Thermochemical Processing of Low-Grade Ores and Mineral-Related Wastes

Dear Colleagues,

The development of new technological processes for metal recovery from untapped low-grade ores and mineral wastes is emerging as an area of great interest, owing to the decreasing grades and quality of primary ores, the precarious balance of supply and demand of critical raw materials (CRMs), and the modern-day concepts of “sustainable mining” and “circular economy.” Historically, metal extraction processes have consisted of one or more pyrometallurgical, hydrometallurgical, and/or bio-hydrometallurgical processing steps. These traditional processes used for metal extraction from primary, high-grade ores are generally uneconomical when applied to low-grade ores and mineral wastes. The development of novel or the modification of existing processing routes is therefore needed. In recent years, thermochemical processing of low-grade ores and mineral wastes has received renewed attention. This Special Issue will focus on recent advances in thermochemical processing of low-grade ores and mineral wastes, including but not limited to the following topics:

• Alkali roasting-leaching methods using e.g. NaOH, Na₂CO₃, CaCO₃
• Ammonium salt roasting-leaching methods using e.g. (NH₄)₂SO₄, NH₄Cl
• Microwave-enhanced extraction methods
• Thermochemical processing applied to e.g., mine tailings, coal fly ash, individual minerals (e.g., serpentine)
• Extraction of rare earth elements, aluminium and other metals by thermochemical processing
• Thermochemical decomposition of extraction agents (e.g., (NH₄)₂SO₄)
• Thermodynamics and kinetics studies
• Techno-economic and exergy studies

Dr. Frédéric J. Doucet
Guest Editor

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