Metal Leaching and Recovery

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Extractive Metallurgy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 1057

Special Issue Editors

*
E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Surveying & Mapping Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Interests: metal resource extraction; mining engineering; rare metals; metal leaching
* Distinguished Professor

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil Engineering and Surveying & Mapping Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou 341000, China
Interests: metal leaching; ionic rare earths; mineral process engineering

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

With the acceleration of global industrialization and the rapid development of clean energy technologies, the demand for metal mineral resources continues to increase. However, the depletion of high-grade ores has made the efficient recovery and utilization of low-grade, complex ores and secondary resources (such as electronic waste, industrial waste residues, etc.) key issues. Metal leaching and recovery technology, as a core link in resource recycling, not only relates to the sustainable supply of metal mineral resources but also plays a significant role in reducing environmental pollution, promoting green metallurgy, and achieving the efficient production of metal materials.

This Special Issue, "Metal Leaching and Recovery", aims to bring together the latest research achievements from both domestic and international sources, focusing on cutting-edge theories, technological innovations, and engineering applications in the field of metal leaching and recovery. It provides a high-level communication platform for the academic and industrial communities.

  • Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Efficient leaching technology.
  • Green recycling method.
  • Process mechanism and simulation.
  • Sustainability of environment and resources.
  • Industrial cases and large-scale applications.

Dr. Zhongqun Guo
Dr. Chenliang Peng
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • metal leaching
  • biological leaching
  • chemical leaching
  • selective extraction of metals
  • green separation technologies
  • metal recovery process
  • green metallurgy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 5087 KB  
Article
Study on the Strength Characteristics of Ion-Adsorbed Rare Earth Ore Under Chemical Leaching and the Duncan–Chang Model Parameters
by Zhongqun Guo, Xiaoming Lin, Haoxuan Wang, Qiqi Liu and Jianqi Wu
Metals 2025, 15(10), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15101104 - 3 Oct 2025
Viewed by 259
Abstract
Ionic rare earths are extracted from primary sources by the in situ chemical leaching method, where the type and concentration of leaching agents significantly affect the mechanical properties and microstructure of the ore body. In this study, MgSO4 and Al2(SO [...] Read more.
Ionic rare earths are extracted from primary sources by the in situ chemical leaching method, where the type and concentration of leaching agents significantly affect the mechanical properties and microstructure of the ore body. In this study, MgSO4 and Al2(SO4)3 solutions of varying concentrations were used as leaching agents to investigate the evolution of shear strength, the characteristics of Duncan–Chang hyperbolic model parameters, and the changes in microstructural pore characteristics of rare earth samples under different leaching conditions. The results show that the stress–strain curves of all samples consistently exhibit strain-hardening behavior under all leaching conditions, and shear strength is jointly influenced by confining pressure and the chemical interaction between the leaching solution and the soil. The samples leached with MgSO4 exhibited higher shear strength than those treated with water. The samples leached with 3% and 6% Al2(SO4)3 showed increased strength, while 9% Al2(SO4)3 caused a slight decrease. With increasing leaching agent concentration, the cohesion of the samples significantly declined, whereas the internal friction angle remained relatively stable. The Duncan–Chang model accurately described the nonlinear deformation behavior of the rare earth samples, with the model parameter b markedly decreasing as confining pressure increased, indicating that confining stress plays a dominant role in governing the nonlinear response. Under the coupled effects of chemical leaching and mechanical stress, the number and size distribution of pores of the rare earth samples underwent a complex multiscale co-evolution. These results provide theoretical support for the green, efficient, and safe exploitation of ionic rare earth ores. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Leaching and Recovery)
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Review

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19 pages, 5636 KB  
Review
Application of Ultrasonic-Enhanced Leaching for the Recovery of Metal Elements from Mineral Raw Materials and Secondary Resources
by Yusufujiang Mubula, Mingming Yu, Heyue Niu, Zhehan Zhu and Kun Xu
Metals 2025, 15(10), 1115; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15101115 - 8 Oct 2025
Viewed by 309
Abstract
Driven by the practical needs of reducing mining costs and protecting the environment, and with the growing focus on the green and efficient recovery of metal elements (Cu, Mn, Ni, Co, Li, V, Al, Fe, REEs) from mineral raw materials and secondary resources, [...] Read more.
Driven by the practical needs of reducing mining costs and protecting the environment, and with the growing focus on the green and efficient recovery of metal elements (Cu, Mn, Ni, Co, Li, V, Al, Fe, REEs) from mineral raw materials and secondary resources, ultrasonic-enhanced leaching has emerged as an effective method for achieving the resource recovery of the aforementioned metals. As the ultrasonic-enhanced leaching process can effectively recover metal elements from mineral resources and secondary resources, it can effectively reduce the energy consumption, shorten the recycling time, and effectively improve the efficiency of the recovery of metal elements in the recycling process. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the latest references and scientific knowledge in the field of ultrasonic-enhanced leaching, classifies and summarizes the application of ultrasonic-enhanced leaching in the recovery of metal elements from mineral resources and secondary resources, and discusses the mechanisms of ultrasonic-enhanced leaching in detail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Leaching and Recovery)
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