Valorization of Metallurgical and Mining Residues and Wastes

Dear Colleagues,

The objective of this Special Issue is to offer an updated and profound view of recent advances in the reuse of mining and metallurgical secondary materials/byproducts/wastes, as well as to offer a complete view of the improvements in the processes involved, such as new process routes and chemical routes that concern the recovery of strategic materials, i.e., rare earth metals and manufacture of new materials that can lead to a greener environmental footprint.

Mining and metallurgical activities generate high volumes of secondary materials, in other words, byproducts such as slags, mining wastes, sludges, dusts, ore processing tailings, and leaching residues, which in several cases are damped or released “as they are” or after post-treatment to the environment. Many of them can be used after proper processing as potential raw materials. Moreover, in several cases, for their creation, consumption of major natural resources is required. Therefore, they are associated with a significant environmental footprint. Mining and metallurgical secondary material/byproducts/wastes should not be disposed of but utilized or if possible valorized both from an economic and environmental point of view. Recycling/utilization is an essential aspect of the circular economy in order “to close the loop”.

Prof. Dr. Luis Pérez Villarejo
Prof. Dr. George Angelopoulos
Guest Editors

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