Journal Description
Minerals
Minerals
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal of natural mineral systems, mineral resources, mining, and mineral processing. Minerals is published monthly online by MDPI.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), GeoRef, CaPlus / SciFinder, Inspec, Astrophysics Data System, AGRIS, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q2 (Mining & Mineral Processing) / CiteScore - Q2 (Geology)
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 18.7 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.6 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2023).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
- Companion journal: Mining
Impact Factor:
2.5 (2022);
5-Year Impact Factor:
2.7 (2022)
Latest Articles
Quantification of Feldspar and Quartz Nucleation Delay in a Hydrous Peraluminous Granitic Melt
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 611; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060611 (registering DOI) - 15 Jun 2024
Abstract
A modified model based on classical nucleation theory was applied to a natural hydrous peraluminous pegmatite composition and tested against crystallization experiments in order to further investigate the quantification of nucleation delay in felsic melts. Crystallization experiments were performed in a piston-cylinder apparatus
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A modified model based on classical nucleation theory was applied to a natural hydrous peraluminous pegmatite composition and tested against crystallization experiments in order to further investigate the quantification of nucleation delay in felsic melts. Crystallization experiments were performed in a piston-cylinder apparatus at 630 MPa and temperatures between 650 and 1000 °C for durations ranging from 0.3 to 211 h. Experimental run products were investigated by scanning electron microscopy paired with energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses of both crystalline and quenched liquid phases, the results of which were compared to an established theoretical nucleation delay model from the literature. The experiments showed good agreement (within a factor of 5) with the model for quartz, while it showed moderate agreement (within a factor of 10) with the model for sodic feldspar. Other crystals also nucleated, demonstrating abundant features of disequilibrium. Our research further demonstrates the potential of the model to predict nucleation delay, showing promising results for the quantification of the nucleation delay of quartz and feldspar in natural felsic melts, thus adding to previously published studies on hydrous, metaluminous, felsic melts and dry basaltic melts.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pegmatites as Hosts of Critical Metals: From Petrogenesis to Mineral Exploration)
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Mineralogy and Origin of Vein Wolframite Mineralization from the Pohled Quarry, Havlíčkův Brod Ore District, Czech Republic: Interaction of Magmatic and Basinal Fluids
by
Zdeněk Dolníček, Jana Ulmanová, Luboš Vrtiška, Karel Malý, Michaela Krejčí Kotlánová and Rostislav Koutňák
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 610; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060610 - 14 Jun 2024
Abstract
Mineralogy and formation conditions were studied in a newly found vein wolframite mineralization, cutting migmatitized paragneisses in the exocontact of a small Carboniferous granite body in the Pohled quarry, Moldanubian Zone of the Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic. The early stage of the rich
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Mineralogy and formation conditions were studied in a newly found vein wolframite mineralization, cutting migmatitized paragneisses in the exocontact of a small Carboniferous granite body in the Pohled quarry, Moldanubian Zone of the Bohemian Massif, Czech Republic. The early stage of the rich mineral assemblage (36 mineral species) involves wolframite, columbite-group minerals, molybdenite, and scheelite hosted by quartz–muscovite–chlorite gangue, which was followed by base-metal sulfides in a quartz gangue, whereas the last stage included calcite gangue with fluorite and minor sulfides. The mineral assemblage points to the mobility of usually hardly soluble elements, including W, Sn, Zr, Nb, Th, Ti, Sc, Y, and REEs. A fluid inclusion study indicates a significant decrease in homogenization temperatures from 350–370 °C to less than 100 °C during vein formation. Fluids were aqueous, with a low salinity (0–12 wt. % NaCl eq.) and traces of CO2, N2, CH4, H2, and C2H6. The δ18O values of the fluids giving rise to quartz and scheelite are positive (min. 4‰–6‰ V-SMOW). The Eh and pH of the fluid also changed during evolution of the vein. Both wolframite and columbite-group minerals are anomalously enriched in Mg. We suggest that the origin of this distinct mineralization was related to the mixing of Mo,W-bearing granite-derived magmatic fluids with external basinal waters derived from contemporaneous freshwater (but episodically evaporated) piedmont basins. The basinal waters infiltrated into the subsurface along fractures formed in the extensional tectonic regime, and their circulation continued even after the ending of the activity of magmatic fluids. The studied wolframite mineralization represents the most complete record of the ‘hydrothermal’ history of a site adjacent to a cooling granite body in the study area. Moreover, there are broad similarities in the mineral assemblages, textures, and chemical compositions of individual minerals from other occurrences of wolframite mineralization around the Central Moldanubian Plutonic Complex, pointing to the genetic similarities of the Variscan wolframite-bearing veins in this area.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genesis and Metallogeny of Non-ferrous and Precious Metal Deposits, 2nd Edition)
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Bulk and Surface Characterization of Distinct Hematite Morphology: Implications for Wettability and Flotation Response
by
Lívia Marques Faustino, Belinda McFadzean, José Tadeu Gouvêa Junior and Laurindo de Salles Leal Filho
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 609; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060609 - 14 Jun 2024
Abstract
To understand why hematite of different genesis behave diversely in flotation systems, this study assesses the flotation response at pH 5 of bulk (morphology, texture, Crystal Preferential Orientation (CPO)) plus interfacial (surface area, zeta potential, immersion enthalpy, contact angle, induction time) characteristics of
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To understand why hematite of different genesis behave diversely in flotation systems, this study assesses the flotation response at pH 5 of bulk (morphology, texture, Crystal Preferential Orientation (CPO)) plus interfacial (surface area, zeta potential, immersion enthalpy, contact angle, induction time) characteristics of species formed under distinct metamorphic conditions: low-strain deformation (Hematite-1) versus high-strain deformation (Hematite-2). Hematite-2 (predominantly composed of specular and lamellar morphologies) shows (001) CPO and exhibits fewer Fe sites on its surface that undergo doubly coordinated Fe-OH when exposed to moisture. This results in a less reactive surface associated with a less ordered adsorbed water layer than Hematite-1, which is predominantly composed of granular and sinuous hematite. Those characteristics lead to a naturally hydrophobic behavior characterized by the exothermic energy below the Critical Immersion Enthalpy ( < 200 mJ/m2), lower values of zeta potential due to attenuated dissociation of Fe-OH(surf), lower induction time (47 ms vs. 128 ms), higher contact angle (39° vs. 13°), and higher flotation recovery (21% vs. 12%) than Hematite-1.
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(This article belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
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Open AccessArticle
Characterization of Limestone Surface Impurities and Resulting Quicklime Quality
by
Karin Sandström, Markus Carlborg, Matias Eriksson and Markus Broström
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 608; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060608 - 13 Jun 2024
Abstract
Quicklime, rich in CaO(s), is generated by calcining limestone at high temperatures. Parallel-flow regenerative lime kilns are the most energy-effective industrial method available today. To prevent major disruptions in such kilns, a high raw material quality is necessary. Under some conditions, impurity-enriched material
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Quicklime, rich in CaO(s), is generated by calcining limestone at high temperatures. Parallel-flow regenerative lime kilns are the most energy-effective industrial method available today. To prevent major disruptions in such kilns, a high raw material quality is necessary. Under some conditions, impurity-enriched material may adhere to limestone pebbles and enter the kiln. In this study, limestone and corresponding quicklime were analyzed to evaluate the extent and composition of surface impurities and assess the effect on quicklime product quality, here defined as free CaO. This was performed by sampling and analyzing limestone, quarry clay, laboratory-produced quicklime, and industrially produced quicklime with XRF, SEM/EDX, and XRD; interpretations were supported by thermodynamic equilibrium calculations. In the laboratory-produced quicklime, the surface impurities reacted with calcium forming Larnite, Gehlenite, Åkermanite and Merwinite, reducing the quicklime quality. The results showed that the limestone surface layer comprised 1.2 wt.-% of the total mass but possessed 4 wt.-% of the total impurities. The effect on industrially produced quicklime quality was lower; this indicated that the limestone surface impurities were removed while the material moved through the kiln. Multicomponent chemical equilibrium calculations showed that the quarry clay was expected to be fully melted at 1170℃, possibly leading to operational problems.
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(This article belongs to the Collection Clays and Other Industrial Mineral Materials)
Open AccessReview
Advances in Hydrometallurgical Gold Recovery through Cementation, Adsorption, Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction
by
Jihye Kim, Rina Kim and Kenneth N. Han
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 607; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060607 - 13 Jun 2024
Abstract
Hydrometallurgical gold recovery processes play a pivotal role in the gold mining industry, contributing to more than 90% of global gold production. Among the array of techniques available, the Merrill–Crowe process, adsorption, ion exchange, and solvent extraction are central in extracting gold from
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Hydrometallurgical gold recovery processes play a pivotal role in the gold mining industry, contributing to more than 90% of global gold production. Among the array of techniques available, the Merrill–Crowe process, adsorption, ion exchange, and solvent extraction are central in extracting gold from leach solutions. While the Merrill–Crowe process and gold complex adsorption onto activated carbon represent historical cornerstones, their inherent limitations have prompted the emergence of more recent innovations in ion exchange and solvent extraction, offering enhanced selectivity, control, and sustainability. The evolution of modern organic chemistry has significantly influenced the progress of ion exchange technology, mainly through the introduction of advanced polymer matrix synthetic resins. At the same time, novel solvents tailored to gold complex interactions have revitalized ion exchange and solvent extraction. Introducing ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents has also added a new dimension to efforts to improve gold extraction metallurgy. This paper reviews these cutting-edge developments and their potential to revolutionize the hydrometallurgical gold recovery process, addressing the pressing need for improved efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Removal and Separation of Noble Metal Ions Using Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction)
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The Formation of Calcium–Magnesium Carbonate Minerals Induced by Curvibacter sp. HJ-1 under Different Mg/Ca Molar Ratios
by
Chonghong Zhang, Fuchun Li, Kai Yang and Jianrong Zhou
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 606; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060606 - 12 Jun 2024
Abstract
Microbial mineralization of calcium–magnesium carbonate has been a hot research topic in the fields of geomicrobiology and engineering geology in the past decades. However, the formation and phase transition mechanism of calcium–magnesium carbonate polymorphs at different Mg/Ca ratios still need to be explored.
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Microbial mineralization of calcium–magnesium carbonate has been a hot research topic in the fields of geomicrobiology and engineering geology in the past decades. However, the formation and phase transition mechanism of calcium–magnesium carbonate polymorphs at different Mg/Ca ratios still need to be explored. In this study, microbial induced carbonate mineralization experiments were carried out for 50 days in culture medium with Mg/Ca molar ratios of 0, 1.5, and 3 under the action of Curvibacter sp. HJ-1. The roles of bacteria and the Mg/Ca ratio on the mineral formation and phase transition were investigated. Experimental results show that (1) strain HJ-1 could induce vaterite, aragonite, and magnesium calcite formation in culture media with different Mg/Ca molar ratios. The increased stability of the metastable phase suggests that bacterial extracellular secretions and Mg2+ ions inhibit the carbonate phase-transition process. (2) The morphology of bacteriological carbonate minerals and the formation mechanism of spherical minerals were different in Mg-free and Mg-containing media. (3) The increased Mg/Ca ratio in the culture medium has an influence on the formation and transformation of calcium–magnesium carbonate by controlling the metabolism of Curvibacter sp. HJ-1 and the activity of bacterial secretion.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomineralization and Biominerals: Lessons from Mineral-Producing Organisms, 2nd Edition)
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Diverse Behaviors of Feldspar Grains during Sandstone Diagenesis: Example from the Xujiahe Formation in the Western Sichuan Basin, China
by
Yijiang Zhong, Keke Huang, Qing Zou, Shupeng Zhang and Liming Ye
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060605 - 12 Jun 2024
Abstract
Feldspar alteration is among the most important processes in clastic rocks during diagenesis, but uncertainty remains about the factors that control feldspar diagenesis under subsurface conditions. Hence, the Upper Triassic Xujiahe formation of the Western Sichuan Basin were examined by an integrated petrographic,
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Feldspar alteration is among the most important processes in clastic rocks during diagenesis, but uncertainty remains about the factors that control feldspar diagenesis under subsurface conditions. Hence, the Upper Triassic Xujiahe formation of the Western Sichuan Basin were examined by an integrated petrographic, mineralogical and geochemical approach to unravel the causes and effects of feldspar diagenesis, with implication for mass transfer and openness of the geochemical system. The sandstones at various depths demonstrate three distinct, separate diagenetic behaviors of detrital feldspar within a single formation including (1) the complete dissolution of both plagioclase and K-feldspar in the upper member; (2) conservation of abundant detrital feldspar grains with minor albitization or overgrowths within the lower member of depths greater than 5 km; and (3) complete disappearance of K-feldspar within the uppermost horizons of the lower member, while plagioclase have survived in significant amounts. The exceptional disappearance of K-feldspar is the result of selective dissolution of K-feldspar during burial, accompanied by illite cementation and substantial K transfer at a scale of tens of meters. It is apparent that the clay diagenesis in the overlying mudstones, rather than porewater chemistry, is the major control of the reactivity of K-feldspar in adjacent deeply buried sandstones.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
Open AccessArticle
Research on An Accurate Simulation Modeling and Charge Motion Quantitative Evaluation Method for Ball Mill in Confined Space
by
Zixin Yin, Zujin Jin and Tongqing Li
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 604; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060604 - 12 Jun 2024
Abstract
A ball mill is a type of complex grinding device. Having knowledge of its charge-load behavior is key to determining the operating conditions that provide the optimum mill throughput. An elaborate description of the charge movement inside the ball mill is essential. This
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A ball mill is a type of complex grinding device. Having knowledge of its charge-load behavior is key to determining the operating conditions that provide the optimum mill throughput. An elaborate description of the charge movement inside the ball mill is essential. This study focuses on a laboratory-scale ball mill and utilizes a discrete element simulation model to investigate the impact of mill speed and ball filling on charge-load behavior. Initially, the EDEM 2.7 (Engineering Discrete Element Method) software contact parameters were calibrated through heap-angle experiments. Subsequently, four charge-motion characteristic parameters were defined and analyzed based on Powell’s theory to understand the variations in charge-load behavior. This research proposes a theoretical calculation model for predicting power in a ball mill, highlighting the significance of the CoC (Center of Circulation) and CoM (Center of Mass) in reflecting changes in charge-load behavior. The theoretical model for mill-power prediction is effective and aligns well with the EDEM simulation and experimental results, providing valuable insights for optimizing large-scale ball mill structures and controlling charge motion during production.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Numerical Studies of Mineral Comminution: 3rd Edition)
Open AccessArticle
Recovery of Lithium from Industrial Li-Containing Wastewater Using Fluidized-Bed Homogeneous Granulation Technology
by
Van Giang Le, The Anh Luu, Huu Tuan Tran, Ngoc T. Bui, M. Mofijur, Minh Ky Nguyen, Xuan Thanh Bui, M. B. Bahari, Hoang Nhat Phong Vo, Chi Thanh Vu, Guo-Ping Chang Chien and Yao-Hui Huang
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 603; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060603 - 10 Jun 2024
Abstract
In this study, a novel fluidized-bed homogeneous granulation (FBHo-G) process was developed to recover lithium (Li) from industrial Li-impacted wastewater. Five important operational variables (i.e., temperatures, pH, [P]0/[Li]0 molar ratios, surface loadings, and up-flow velocities (Umf)) were selected
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In this study, a novel fluidized-bed homogeneous granulation (FBHo-G) process was developed to recover lithium (Li) from industrial Li-impacted wastewater. Five important operational variables (i.e., temperatures, pH, [P]0/[Li]0 molar ratios, surface loadings, and up-flow velocities (Umf)) were selected to optimize the Li recovery (TR%) and granulation ratio (GR%) efficiencies of the process. The optimal operational conditions were determined as the following: a temperature of 75 °C, pH of 11.5, [P]0/[Li]0 of 0.5, surface loading of 2.5 kg/m2·h, and Umf of 35.7 m/h). The TR% and GR% at optimal condition could be as much as 90%. The material characterization of the recovery pellet products showed that they were highly crystallized Li3PO4 (purity ~88.2%). The pellets had a round shape and smooth surface with an average size of 0.65 mm, so could easily be stored and transported. The high purity enables them to be further directly reused as raw materials for a wide range of industrial applications (e.g., in the synthesis of cathode materials). Our calculation shows that the FBHo-G process could recover up to 0.1845 kg of lithium per cubic meter of Li-containing wastewater, at a recovery rate of ~90%. A brief technoeconomic analysis shows that FBHG process had economic viability, with an estimate production cost of USD 26/kg Li removed, while the potential gained profit for selling lithium phosphate pellets could be up to USD 48 per the same volume of wastewater and the net profit up to USD 22/m3 Li treated. In all, fluidized-bed homogeneous granulation, a seedless one-step recovery process, opens a promising pathway toward a green and sustainable recycling industry for the recovery and application of the resource-limited lithium element from nonconventional water sources.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Acid Mine Drainage: A Challenge or an Opportunity?)
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Laboratory Experiments and Geochemical Modeling of Gas–Water–Rock Interactions for a CO2 Storage Pilot Project in a Carbonate Reservoir in the Czech Republic
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Monika Licbinska, Krzysztof Labus, Martin Klempa, Dalibor Matysek and Milan Vasek
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060602 - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of CO2 in geological structures on mineralogical changes in rocks and assess the sequestration capacity in mineral form and solution of a potential pilot storage site in the Czech Republic. Rock samples
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The aim of this study was to characterize the influence of CO2 in geological structures on mineralogical changes in rocks and assess the sequestration capacity in mineral form and solution of a potential pilot storage site in the Czech Republic. Rock samples from a dolomite reservoir and the overburden level, as well as the corresponding pore water, were used. The most important chemical process occurring in the reservoir rock is the dissolution of carbonate minerals and feldspars during the injection of CO2 into the structure, which increases the porosity of the structure by approximately 0.25 percentage points and affects the sequestration capacity of the reservoir rock. According to the results of geochemical modeling, the secondary carbonate minerals (dolomite, siderite, and ephemeral dawsonite) were present only during the first 50 years of storage, and the porosity at this stage decreased by 1.20 pp. In the caprocks, the decomposition of K-feldspar and calcite resulted in an increase in porosity by 0.15 percentage points at the injection stage only, while no changes in porosity were noted during storage. This suggests that their insulation efficiency can be maintained during the injection and post-injection periods. However, further experimental research is needed to support this observation. The results of this study indicate that the analyzed formation has a low potential for CO2 sequestration in mineral form and solution over 10,000 years of storage, amounting to 5.50 kg CO2/m3 for reservoir rocks (4.37 kg CO2/m3 in mineral form and 1.13 kg CO2/m3 in dissolved form) and 3.22 kg CO2/m3 for caprock rocks (3.01 kg CO2/m3 in mineral form and 0.21 kg CO2/m3 in dissolved form). These values are lower than in the case of the depleted Brodské oil field, which is a porous reservoir located in the Moravian part of the Vienna Basin.
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(This article belongs to the Section Mineral Geochemistry and Geochronology)
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Numerical Modeling of Electron Beam Cold Hearth Melting for the Cold Hearth
by
Yunpeng Wang, Lei Gao, Yuchen Xin, Shenghui Guo, Li Yang, Haohang Ji and Guo Chen
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 601; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060601 - 7 Jun 2024
Abstract
The electron beam cold hearth melting (EBCHM) process is one of the key processes for titanium alloy production. The unique characteristic of this pyrometallurgy process is the application of the cold hearth, which is responsible for controlling the Low-Density Inclusions (LDIs) and High-Density
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The electron beam cold hearth melting (EBCHM) process is one of the key processes for titanium alloy production. The unique characteristic of this pyrometallurgy process is the application of the cold hearth, which is responsible for controlling the Low-Density Inclusions (LDIs) and High-Density Inclusions (HDIs) in the melt. As a key process of inclusion removal, the information such as melt residence time in the cold hearth is directly related to the control of metallurgical defects in the ingot, and may also affect the composition distribution of the ingot. In this paper, the details for the physical phenomena, namely the evolution of the pool, the evolution of the flow, and the evolution of the component in the cold hearth during EBCHM are investigated using a modified multi-physical numerical model. The effects of melting temperature and melting speed on these phenomena were investigated. The purpose is to provide more fundamental knowledge and to further enhance the applications of EBCHM for more titanium alloys.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pyrometallurgy of Minerals and Ores)
Open AccessArticle
Laminae Characteristics and Their Relationship with Mudstone Reservoir Quality in the Qingshankou Formation, Sanzhao Depression, Songliao Basin, Northeast China
by
Heng Wu, Hao Xu, Haiyan Zhou, Fei Shang, Lan Wang, Pengfei Jiang, Xinyang Men and Ding Liu
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 600; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060600 - 7 Jun 2024
Abstract
Lamination is the predominant and widely developed sedimentary structure in mudstones. Similar to organic pores in shale gas reservoirs, the inorganic pores in the laminae of shale oil reservoirs are equivalently important high-quality reservoir spaces and flow channels. The laminae characteristics are strongly
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Lamination is the predominant and widely developed sedimentary structure in mudstones. Similar to organic pores in shale gas reservoirs, the inorganic pores in the laminae of shale oil reservoirs are equivalently important high-quality reservoir spaces and flow channels. The laminae characteristics are strongly heterogeneous, being controlled by both deposition and diagenesis. However, the origin of this diversity is poorly understood. A detailed examination of cores, thin sections, and scanning electron microscopy analyses were conducted on the lacustrine mudstone of the Qingshankou Formation in the Songliao Basin to study the influence of deposition and diagenesis on laminae characteristics and their relationship to reservoir quality. Three types of laminae are mainly developed, namely thick siliceous laminae, thin siliceous laminae, and thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae. Deposition controls the type and distribution of laminae. The thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae are controlled by climate-driven seasonal flux variations. The thick siliceous laminae and thin siliceous laminae are controlled by bottom current or gravity-driven transport processes due to increased terrestrial input. The thin siliceous laminae have the optimum reservoir properties, followed by the thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae, while the thick siliceous laminae have the worst properties. Diagenesis controls the pore evolution of the laminae. Different laminae have different paths of diagenesis. The thin siliceous laminae are mainly cemented by chlorite, preserving some primary porosity. The clay mineral content of the thin siliceous and argillaceous mixed laminae is high, and the primary pores are mainly destroyed by the strong deformation of the clay minerals during compaction. The thick siliceous laminae are intensely cemented by calcite, losing most of the porosity. The present study enhances the understanding of reservoir characteristics in laminae and provides a reference for shale oil exploration.
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(This article belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
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Open AccessArticle
Synergistic Effect of Sodium Dodecyl Benzene Sulfonate on Flotation Separation of Magnesite and Dolomite with Sodium Oleate Collector
by
Na Luo, Baobao Yan, Jingyang Shi, Dahu Li and Zhiqiang Huang
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060599 - 7 Jun 2024
Abstract
The synergistic effect of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) on the flotation separation of magnesite and dolomite using sodium oleate (NaOL) as a collector has been studied through flotation experiments, zeta potential measurements, contact angle measurements, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy analysis (FT-IR), particle
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The synergistic effect of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) on the flotation separation of magnesite and dolomite using sodium oleate (NaOL) as a collector has been studied through flotation experiments, zeta potential measurements, contact angle measurements, Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy analysis (FT-IR), particle size measurements and transmittance measurements. The flotation experiments show that when the synergist, SDBS, is added to the collector, NaOL, the collecting ability and ion resistance of NaOL can be improved so that the flotation separation of magnesite and dolomite can be realized. Zeta potential measurements, contact angle measurements and FT-IR analysis indicate that SDBS and NaOL can co-adsorb on the surface of magnesite. Particle size measurements and transmittance measurements show that SDBS can also improve the dispersion and solubility of NaOL in an aqueous solution, so as to achieve a synergistic effect.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Engineering and Technology in Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, Volume II)
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Open AccessArticle
Detrital Tourmalines in the Cretaceous–Eocene Julian and Brkini Flysch Basins (SE Alps, Italy and Slovenia)
by
Davide Lenaz, Giovanna Garlatti, Francesco Bernardi and Sergio Andò
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060598 - 7 Jun 2024
Abstract
In the SE Alps, two Cretaceous–Eocene flysch basins, Julian and Brkini, filled with turbidite sediments, are present. This study novelly reports heavy mineral assemblage counts and detrital tourmaline characterization for 11 samples. It is possible to define three different groups, characterized by the
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In the SE Alps, two Cretaceous–Eocene flysch basins, Julian and Brkini, filled with turbidite sediments, are present. This study novelly reports heavy mineral assemblage counts and detrital tourmaline characterization for 11 samples. It is possible to define three different groups, characterized by the presence of (1) a clinopyroxene–epidote–low-ZTR (zircon+tourmaline+rutile; 5%) sample association, (2) a high-ZTR (>48%)–garnet–apatite association and (3) a low-ZTR (<40%)–Cr-spinel–garnet association. Detrital tourmalines from both the Julian and Brkini flysch basins are rather similar in composition, associated with metapelites and metapsammites coexisting or not coexisting with an Al-saturating phase, ferric-iron-rich quartz–tourmaline rocks and calc–silicate rocks; however, their number is drastically different. In fact, even if the percentage of heavy minerals is very low and similar in both basins (0.17–1.34% in weight), in the Julian basin, the number of tourmaline crystals is much lower than that in Brkini (1–14 vs. 30–100), suggesting an important change in the provenance area. Interestingly, the presence of a high amount of tourmaline derived from ferric-iron-rich quartz–tourmaline rocks and calc–silicate rocks makes these two basins different from all the Cretaceous flysch basins of Bosnia and the Northern Dinaric zone, where these supplies are missing or very limited.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization of Flysch Formations: A Multidisciplinary Approach)
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Microtextural Characteristics of Ultramafic Rock-Forming Minerals and Their Effects on Carbon Sequestration
by
Tadsuda Taksavasu, Piyanat Arin, Thanakon Khatecha and Suchanya Kojinok
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 597; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060597 - 6 Jun 2024
Abstract
Ultramafic rocks are promising candidates for carbon sequestration by enhanced carbon dioxide (CO2) mineralization strategies due to their highly CO2-reactive mineral composition and their abundant availability. This study reports the mineralogy and microtextures of a representative ultramafic rock from
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Ultramafic rocks are promising candidates for carbon sequestration by enhanced carbon dioxide (CO2) mineralization strategies due to their highly CO2-reactive mineral composition and their abundant availability. This study reports the mineralogy and microtextures of a representative ultramafic rock from the Ma-Hin Creek in northern Thailand and provides evidence of CO2 mineralization occurring through the interaction between CO2 and the rock in the presence of water under ambient conditions. After sample collection, rock description was determined by optical petrographic analysis. The rock petrography revealed a cumulated wehrlite comprising over 50% olivine and minor amounts of clinopyroxene, plagioclase, and chromian spinel. Approximately 25% of the wehrlite had altered to serpentine and chlorite. A series of CO2 batch experiments were conducted on six different rock sizes at a temperature of 40 °C and pressure of 1 atm over five consecutive days. The post-experimental products were dried, weighed, and geochemically analyzed to detect changes in mineral species. Experimental results showed that product weight and the presence of calcite increased with reducing grain size. Additionally, the modal mineralogy of the wehrlite theoretically suggests potential CO2 uptake of up to 53%, which is higher than the average uptake values of mafic rocks. These findings support the rock investigation approach used and the preliminary assessment of carbon mineralization potential, contributing to enhanced rock weathering techniques for CO2 removal that could be adopted by mining and rock supplier industries.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Weathering Studies)
Open AccessArticle
Analysis and Prediction of the Leaching Process of Ionic Rare Earth: A Data Mining Study with Scarce Data
by
Zhenyue Zhang, Jing Yang, Wenda Guo, Ling Jiang, Wendou Chen, Defeng Liu, Hanjun Wu and Ruan Chi
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 596; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060596 - 6 Jun 2024
Abstract
To unveil the impact of each condition variable on the leaching efficiency index during the heap leaching process of rare earth ore and establish a prediction model for leaching conditions and efficiency, common parameters in the heap leaching process of rare earth ore
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To unveil the impact of each condition variable on the leaching efficiency index during the heap leaching process of rare earth ore and establish a prediction model for leaching conditions and efficiency, common parameters in the heap leaching process of rare earth ore were selected. In addition, the pilot-scale test data were collected over 50 days. Based on the collected data, the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) linear regression method was used for fitting analysis to determine each variable’s influence on the change in leaching efficiency. The results indicated a linear relationship between the flow rate of the leaching solution and leaching efficiency. In contrast, no obvious linear relationship was observed between other condition variables and leaching efficiency. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was calculated to analyze the nonlinear correlation between the abovementioned variables and the leaching efficiency index. The correlation coefficients were found to be −0.78, 0.88, −0.93, −0.53, 0.71, and −0.93 for ammonium content in the leaching agent, pH of the leaching agent, rare earth content, ammonium content in the leaching solution, pH of the leaching solution, and the flow rate of the leaching solution, respectively. This suggests that the flow rate of the leaching solution, rare earth content, and pH of the leaching agent significantly influence leaching efficiency, thus affecting the rare earth leaching efficiency index. Based on the correlation analysis results of leaching conditions and efficiency, a dataset with limited data trained by the common Ordinary Least Squares model, linear regression model, random forest model, and support vector machine regression model was selected to develop a prediction model for the leaching process data. The results indicated that the random forest model had the lowest mean square error of 7.47 among the four models and the coefficient of determination closest to 1 (0.99). This model can effectively analyze and predict condition variables’ data and leaching efficiency index in the heap leaching process of rare earth ore, with a prediction accuracy exceeding 90%, thus providing intelligent guidance for the heap leaching process of rare earth ores.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy)
Open AccessArticle
Provenance Studies of Natural Stones Used in Historical Buildings of the Peninsula de Barbanza, Galicia, Spain (North-Western Iberia)
by
Ana C. Hernández, Jorge Sanjurjo-Sánchez, Carlos Alves and Carlos A. M. Figueiredo
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 595; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060595 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
Traditionally, the building stones used in the architectural heritage of Galicia (Spain) during the past were mainly extracted from quarries located in the surrounding areas of the historical buildings. Thus, a great variety of monuments were built with the same type of granite
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Traditionally, the building stones used in the architectural heritage of Galicia (Spain) during the past were mainly extracted from quarries located in the surrounding areas of the historical buildings. Thus, a great variety of monuments were built with the same type of granite but with different degrees of weathering depending on local conditions, geological context (facies), and period of construction. The main purpose of this work is to evaluate the probable origin of the construction materials of six historical buildings on the Barbanza Peninsula, Galicia (Spain), based on the degree of weathering and petrographic-mineralogical characteristics. The evaluation was performed on six different samples of granite according to the geological context in outcrops of places where there are old quarries. We used X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and petrographic microscopy (PM) to attempt to address whether the origin is really local to the Barbanza Peninsula or whether the stone was brought from more distant places, based on our knowledge of the geological context of the study area. Based on the chemical, textural, and mineralogical analyses obtained, the material used for construction has a local origin and comes from small quarries spread over a wide area within the Peninsula itself. Barbanza-type granite is the most abundant within the geological context of the area and also the most used as a construction material. Other types of granites identified are the Confurco Granite and other granitoids of the Noya complex. The Chemical Alteration Index (CIA) shows low to moderate weathering in the granites, fitting petrographic observations. In monuments, samples show higher concentrations of Na and K due to salt crystallization. They show microcracks due to extraction, cutting, and finishing processes and common alteration processes of the main minerals, such as sericitization of plagioclase and chloritization of biotite. This work consists of a multidisciplinary study focused on the geological perspective for the identification and preservation of historic quarries. Knowledge of the original material also presents a unique opportunity for the restoration and/or reconstruction of monuments, which allows for the maintenance of their conceptual and constructive homogeneity.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural and Artificial Building Stones: Insights from Petrophysical Properties and Consolidation Procedures)
Open AccessArticle
Shape Change of Mineral Inclusions in Diamond—The Result of Diffusion Processes
by
Valentin Afanasiev, Sargylana Ugapeva and Alla Logvinova
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 594; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060594 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
The paper considers the possibility of changing the morphology of inclusions in diamonds based on the study of these inclusions and the inclusion–diamond boundary. Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy methods were used. According to the literature data, it is known that the
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The paper considers the possibility of changing the morphology of inclusions in diamonds based on the study of these inclusions and the inclusion–diamond boundary. Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy methods were used. According to the literature data, it is known that the octahedral form of mineral inclusions in diamond is induced, and does not correspond to the initial conditions of joint growth of diamond and inclusion, but the mechanism of this process is not considered. Solids differ in the value of surface Gibbs energy; the harder the material, the higher its melting point and the greater the value of surface Gibbs energy In the case of the diamond–inclusion pair, the surface energy of diamond far exceeds the surface energy of the inclusion. Diamond crystals have a surface energy value for an octahedron face of 5.3 J/m2, dodecahedron—6.5 J/m2, and cube—9.2 J/m2, i.e. it is anomalously high compared to the surface tension of silicate and other minerals. Therefore, the mineral inclusion in diamond tends to the form corresponding to the minimum of free energy in the “diamond–inclusion” pair, and when the energy of diamond dominates, the final shape will be determined by it, i.e. it will be an octahedron. The authors suggest the possibility of redistribution of diamond substance around the inclusion with simultaneous change of the inclusion morphology.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Kimberlites and Related Rocks: New Insight into Petrogenesis and Diamond Potential of Deeply-Derived Mantle Magmas)
Open AccessArticle
Swelling Behaviors of Superabsorbent Composites Based on Acrylic Acid/Acrylamide Copolymer and Attapulgite
by
Hanru Ren, Jun Ren, Ling Tao and Xuechang Ren
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 593; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060593 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
The swelling behaviors and water retention of superabsorbent sand-fixing materials prepared from acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymer (AA/AM) and acid-modified attapulgite under ultrasonic treatments and different pH conditions were investigated. The results demonstrated that a suitable amount of attapulgite can effectively improve the absorption capacity
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The swelling behaviors and water retention of superabsorbent sand-fixing materials prepared from acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymer (AA/AM) and acid-modified attapulgite under ultrasonic treatments and different pH conditions were investigated. The results demonstrated that a suitable amount of attapulgite can effectively improve the absorption capacity and saltwater performance. The superabsorbent achieved the highest absorptions of 1257.54 g/g and 209.45 g/g in distilled water and a 0.9 wt% NaCl solution, and a higher water absorbency occurred over a wide pH range of 5~9 when the ultrasonic power was 200 W and the attapulgite content was 10%. The addition of attapulgite could significantly increase the water absorption and retention.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clays and Engineered Mineral Materials)
Open AccessArticle
Geochemical Characteristics of Soil Rare Earth Elements within Spontaneous Combustion Coalfields of Rujigou Coal Mine
by
Bei Xiao, Zhenghai Wang, Peng Xie and Yuxin Tian
Minerals 2024, 14(6), 592; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14060592 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
(1) Background: The spontaneous combustion of coal (SCC) not only consumes huge amounts of coal resources but also causes environmental degradation. Rare earth elements (REE) can be taken as an effective indicator to evaluate the environmental effects of SCC. Coal in the Rujigou
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(1) Background: The spontaneous combustion of coal (SCC) not only consumes huge amounts of coal resources but also causes environmental degradation. Rare earth elements (REE) can be taken as an effective indicator to evaluate the environmental effects of SCC. Coal in the Rujigou Mine has been spontaneously combusting for hundreds of years. (2) Methods: The geochemical properties of REE and major elements in the soil of the Rujigou coal mine are methodically examined to reveal the environmental effects of SCC. (3) Results: Soil REE concentration in the Rujigou mine is 216.09 mg/kg, and there is an enrichment of light rare earth elements (LREE) and a depletion of heavy rare earth elements (HREE), LREE/HREE in Rujigou mine was 5.52. The spontaneous combustion of coal could change the vertical distribution of REE, which is conducive to the enrichment of LREE. According to the Eu anomaly and δCe/δEu, the source of material in this mine may be derived from the terrigenous clastic rock controlled by weak reduction. Aluminum and titanium have similar geochemical behavior to REE, especially LREE. The concentration of sulfur is negatively correlated with REE, especially HREE. Calcium, sodium, and magnesium all had a negative correlation with LREE. (4) Conclusions: The spontaneous combustion of coal can lead to the fractionation of light and heavy rare earth elements, resulting in the enrichment of LREE and depletion of HREE.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mineral Exploration Methods and Applications)
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