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Selected Papers from the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars...
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Selected Papers from the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing

A special issue of Minerals (ISSN 2075-163X). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 | Viewed by 5692

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Zhiyong Gao

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Guest Editor
School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: flotation of oxide minerals; mineral crystal chemistry; flotation reagent molecular design; mineral/reagent/water interfacial science; waste treatment in minerals processing
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Zhao Cao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mining and Coal Engineering, Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology, Baotou 014010, China
Interests: mineral processing of rare-earth and niobium ores; gold beneficiation and leaching; industrial solid waste recycling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Jian Cao

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: flotation reagent molecular design; synthetic methodology; sulphide flotation; soil remediation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Shihong Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Minerals Processing and Bioengineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, China
Interests: grinding pulp chemistry; surface chemistry; high-efficiency comminution technologies; flotation of sulfide minerals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhitao Feng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
Interests: elucidating flotation mechanism with quantum chemistry; machine learning assisted new flotation reagent design; molecular dynamic simulation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The global mineral processing community continues to navigate significant challenges, including technological advancements, environmental sustainability, and economic feasibility. Historically, our community has effectively addressed these challenges, contributing to the clean and efficient utilization of mineral resources.

We are pleased to announce that the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing will be held in Harbin, China, from 16 to 18 August 2024. This conference serves as a vital platform for sharing the latest developments, innovations, and research in the field of mineral processing, both within China and globally.

In conjunction with this esteemed event, we are launching a Special Issue in the journal Minerals to publish selected high-quality papers presented at the conference. This Special Issue aims to collect diverse and impactful research papers, short communications, and review articles that address a wide range of topics pertinent to mineral processing.

We invite you to attend the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing and to contribute to this Special Issue. Your participation will significantly enhance the discourse and development of the mineral processing field.

Prof. Dr. Zhiyong Gao
Prof. Dr. Zhao Cao
Dr. Jian Cao
Dr. Shihong Xu
Dr. Zhitao Feng
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Minerals 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 2400 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

  • advances in mineral processing technology
  • sustainable and environmentally friendly processing methods
  • economic analysis and feasibility studies
  • innovative research methodologies
  • case studies and practical applications
  • policy and regulatory impacts on mineral processing

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

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 7336 KiB  
Article
The Formation Process and Mechanism of Total Activated Potassium During the Preparation of Si–Ca–K–Mg Fertilizer from Molybdenum Tailings
by Tuanliu Hu, Yifan Li, Aihua Xiang, Xinglan Li and Kun Liu
Minerals 2025, 15(5), 450; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15050450 - 26 Apr 2025
Viewed by 85
Abstract
Silicon–calcium–potassium–magnesium fertilizer (Si–Ca–K–Mg fertilizer), a critical acidic soil conditioner for remediating polluted acidic soils, encounters a significant challenge: substantial potassium loss through flue gas during high–temperature calcination, which increases production costs. This study optimized the blending ratio of molybdenum tailings (MTs) with CaCO [...] Read more.
Silicon–calcium–potassium–magnesium fertilizer (Si–Ca–K–Mg fertilizer), a critical acidic soil conditioner for remediating polluted acidic soils, encounters a significant challenge: substantial potassium loss through flue gas during high–temperature calcination, which increases production costs. This study optimized the blending ratio of molybdenum tailings (MTs) with CaCO3 and CaSO4, systematically investigating the interplay between clinker–soluble potassium, volatile potassium loss, and total activated potassium content during calcination. Key findings include the large–scale utilization of molybdenum tailings; a mass ratio of mMTs:mCaCO3:mCaSO4 = 1:0.5:1.0 leads to a total activated K2O content of 3.05 wt.%. Enhancing nutrient efficiency by increasing the proportion of additives (with a mass ratio of 1:0.7:0.4) results in a total activated K2O content of 4.50 wt.%, which is 1.5 times the national standard. Mechanistically, calcination decomposes potassium feldspar (K–feldspar) in the tailings into leucite and SiO2. CaO derived from CaCO3 reacts with SiO2 to form calcium silicate, facilitating the decomposition of leucite into water–soluble kaliophilite. Simultaneously, thermal diffusion promotes the ion exchange between Ca2+ of CaSO4 and K+ of feldspar and leucite, thereby forming potassium sulfate. However, part of this potassium sulfate, along with some water–soluble kaliophilite, volatilizes at high temperatures, contributing to flue gas loss. Recycling the lost potassium back into fertilizers enables complete potassium utilization. This work establishes a robust framework for efficiently producing Si–Ca–K–Mg fertilizer from molybdenum tailings, addressing key challenges in potassium retention and resource recycling during industrial synthesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing)
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13 pages, 3439 KiB  
Article
New Insights for Improving Low-Rank Coal Flotation Performance via Tetrahydrofurfuryl Ester Collectors
by Xin Wang, Rui Ding, Xinyu Cui, Yonghong Qin, Gan Cheng, George Abaka-Wood and Enze Li
Minerals 2025, 15(1), 78; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15010078 - 15 Jan 2025
Viewed by 749
Abstract
With the advancement of large-scale coal development and utilization, low-rank coal (LRC) is increasingly gaining prominence in the energy sector. Upgrading and ash reduction are key to the clean utilization of LRC. Flotation technology based on gas/liquid/solid interfacial interactions remains an effective way [...] Read more.
With the advancement of large-scale coal development and utilization, low-rank coal (LRC) is increasingly gaining prominence in the energy sector. Upgrading and ash reduction are key to the clean utilization of LRC. Flotation technology based on gas/liquid/solid interfacial interactions remains an effective way to recover combustible materials and realize the clean utilization of coal. The traditional collector, kerosene, has demonstrated its inefficiency and environmental toxicity in the flotation of LRC. In this study, four eco-friendly tetrahydrofuran ester compounds (THF-series) were investigated as novel collectors to improve the flotation performance of LRC. The flotation results showed that THF-series collectors were more effective than kerosene in enhancing the LRC flotation. Among these, tetrahydrofurfuryl butyrate (THFB) exhibited the best performance, with combustible material recovery and flotation perfection factors 79.79% and 15.05% higher than those of kerosene, respectively, at a dosage of 1.2 kg/t. Characterization results indicated that THF-series collectors rapidly adsorbed onto the LRC surface via hydrogen bonding, resulting in stronger hydrophobicity and higher electronegativity. High-speed camera and particle image velocimeter (PIV) observation further demonstrated that THFB dispersed more evenly in the flotation system, reducing the lateral movement of bubbles during their ascent, lowering the impact of bubble wakes on coal particles, and promoting the stable adhesion of bubbles to the LRC surface within a shorter time (16.65 ms), thereby preventing entrainment effects. This study provides new insights and options for the green and efficient flotation of LRC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing)
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12 pages, 4933 KiB  
Article
Mineral Liberation and Concentration Characteristics of Apatite Comminuted by High-Pressure GRU
by Yongbo Fan, Genghao Zhang, Shihai Li, Li Zhang, Jianqiang Guo and Chun Feng
Minerals 2024, 14(11), 1148; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14111148 - 13 Nov 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 886
Abstract
Mineral liberation and concentration have always been the core issues in ore processing. The goal of multi-stage crushing and ball milling is liberation because mineral liberation is the foundation of beneficiation. High energy consumption and environmental pollution have always been unavoidable topics. We [...] Read more.
Mineral liberation and concentration have always been the core issues in ore processing. The goal of multi-stage crushing and ball milling is liberation because mineral liberation is the foundation of beneficiation. High energy consumption and environmental pollution have always been unavoidable topics. We put forward the method of high-pressure gas rapid unloading (GRU). Particle size followed MR-R distribution. The scanning electron microscopy data showed that the liberation of apatite particles smaller than 4 mm was sufficient by high-pressure GRU methods, and high-grade apatite concentrated in the particle size range of 0.5 to 4 mm. The average grade of the preferred particle size interval was 3%–5% higher than the original ore. Liberation degrees of apatite less than 4 mm are above 88%, which was beneficial for mineral processing. Compared to the traditional crushing method, the GRU method had a higher liberation and concentration in the particle size range of 0.5 to 4 mm. The total energy consumption was about 1.76 kW·h/t, less than that of the traditional crushing method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing)
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15 pages, 3180 KiB  
Article
Influence of Particle Size on Flotation Separation of Ilmenite and Forsterite
by Senpeng Zhang, Yaohui Yang, Donghui Wang, Weiping Yan and Weishi Li
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 1041; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14101041 - 17 Oct 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1109
Abstract
In addition to bubble–particle interaction, particle–particle interaction also has a significant influence on mineral flotation. Fine particles that coat the mineral surface prevent direct contact with collectors and/or air bubbles, thereby lowering flotation recovery. Calculating the particle interaction energy can help in evaluating [...] Read more.
In addition to bubble–particle interaction, particle–particle interaction also has a significant influence on mineral flotation. Fine particles that coat the mineral surface prevent direct contact with collectors and/or air bubbles, thereby lowering flotation recovery. Calculating the particle interaction energy can help in evaluating the interaction behavior of particles. In this study, the floatability of coarse ilmenite (−151 + 74 μm) and different particle sizes (−45 + 25, −25 + 19, −19 μm) of forsterite with NaOL as a collector was investigated. The results showed that forsterite sizes of −45 + 25 and −25 + 19 μm had no effect on the ilmenite floatability, whereas −19 μm forsterite significantly reduced ilmenite floatability. A particle size analysis of artificially mixed minerals and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of the flotation products showed that heterogeneous aggregation occurred between ilmenite and −19 μm forsterite particles. The extended DLVO (Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek) theory was applied to calculate the interaction energy between mineral particles using data from zeta potential and contact angle measurements. The results showed that the interaction barriers between ilmenite (−151 + 74 μm) and forsterite (−45 + 25, −25 + 19, and −19 μm) were 11.94 × 103 kT, 8.23 × 103 kT and 4.09 × 103 kT, respectively. Additionally, the interaction barrier between forsterite particles smaller than 19 μm was 0.51 × 103 kT. The strength of the barrier decreased as the size of the forsterite decreased. Therefore, fine forsterite particles and aggregated forsterite can easily overcome the energy barrier, coating the ilmenite particle surface. This explains the effect of different forsterite sizes on the floatability of ilmenite and the underlying mechanism of particle interaction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing)
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17 pages, 18056 KiB  
Article
New Insights into the Depressive Mechanism of Sodium Silicate on Bastnaesite, Parisite, and Fluorite: Experimental and DFT Study
by Jieliang Wang, Wenda Lu, Zhao Cao, Xu Wu, Peng Wang, Xiaoping Wang and Wenli Liu
Minerals 2024, 14(9), 870; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14090870 - 27 Aug 2024
Viewed by 939
Abstract
The surface properties of bastnaesite and parisite are similar to their associated gangue mineral, fluorite, which makes the flotation separation of these two rare earth minerals from fluorite one of the industry’s most significant challenges. This study systematically investigates the inhibitory effects and [...] Read more.
The surface properties of bastnaesite and parisite are similar to their associated gangue mineral, fluorite, which makes the flotation separation of these two rare earth minerals from fluorite one of the industry’s most significant challenges. This study systematically investigates the inhibitory effects and mechanisms of sodium silicate (SS) on bastnaesite, parisite, and fluorite in an octyl hydroxamic acid (OHA) collector system through flotation experiments, various modern analytical methods, and DFT simulations. The flotation test results indicate that the inhibition effects of SS on the three minerals are in the order: fluorite > parisite > bastnaesite. Detection and analysis results indicate that SS forms hydrophilic complexes with Ca atoms on the surfaces of fluorite and parisite, enhancing surface hydrophilicity and inhibiting OHA adsorption, but its impact on bastnaesite is relatively minor. DFT simulation results show that OHA forms covalent bonds with metal ions on mineral surfaces, favoring five-membered hydroxamic-(O-O)-Ce/Ca complexes, and reacts more strongly with Ce atoms than Ca atoms. SS primarily forms covalent bonds with metal atoms on mineral surfaces via the SiO(OH)3− component, and OHA and SS compete for adsorption on the mineral surfaces. OHA has a stronger affinity for bastnaesite, whereas SS shows the highest affinity for fluorite, followed by parisite, and the weakest affinity for bastnaesite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing)
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Review

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20 pages, 6163 KiB  
Review
Review on the Challenges of Magnesium Removal in Nickel Sulfide Ore Flotation and Advances in Serpentinite Depressor
by Fengxiang Yin, Chengxu Zhang, Yao Yu, Chenyang Lv, Zhengbo Gao, Bingang Lu, Xiaohui Su, Chunhua Luo, Xiangan Peng, Belinda McFadzean and Jian Cao
Minerals 2024, 14(10), 965; https://doi.org/10.3390/min14100965 - 25 Sep 2024
Viewed by 1134
Abstract
Nickel is an important raw metal material in industry, which has been identified as a strategic mineral resource by the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources. Nickel sulfide ore accounts for 40% of all nickel ores worldwide. However, magnesium silicate gangue minerals in [...] Read more.
Nickel is an important raw metal material in industry, which has been identified as a strategic mineral resource by the Chinese Ministry of Land and Resources. Nickel sulfide ore accounts for 40% of all nickel ores worldwide. However, magnesium silicate gangue minerals in sulfide nickel ores, particularly serpentine, pose significant challenges to the flotation of nickel sulfide ores. The presence of magnesium silicate gangue leads to a series of issues, including increased energy consumption in subsequent smelting processes, accelerated equipment wastage, and increased SO2 emissions, which severely impact the comprehensive utilization of nickel resources in sulfide nickel ores. In this regard, flotation depressants are the most direct and effective method to reduce adverse influences caused by magnesium silicate gangue in the flotation of nickel sulfide ore concentrate. Based on the characteristics of the typical magnesium-containing nickel sulfide ore, this review illustrates the difficulties of the depression of magnesium silicate gangue during the flotation of nickel sulfide ore and gives an overview of the common depressants from six aspects (chelation depressants, dispersion depressants, flocculation depressants, depressants for grinding, depressants for slurry adjustment and combination depressants). Each section summarizes the relevant depression mechanisms and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of various reagents, providing a reference for designing depressants specifically targeting serpentine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the 7th International Conference of Young Scholars in Mineral Processing)
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