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Metals
Special Issues
Metal Leaching and Recovery
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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 2788

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Zhongqun Guo
*
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
Dr. Chenliang Peng

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

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-blind 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

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

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 3077 KB  
Article
Recovering Battery-Grade LiOH·H2O from Spent Lithium-Containing Sagger Crucible by Thermal Dehydration and BaSO4-Driven Double Decomposition
by Seongbong Heo and Jei-Pil Wang
Metals 2025, 15(12), 1293; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15121293 - 25 Nov 2025
Viewed by 339
Abstract
This study develops and validates an integrated hydrometallurgical process to recover battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate from spent aluminosilicate sagger crucibles. Lithium was first leached as Li2SO4 from the crucibles using sulfuric acid; the Li2SO4·H2O [...] Read more.
This study develops and validates an integrated hydrometallurgical process to recover battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate from spent aluminosilicate sagger crucibles. Lithium was first leached as Li2SO4 from the crucibles using sulfuric acid; the Li2SO4·H2O present in the leachate was then thermally decomposed at 300 °C to Li2SO4 + H2O, as confirmed by TGA-guided selection and XRD. Subsequent conversion to LiOH proceeded via double decomposition with Ba(OH)2. Guided by HSC-based equilibrium simulations and an Eh–pH analysis of the Li–Ba–S–H2O system, reaction conditions were optimized over 60–80 °C and [OH−]/[Li+] = 1–3. The optimum was identified at 70 °C and [OH−]/[Li+] = 1, delivering a conversion efficiency of 98.78% and a Li recovery of 98.86%. Two-end-point acid titration indicated a LiOH content of 90.29 wt.% in solution with minimal Li2CO3 formation, consistent with processing under vacuum–Ar to suppress CO2 uptake. The crystallized product obtained by evaporation at ≥90 °C for 24 h was confirmed as LiOH·H2O (with LiOH) by XRD, while the solid by-product was single-phase BaSO4. ICP-OES measured a final LiOH·H2O purity of 99.8%. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Metal Leaching and Recovery)
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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 516
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 1334
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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