Research on Metal Resource Recycling and Efficient Extraction Technologies
A special issue of Separations (ISSN 2297-8739). This special issue belongs to the section "Separation Engineering".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 July 2026 | Viewed by 50
Special Issue Editors
Interests: research and development of coal-based carbon materials; recovery of strategic metals from coal; degradation of organic matter in wastewater
Interests: extraction of valuable metals
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The sustainable management of metal resources has become a global priority due to escalating industrial demand, dwindling primary ore reserves, and increasing environmental concerns associated with traditional mining and metallurgical processes. Efficient recycling and extraction of metals from secondary sources, such as electronic waste, industrial byproducts, and end-of-life products, are crucial to achieving a circular economy and reducing ecological footprints. However, challenges such as low recovery rates, high energy consumption, and complex material compositions hinder the optimization of these processes. Innovative technologies, including hydrometallurgy, bioleaching, solvent extraction, and advanced electrochemical methods, are emerging as promising solutions to enhance metal recovery efficiency while minimizing environmental impact.
This Special Issue focuses on cutting-edge research and technological advancements in metal resource recycling and efficient extraction methods. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: novel leaching and separation techniques for critical and precious metals; sustainable processing of urban mines and industrial waste streams; development of high-performance adsorbents, ion-exchange resins, and solvent extraction systems; thermodynamic and kinetic studies of metal recovery processes; life cycle assessment and environmental impact analysis of recycling technologies; and AI-driven optimization and digitalization in metallurgical processes. We welcome original research articles, comprehensive reviews, and case studies that contribute to the advancement of sustainable metal resource utilization. Authors are encouraged to share their findings to foster innovation and promote greener metallurgical practices worldwide.
Dr. Qiongqiong He
Dr. Keji Wan
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- metal recycling
- sustainable metallurgy
- circular economy
- hydrometallurgy
- electronic waste (e-waste)
- resource efficiency
- life cycle assessment (LCA)
- AI-driven optimization
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