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Metals
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Efficient Utilization of Metal Mineral Resources and Low-Carbon Metallurgy
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Efficient Utilization of Metal Mineral Resources and Low-Carbon Metallurgy

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2026 | Viewed by 5032

Editors

Dr. Shichao Wu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Metallurgical Engineering‌, School of Metallurgy and Energy Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, China
Interests: clean and efficient utilization of refractory metal mineral resources; low-carbon metallurgy; resource utilization of solid waste
Prof. Dr. Jue Kou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Civil and Resource Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: mineral processing; leaching; flotation; solid liquid separation; comminution; grinding; sorting; surface chemistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To confront the climate crisis, which has intensified due to industrialization, achieving carbon neutrality is imperative. The metallurgical sector, particularly iron and steel production, is a major CO2 emitter globally, and thus it is the subject of critical focus for emissions reduction. This Special Issue aims to explore the use of innovative pathways to achieve sustainable metal production. It centers on two interconnected pillars: the efficient utilization of metal mineral resources to minimize waste and primary resource consumption, and low-carbon metallurgy aimed at drastically reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The key areas of interest include the adoption of zero-carbon fuels (hydrogen, biomass), the integration of recycled organic solid wastes, advanced blast furnace optimization, the development of novel reducing agents (bio-coke, ferro-coke), breakthrough ironmaking processes (e.g., hydrogen-based direct reduction), the implementation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies within plants, and enhanced end-treatment strategies. We invite contributions that provide advances in these fields to foster a sustainable, low-carbon future for metallurgy.

Dr. Shichao Wu
Prof. Dr. Jue Kou
Guest Editors

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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metals 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 2600 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

  • efficient utilization
  • resource utilization of solid waste
  • hydrogen metallurgy
  • biomass metallurgy
  • short-process metallurgy

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 2342 KB  
Article
Research on the Phase Transition Mechanisms and Consolidation Behavior of High-Titanium Vanadium–Titanium Pellets
by Zhanao Shang, Tielei Tian, Yuzhu Zhang and Yong Deng
Metals 2026, 16(7), 777; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16070777 - 12 Jul 2026
Viewed by 311
Abstract
To support the production of high-titanium pellets for the gas-based shaft furnace–electric furnace route used to prepare high-titanium feedstock, the phase evolution and structural development of pellets prepared from titanium concentrate, vanadium–titanium powder, and Xuanhua powder were systematically investigated. The results show that [...] Read more.
To support the production of high-titanium pellets for the gas-based shaft furnace–electric furnace route used to prepare high-titanium feedstock, the phase evolution and structural development of pellets prepared from titanium concentrate, vanadium–titanium powder, and Xuanhua powder were systematically investigated. The results show that the roasting temperature for high-titanium vanadium–titanium pellets should be controlled within 1240–1260 °C. When the titanium concentrate addition is 5 wt%, the pellets exhibit the optimum compressive strength. When the titanium concentrate addition is further increased to 10 wt%, the compressive strength decreases, but the pellets still satisfy the strength requirement for gas-based shaft furnace operation. The addition of titanium concentrate promotes the formation of pseudobrookite, which fills pores and forms crystal-bridge-like bonding with hematite, thereby enhancing pellet consolidation. However, excessive titanium concentrate addition leads to the formation of large amounts of pseudobrookite, which coats hematite grains, suppresses hematite recrystallization, and hinders oxygen diffusion within the pellets. The consolidation of high-titanium vanadium–titanium pellets is dominated by hematite recrystallization and is further strengthened by the intergrowth of hematite with the newly formed Fe2TiO5-TiO2 solid solution, resulting in a denser pellet structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Utilization of Metal Mineral Resources and Low-Carbon Metallurgy)
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16 pages, 1915 KB  
Article
Numerical Modeling of Oxide Scale Formation on Low-Carbon Steel Under Reheating Furnace Conditions Using Hydrogen and Natural Gas Air–Fuel and Oxy-Fuel Mixtures
by Mario Herrera-Ortega, Armin K. Silaen, Nicholas J. Walla, Chenn Q. Zhou, Tomas Ekman, Esin Iplik, Rudiger Eichler, Rafat Hirmiz, Joseph Maiolo, Bernard Chukwulebe, Oscar Lanzi and Yong Lee
Metals 2026, 16(5), 534; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16050534 - 14 May 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 411
Abstract
This work presents an oxidation model that integrates high-temperature steel oxidation kinetics with CFD simulations to predict oxide scale formation during steel reheating under varying combustion atmospheres in the temperature range of 800–1200 °C, over residence times in the rage of 60–160 min. [...] Read more.
This work presents an oxidation model that integrates high-temperature steel oxidation kinetics with CFD simulations to predict oxide scale formation during steel reheating under varying combustion atmospheres in the temperature range of 800–1200 °C, over residence times in the rage of 60–160 min. The model accounts for the water vapor content in the furnace atmosphere and evaluates scale thickness under both natural gas and hydrogen combustion, using air or oxygen as oxidizing agents. Oxide scale growth is described using a combined linear–parabolic approach to capture mixed growth mechanisms. Simulation results were validated against experimental measurements of scale thickness obtained for two low-carbon steel grades. The model predictions show good agreement with experimental measurements, with average deviations of approximately 10%, while maximum deviations of up to approximately 17% are observed for specific cases and operating conditions. The model captures scale growth trends under non-isothermal conditions and highlights the impact of water vapor and combustion atmosphere on oxidation behavior. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Utilization of Metal Mineral Resources and Low-Carbon Metallurgy)
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23 pages, 4381 KB  
Article
From Mining Residues to Potential Resources: A Cross-Disciplinary Strategy for Raw Materials Recovery and Supply
by Stefano Ubaldini, Alena Luptakova, Matteo Paciucci, Daniela Caschera, Roberta Grazia Toro, Isabel Nogues, Victor Pinon, Magdalena Balintova, Adriana Estokova, Miloslav Luptak, Eva Macingova, Rosamaria Salvatori and Daniela Guglietta
Metals 2026, 16(2), 133; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16020133 - 23 Jan 2026
Viewed by 965
Abstract
Digital and green energy transitions are driving an unprecedented demand for Strategic and Critical Raw Materials (S-CRMs), necessitating the identification of alternative sources such as secondary raw materials from exploration and mining residues. This study investigates an integrated, multi-scale approach to map and [...] Read more.
Digital and green energy transitions are driving an unprecedented demand for Strategic and Critical Raw Materials (S-CRMs), necessitating the identification of alternative sources such as secondary raw materials from exploration and mining residues. This study investigates an integrated, multi-scale approach to map and recover S-CRMs from an abandoned exploration stockpile in Zlatá Baňa, Slovak Republic. A key aspect of the methodology is comprehensive chemical and mineralogical characterization (XRF, PXRD, FTIR, LIBS, and SEM-EDS), which provided scientific validation for the diagnostic absorption features observed in laboratory reflectance spectra. These laboratory-acquired signatures were then used as endmembers to classify Sentinel-2 imagery via the Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) algorithm. This integration enabled the identification of three distinct residue classes, with classA (jarosite-rich residues) emerging as the most reactive facies. Subsequent bioleaching experiments using Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans demonstrated that microbial activity more than doubled Zn mobilization compared to abiotic controls. This cross-disciplinary strategy confirms that the synergy between advanced analytical characterization and remote sensing provides a robust, cost-effective pathway for the sustainable recovery of S-CRMs in regions affected by historical and mining activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Utilization of Metal Mineral Resources and Low-Carbon Metallurgy)
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Graphical abstract

16 pages, 7106 KB  
Article
Optimization of Synergistic Reduction of Copper Smelting Slag and Chromite for Production of Cu-Cr-Fe Master Alloys
by Yaoan Xi, Yi Qu, Sui Xie, Jinfa Liao and Baojun Zhao
Metals 2026, 16(1), 52; https://doi.org/10.3390/met16010052 - 31 Dec 2025
Viewed by 789
Abstract
Cu and Cr are the essential alloying elements for low-Ni stainless steels. An effective and economical method has been developed for the direct production of Cu-Cr-Fe master alloys through the synergistic reduction of chromite and copper smelting slag. The smelting conditions for synergy [...] Read more.
Cu and Cr are the essential alloying elements for low-Ni stainless steels. An effective and economical method has been developed for the direct production of Cu-Cr-Fe master alloys through the synergistic reduction of chromite and copper smelting slag. The smelting conditions for synergy reduction were systematically investigated by combining thermodynamic calculations and high-temperature experiments. The results indicate that synergistic reduction drives the reactions of Cr2O3, FeO, and Cu2O with carbon in a positive direction, which can increase their recovery and decrease the flux and fuel costs. The optimum slag composition was identified to control the (CaO + MgO)/(SiO2 + Al2O3) ratio between 0.62 and 0.72, where the slag is fully liquid, resulting in an efficient separation of the alloy from the slag. At 1550 °C, with 50 wt% chromite and 50 wt% copper smelting slag as raw materials, a Cu-Cr-Fe alloy containing 5.2 wt% Cu, 28.6 wt% Cr and 57.9 wt% Fe was produced, while the contents of FeO, Cu2O, and Cr2O3 in the final slag were 0.057 wt%, 0.059 wt%, and 0.23 wt%, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Utilization of Metal Mineral Resources and Low-Carbon Metallurgy)
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17 pages, 5368 KB  
Article
Process and Dephosphorization Mechanism for Producing Low-Phosphorus Steel via Direct Reduction–Electric Furnace Smelting Separation of Alkaline Briquettes from Refractory High-Phosphorus Oolitic Magnetite Concentrate
by Mengjie Hu, Deqing Zhu, Jian Pan and Siwei Li
Metals 2025, 15(10), 1149; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15101149 - 17 Oct 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1939
Abstract
High-phosphorus oolitic iron ores (HPOIOs) possess abundant reserves but are incompatible with conventional blast furnace ironmaking, as phosphorus migrates into hot metals during carbothermic reduction, preventing the production of low-phosphorus clean steel. To overcome this limitation, an innovative approach integrating alkaline briquette direct [...] Read more.
High-phosphorus oolitic iron ores (HPOIOs) possess abundant reserves but are incompatible with conventional blast furnace ironmaking, as phosphorus migrates into hot metals during carbothermic reduction, preventing the production of low-phosphorus clean steel. To overcome this limitation, an innovative approach integrating alkaline briquette direct reduction and smelting separation was proposed. Briquettes were prepared from oolitic magnetite concentrate (52.01 wt% Fe, 0.29 wt% P, 0.11 wt% S) with a basicity (R) of 2.0 and 5 wt% MgO added as a desulfurizer. After direct reduction and smelting separation, the resulting metallic iron exhibited a content of 98.56 wt% Fe, with 0.036 wt% P and 0.046 wt% S, achieving an Fe recovery of 87.63%. The dephosphorization and desulfurization efficiencies reached 94.67% and 90.56%, respectively, meeting the clean steel requirements. Phosphorus was effectively stabilized within the gehlenite and merwinite phases as a solid solution of Ca3(PO4)2, inhibiting its transfer to iron. Thermodynamic analyses confirmed that high basicity (R ≥ 2.0) significantly suppressed P2O5 activity, preventing phosphate reduction. The formation of a Ca3(PO4)2–Ca2SiO4 solid solution further obstructed phosphorus migration. This dual mechanism of “chemical fixation and thermodynamic stabilization” enables efficient dephosphorization, offering a sustainable pathway for utilizing HPOIOs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Efficient Utilization of Metal Mineral Resources and Low-Carbon Metallurgy)
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