Heavy metals and metalloids (HMMs). Is it possible to “green” utilization of man-made waste?

The contamination of natural ecosystems with heavy metals and metalloids (HMMs) primarily results from anthropogenic activities. Consequently, ongoing efforts are dedicated to the development of technologies aimed at restraining the mobility of HMMs and expediting chemical reactions that convert pollutants from mobile to immobile states. In terms of performance and future potential, the sorbent-oriented approach, grounded in the concept of “green” utilization of man-made waste as a raw material for creating novel composite sorbents, is gaining traction for land reclamation in disturbed areas.
The conducted experiments revealed that sorbents composed of peat/water treatment sludge (at a ratio of 20/80 wt. % with natural moisture content) and peat/diatomite/water treatment sludge (at a ratio of 5/15/80 wt. % with natural moisture content) exhibited the highest level of performance, surpassing an overall efficiency of 89%.

For more information, see the article in the journal of Mining Science and Technology (Russia):

📌 Yurak V.V., Apakashev R.A., Lebzin M.S., Malyshev A.N. Assessment of performance and environmental friendliness of a sorbent-based remediation method for heavy metal and metalloid contaminated soils. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2023;8(4):327-340. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-07-129

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#inenglish #MST #sorbents #reclamation #disturbed_lands #environmental_risks #method #assessment #green_disposal #heavy_metals #heavy_metalloids #biota #toxicity #environmental_damage

How can the efficiency of flotation processing of complex ores be improved?

Flotation beneficiation plays a leading role in the processing most ores. The efficiency of this process is ensured by the correct selection of operating modes, which involves choosing the most selective reagents and determining their optimal consumption. The conducted research, presented in the journal Mining Science and Technology, allowed to find a new methodological approach to the study of ore flotation beneficiation using ionometry methods. The data obtained from ion-selective sensors significantly deepen our insight into the transformations occurring during the flotation process and allow for consideration of possible adverse factors that hinder effective process progression. A universal flowchart for flotation studies with ion-selective sensors has been developed, facilitating the application of this approach to various ores. The implementation of the results from this comparative analysis has led to a 7.8% increase in beneficiation efficiency while reducing reagent consumption. Additionally, the insights gained into the electrochemical processes occurring allowed for assumptions about the adverse factors affecting flotation outcomes. In conclusion, a model for the potential application of this approach at existing enterprises was proposed, including the implementation of an “intelligent assistant” for flotation operators based on the developed electrochemical models.

For more information, see the article:

📌 Yakovleva T.A., Romashev A.O., Mashevsky G.N. Enhancing flotation beneficiation efficiency of complex ores using ionometry methods. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(2):146-157. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-08-145

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#inenglish #MST #flotation #beneficiation #ore #method #ionometry #ion #reagent #experiment #electrode #concentrate #pulp #grinding #modification #selectivity #aeration #sorption #corrosion #depression #kinetics #modeling #optimization #sensor #membrane #xanthate #sulfide #control

We present the articles of the third issue of scientific journal "Mining Science and Technology” (Russia) for 2024:

The paper presents the results of the dependence of wastewater treatment efficiency on the size of filtering material fractions.

For more information, see the article:

📌 Ivanova L.A., Prosekov A.Yu., Ivanov P.P. et al. Assessment of the efficiency of wastewater treatment from coal enterprises for suspended solids using various filtering materials. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(3):263-270. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2024-03-227

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#inenglish #MST #wastewater #coal #suspension #filtration #quartzite #treatment #gravity #sedimentation #fraction #coagulation #sump #regeneration #washing #backwashing #dynamic #quarry #sand #crushedstone #zeolite #sorbent #pump #dam #dust #clay #method #technology #hydraulics

We present the articles of the first issue of scientific journal "Mining Science and Technology” (Russia) for 2025:

Scientists conducting research at the mines of the VVerkhnekamsk potassium-magnesium salt deposit (VPMSD) discovered an interesting pattern: gas-air surveys show that the volume of gaseous impurities in the main ventilation drifts is often significantly lower than in the working areas of dead-end workings. This phenomenon of decreasing gas concentrations along the ventilation airflow path is explained not only by the dilution of impurities due to fresh air leaks but also by the chemical neutralization of gases through interaction with the potash rock mass. Previously conducted laboratory studies confirmed the ability of sylvinite (NaCl + KCl) to absorb toxic and combustible gases. This paper presents the results of field studies at one of the VPMSD mines, where the dynamics of gas impurities in the workings were studied, taking into account both chemical processes and ventilation factors. Specialists measured the concentration of combustible and toxic gases in seams of different mineral compositions and analyzed the influence of potash salt properties on the gas composition in long dead-end workings. Laboratory analysis of the collected air samples, performed by chromatographic method using the "CHROMOS GH-1000" instrument, made it possible to quantitatively assess the contribution of gas neutralization and dilution processes to the reduction of harmful impurity concentrations. The results showed that in long dead-end workings of seam AB (100 m or more), the content of gaseous impurities consistently decreases as the distance from the dead end to the mouth of the working increases. The study also examined other factors influencing changes in the gas composition in mine workings.

For more information, see the article:

📌 Starikov A.N., Maltsev S.V., Sukhanov A.E. Influence of the sorption properties of potash salts on the gas environment in dead-end mine workings. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2025;10(1):25-33. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2024-01-210

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#InEnglish #MST #mine #gas #sorption #leaks #sylvinite #methane #CO #CO2 #H2S #ventilation #shaft #safety #chemistry #science #mining #analysis #experiment #laboratory #air #seam #measurement #point #length #path #jet #face #mouth #volume #harm #risk #standard #method #device #data #result #experience #salt #KCl #NaCl #zone #deadend #tube #speed #pressure #balance #neutralization

🔍 Dry vs wet: unexpected results for Arkachan gold ore

Comparison Methods:
✔️ Dry Processing: Crushing (DKD-300) + Grinding (TsMVU-800) + Pneumatic Separation (POS-2000)
✔️ Wet Processing: Gravity Separation with GRG Test (ITOMAK-0.1)

📊 Key Data:

Gold Distribution:
✔️ 27.35% in -0.2+0.1 mm class;
✔️ 11.75% in -0.1+0.071 mm class;
✔️ 23.46% in -0.071 mm class;
→ Total 62.56% in particles <0.2 mm

Method Efficiency:
✔️ pneumatic Separation: 35.25% recovery at 1.8 t/h;
✔️ GRG Test: 73.91% recovery with grinding to 80% passing 0.071 mm.

GRG Test Results by Stage:
✔️ Stage 1 (-1 mm): 40.20% recovery;
✔️ Stage 2 (-0.315 mm): +14.46%;
✔️ Stage 3 (-0.071 mm): +20.88%.

Conclusions:
1. Dry methods are ineffective for fine-grained gold (<100 µm).
2. Gravity separation requires fine grinding but achieves high recovery.
3. Major losses are due to incomplete liberation of gold in pyrite.

🔗 Full Article:
Matveev А.I., Lebedev I.F., Vinokurov V.R., Lvov E.S. Comparative processing studies of the Arkachan deposit gold-bearing ores using dry separation and classical wet gravity separation methods. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2024;9(2):158-169. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2023-10-168

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💬 What modern methods could improve dry processing for such ores?

#InEnglish #MST #Mining #Gold #Beneficiation #Crusher #Mill #Separator #DryProcessing #ParticleSize #Pyrite #Sample #Ore #Test #Method #Analysis #Stage #Class #Gravity #FineGrained #Particles #Concentrate #Grinding #Efficiency #Crushing #Recovery #Flowchart #Cycle #Fraction #Balance #Parameter #Mode #Degree #Impact #Abrasion #Subsample #Sludge #Pulp #SizeFraction #Feed #Tailings #Losses #Product #Intergrowths

P.S. For ores with fine-grained gold, classical gravity remains optimal. Are there alternatives?