Application of membrane processes in mining and mineral processing

Marinela Panayotova,Vladko Panayotov,S Semerikov,H Danylchuk,P Nechypurenko,S Klimov,T Vakaliuk,V Osadchyi,S Chukharev,S Sakhno,A Iatsyshyn,A Striuk,O Bondarenko

doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202128008016

Marinela Panayotova, Vladko Panayotov + Show 11 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202128008016

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Abstract

Sustainable mining and mineral processing is of paramount importance for producing metals needed for our society development. Membrane processes are able to contribute to the comprehensive extraction of metals from mined ores, while at the same time decrease the amounts of used water and reagents and ensure discharge to the environment of wastewater meeting the legislation requirements. Membranebased technologies are still underused in metals obtaining although their development and price have made their application affordable. The paper presents in brief membrane processes and displays examples of their application in various areas of mining and mineral processing, such as coping with acid mine drainage and mine influenced water, recovery of metals, reagents and water in hydrometallurgy, recovery of lithium from brines, and treatment of wastewater. Emphasis is placed on pressure driven membrane processes, as well as on the very recent studies in the area. Advantages of membrane processes application in mining and mineral processing are pointed out as well as constrains to be overcome.

Highlights

The sustainable development of our society and our normal life needs metals - ferrous, nonferrous and minor
When sulphide minerals, such as pyrite are disturbed by mining activities and exposed to oxygen and water chemical reactions take place - leading to formation of acidic water containing sulphates and ions of various metals in elevated concentrations, i.e. the so called acid mine drainage (AMD) is formed
That is why this paper aims at shedding some light on the opportunities presented by the membrane processes for more profound use of resources and sustainable production of metals, with an emphasis on the recent (3-4) years

Summary

Introduction

The sustainable development of our society and our normal life needs metals - ferrous, nonferrous and minor. Ores extraction by mining and metals extraction by mineral processing and/or hydrometallurgy are related with generation and /or use of different aqueous streams When sulphide minerals, such as pyrite are disturbed by mining activities and exposed to oxygen and water chemical reactions take place - leading to formation of acidic water containing sulphates and ions of various metals in elevated concentrations, i.e. the so called acid mine drainage (AMD) is formed. When it is not treated, the AMD can result in a considerable pollution to both soil and groundwater [1]. Membrane technologies have been and are being studied for removing and concentrating different metals from AMD [2,3,4,5]

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