Chemical Processing Development for Radioactive Minerals Processing Facility: A Circular Economy Model

Abstract

The minerals and metals industries are vital in the world’s economy, yet their use of resources and waste generation pose considerable issues. The circular economy is a concept that establishes the foundation for economic operations that are carried out to run sustainably and to promote economic welfare, which in turn leads to an improvement in environmental quality. This paper offers a comprehensive literature analysis on the principles and efficacy of circular economy in mineral processing, specifically focusing on radioactive minerals. This research aims to develop a circular economy model that preserves resources, reduces waste production, and complies with regulatory rules on radioactive waste management. The study outlines a clear and structured circular economy model consisting of four modules: sample preparation, decomposition, partial extraction, and total precipitation. Each module integrates energy efficiency, heat recovery, renewable energy, water reuse, and chemical recycling. The validated model provides a roadmap for implementing circular economy principles in processing radioactive materials, contributing to achieving sustainable development goals. The government's agenda in pursuit of the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) can be aided by this model. This study suggests that reducing resource use and the volume of material, energy, and waste generated by technological processes can be achieved while still maintaining quality. That concept brings about a change in the mindset of designing a mineral processing installation. Based on the result of this study, further study may be focused on implementing strategies for each module of the studied object.