Recent Advances in Metallurgical Extractive Processes

Dear Colleagues,

Due to the accelerated growth in the population and emerging economies, there is a high demand for critical metals, which are indispensable for manufacturing advanced technology, green technology, and the development of emerging industries. Mining extractive processes are fundamental activities for the production of raw materials and the economy of several countries. For example, copper mining contributes 10% of the GDP in Chile and generates more than 500,000 jobs. However, at present, this industry is facing varied challenges, such as:

• A decrease in average mineral grades;
• Complex mineralogies with a high presence of gangue and clays;
• Subsequent increases in production costs;
• Excessive generation of environmental liabilities, mainly flotation tailings;
• Scarcity of aquifer water and government restrictions for its use in production processes;
• A need to reduce the costs of electrical supply. As a result, it then becomes necessary to generate novel extractive metallurgical processes that must focus on:
• Increasing the recovery of metals from conventional processes;
• Diversifying the extraction of other elements and obtain byproducts from the main commodity that can be exploited (one example is the enormous growth in the molybdenum industry, which is obtained as a byproduct of copper flotation processes);
• Generating new operational strategies for essential resources, such as water and electricity;
• Reusing industrial waste and establishing procedures for its remediation.

We cordially invite the submission of scientific articles to this Special Issue that are focused on the research areas of leaching, solvent extraction, electrowinning, flotation, thickening, pyrometallurgy, and waste treatment and reuse.

Dr. Norman Toro
Dr. Edelmira Gálvez
Dr. Ricardo Jeldres
Topic Editors