by a 3D numerical model. The obtained results show that CSUTB requires higher strength when in contact with NCT than when in contact with orebody. Rheological characteristics, e.g., slump, fluidity, and bleeding rate of fresh CSUTB, decrease with higher solids content, of which values with a certain solids content can be determined by quadratic polynomial regression equations. RMP with a cement to tailings (c/t) ratio of 1:10 and a solids content of 70% is recommended for ZGIM, as it shows favorable mechanical and rheological abilities. The deformation parameters (curvature, inclination, and horizontal deformation rate) obtained from numerical modeling are acceptable and lower than critical values, meaning CSUTB can feasibly be used with RMP in subsidence control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Minerals in Mine Wastes: Contributions to the Circular Economy)
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10842 KiB  
Article
CFD Simulation of Pipeline Transport Properties of Mine Tailings Three-Phase Foam Slurry Backfill
by Xin Chen, Jian Zhou, Qiusong Chen, Xiuzhi Shi and Yonggang Gou
Minerals 2017, 7(8), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7080149 - 17 Aug 2017
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 5178
Abstract
A three-dimensional backfill pipeline transport model is developed using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique, which is applied to study the pipeline transport properties of three-phase foam slurry backfill (TFSB). Based on rheological property tests and CFD simulations, the foam phase, pressure, and [...] Read more.
A three-dimensional backfill pipeline transport model is developed using the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique, which is applied to study the pipeline transport properties of three-phase foam slurry backfill (TFSB). Based on rheological property tests and CFD simulations, the foam phase, pressure, and velocity in the pipeline system are investigated using the CFD mixture method for different bubble volume fractions and bubble diameters. The simulation results indicate that TFSB can maintain a steady state during pipeline transport, experience a markedly reduced pipeline transport resistance, and exhibit better liquidity than conventional cement slurry. Furthermore, as the bubble volume fraction increases, the resistance of the pipeline decreases and the fluidity improves. By contrast, the bubble diameter has little effect on the transport properties of TFSB. The combined results of CFD simulations, slump tests, and strength tests indicate that, when the bubble volume fraction is 15–20 vol %, TFSB can satisfy the necessary strength requirements and exhibit self-flowing transport. The CFD technique provides an intuitive and accurate basis for pipeline transport research and has the potential for wider application in studies of mine backfill. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Minerals in Mine Wastes: Contributions to the Circular Economy)
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2199 KiB  
Article
Sustainable Reuse of Mine Tailings and Waste Rock as Water-Balance Covers
by Mohammad H. Gorakhki and Christopher A. Bareither
Minerals 2017, 7(7), 128; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7070128 - 24 Jul 2017
Cited by 39 | Viewed by 7875
Abstract
The focus of this study was to evaluate the potential reuse of mixed mine tailings and waste rock in water-balance covers (WBCs). Reuse of mine waste in geoengineering applications can provide an economic advantage via offsetting raw material requirements and reducing waste volumes [...] Read more.
The focus of this study was to evaluate the potential reuse of mixed mine tailings and waste rock in water-balance covers (WBCs). Reuse of mine waste in geoengineering applications can provide an economic advantage via offsetting raw material requirements and reducing waste volumes to manage. Water-balance covers are designed to minimize percolation and/or oxygen ingress into underlying waste via moisture retention while also providing resistance against slope failure and erosion of cover materials. Water-balance simulations were conducted using a variably-saturated one-dimensional numerical model to assess hydrologic behavior of an actual WBC as well as hypothetical mixed mine waste WBCs. The actual water balance cover included a 1.22-m-thick silty-sand storage layer and a 0.15-m-thick topsoil layer. Three scenarios were evaluated via hydrologic modeling that focused on replacing the actual storage layer with a layer of mine waste: (1) storage layers were simulated as 1.22-m-thick layers of pure mine tailings (i.e., copper, gold, coal, and oil sand tailings); (2) storage layers were simulated as 1.22-m-thick layers of mixed mine tailings and waste rock; and (3) mixed mine tailings and waste rock storage layer thicknesses were redesigned to yield comparable percolation rates as the actual cover. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Minerals in Mine Wastes: Contributions to the Circular Economy)
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3759 KiB  
Article
Feasibility of Recycling Ultrafine Leaching Residue by Backfill: Experimental and CFD Approaches
by Xin Chen, Xiuzhi Shi, Jian Zhou, Qiusong Chen and Chao Yang
Minerals 2017, 7(4), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7040054 - 5 Apr 2017
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 4210
Abstract
Large amounts of leaching residue are released into tailings dams from mines, and their acid content can cause environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to research the feasibility and value of a leaching residue backfill recycling method. The combination of property [...] Read more.
Large amounts of leaching residue are released into tailings dams from mines, and their acid content can cause environmental pollution. The aim of this study was to research the feasibility and value of a leaching residue backfill recycling method. The combination of property detection, laboratory tests (the neutralization method, strength test and diffusivity test) and numerical simulation methods (3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of pipeline transportation properties) were used to assess the performance of the leaching residue backfill. The results show that backfill body with the cement:sand mass ratio of 1:3, the leaching residue:classified tailings ratio of 1:6, and slurry mass concentration of 71 wt % can meet the strength and pipeline self-flowing transportation requirements of mine backfill. The leaching residue is a good backfill aggregate, and its recovery ratio can reach 19.5 wt %. In addition, the recycling of leaching residue effectively alleviates the problem of mine waste emissions and protects the ecological environment surrounding the mining area. This study serves as a guide for the recycling of fine tailings and the environmental governance of the mining area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Minerals in Mine Wastes: Contributions to the Circular Economy)
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4372 KiB  
Article
A New Procedure for Deep Sea Mining Tailings Disposal
by Wenbin Ma, Dingena Schott and Gabriël Lodewijks
Minerals 2017, 7(4), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/min7040047 - 23 Mar 2017
Cited by 23 | Viewed by 8954
Abstract
Deep sea mining tailings disposal is a new environmental challenge related to water pollution, mineral crust waste handling, and ocean biology. The objective of this paper is to propose a new tailings disposal procedure for the deep sea mining industry. Through comparisons of [...] Read more.
Deep sea mining tailings disposal is a new environmental challenge related to water pollution, mineral crust waste handling, and ocean biology. The objective of this paper is to propose a new tailings disposal procedure for the deep sea mining industry. Through comparisons of the tailings disposal methods which exist in on-land mining and the coastal mining fields, a new tailings disposal procedure, i.e., the submarine–backfill–dam–reuse (SBDR) tailings disposal procedure, is proposed. It combines deep sea submarine tailings disposal, backfill disposal, tailings dam disposal, and tailings reuse disposal for the deep sea mining industry. Then, the analytic network process (ANP) method is utilized to evaluate the performances of different tailings disposal methods. The evaluation results of the ANP show that the new proposed tailings disposal procedure is the most suitable for the deep sea mining industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Minerals in Mine Wastes: Contributions to the Circular Economy)
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