Mining Of Metal Ores Research Articles

Fractal Analysis of Mining Wastewater Time Series Parameters: Balkhash Urban Region and Sayak Ore District

The population life and health quality are significantly reduced due to water resources pollution caused by heavy metals, especially in urban agglomerations located close to metal ore mining and processing facilities. The greatest environmental pollution occurs during the extraction of Cu, Zn, and Pb. In this study, a fractal R/S analysis of wastewater discharge indicators time series from a metal ore mining facility located in the Sayak ore district in the Republic of Kazakhstan (turbidity, electrical conductivity, flow magnitude, and pH level) was carried out. A sharp increase in the flow rate was recorded from 10 to 15 July 2024 and an increase in the electrical conductivity from 4 to 26 July 2024. However, the latest type of indicator assessment does not exceed the critical level for life. The presence of electrical conductivity indicators time series long-term memory and persistence was also recorded (the Hurst exponent for the electrical conductivity time series is fixed in the 0.56 to 0.59 range and does not go below the threshold value for randomness according to the Anis-Lloyd formula). Thus, the value-changing process is controlled and stable, and minor changes in turbidity indicate that these releases do not significantly harm the environment. Despite this, the results obtained do not allow for a comprehensive analysis of the state of releases as the data from all deposits is not available. Therefore, due to the time constraints of the data provided for analysis, it is difficult to fully assess the impact of specific metal ore mining facilities on the environmental safety of the Balkhash urban region. In addition, many studies indicate very high risks of chronic diseases for the population living in this region. The findings of this study enable us to conclude that the application of fractal analysis and the calculation of fractal characteristics for time series of emissions can serve as an indicator of the environmental status within the given area. This information can be used by environmental services to build reliable environmental pollution monitoring systems.

Recycling and Reutilization of Metals Aided by Deep Eutectic Solvents: from NMC Cathodes of Spent Li-ion Batteries to Electrolytes for Supercapacitors.

With the rapidly increasing demand for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), recycling the metals found in spent cathodes is mandatory to both alleviate shortages resulting from the mining of natural metal ores and manage the disposal of spent LIBs. The use of deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for metals recovery from spent cathodes of LIBs (e. g., LCO and NMC types) offers a sustainable yet efficient alternative to conventional hydrometallurgical processes. Nonetheless, g efforts are required to use milder temperatures and higher mass loadings, thus ensuring cost-effectiveness. In this latter regard, addressing the reutilization of DESs in subsequent stages of metal extraction, and streamlining or eliminating the chemical procedures employed for metal separation, is even more crucial to guarantee the economic feasibility of the recycling process. Herein, we have prepared a DES that provides extraction efficiencies of ca. 100 % for every metal of NMC cathodes even at mild experimental conditions (e. g., 60 °C) and for loadings as high as 70 mgNMC/gDES. Moreover, we have pioneered the direct use of leachates containing DESs and metals as electrolytes for supercapacitors. This approach enables the reintroduction of DESs and the recovered metals into the value chain with a minimal economic and environmental impact.

Microbial Sulfur and Arsenic Oxidation Facilitate the Establishment of Biocrusts during Reclamation of Degraded Mine Tailings.

Degraded tailings generated by the mining of metal ores are major environmental threats to the surrounding ecosystems. Tailing reclamation, however, is often impeded due to adverse environmental conditions, with depleted key nutrients (i.e., nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) and elevated sulfur and metal(loid) concentrations. Formation of biocrusts may significantly accelerate nutrient accumulation and is therefore an essential stage for tailing reclamation. Although suggested to play an important role, the microbial community composition and key metabolisms in biocrusts remain largely unknown and are therefore investigated in the current study. The results suggested that sulfur and arsenic oxidation are potential energy sources utilized by members of predominant biocrust bacterial families, including Beijerinckiaceae, Burkholderiaceae, Hyphomicrobiaceae, and Rhizobiaceae. Accordingly, the S and As oxidation potentials are elevated in biocrusts compared to those in their adjacent tailings. Biocrust growth, as proxied by chlorophyll concentrations, is enhanced in treatments supplemented with S and As. The elevated biocrust growth might benefit from nutrient acquisition services (i.e., nitrogen fixation and phosphorus solubilization) fueled by microbial sulfur and arsenic oxidation. The current study suggests that sulfur- and arsenic-oxidizing microorganisms may play important ecological roles in promoting biocrust formation and facilitating tailing reclamation.

Effect of OHS Criteria on Selection of Concrete Additives in Mine Ore Construction Works

Construction, mining or tunneling projects in Türkiye are defined as workplaces in the very dangerous class due to their physical power needs. For this reason, metal ore mining, mining supporting service activities, sewage, external construction, special construction activities, construction and landscaping activities are the sectors where occupational accidents are most common. While determining the necessary materials or work equipment during the planning phase of the works in these sectors, making decisions by evaluating the effect of "occupational health and safety" will contribute to the reduction of accidents. This research consists of two parts. In the first part, accident frequency rates were calculated by using data related to metal ore mining, mining supporting service activities, sewerage, external structure, special construction activities, building and landscaping projects between 2012 and 2019. Thus, the relationship between occupational accidents experienced as of the adoption of the Occupational Health and Safety Law has been determined. In the second part, it is tried to gain a different perspective by adding occupational health and safety factor to the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), which is one of the multi-criteria decision-making methods. As a result of the research, it has been determined that "occupational health and safety" criteria are given priority according to cost and engineering advantages in alternative product/material comparisons in mines or construction works.

Автоматизированная станция нейтрализации шахтных и подотвальных сбросов от ионов тяжелых металлов

The article describes a technological solution implemented as a fully automated station for neutralization of industrial wastewater that contains heavy metal ions, for example, water generated during mining of non-ferrous metal ores using underground or surface mining systems. This technology makes it possible to purify acidic wastewater from toxic metal ions, e.g. copper, zinc, iron to match the maximum permissible concentrations for fishery water bodies. The essence of the technology consists in saturation of the lime milk fed into the stream of adit effluents with carbon dioxide pumped together with the atmospheric air or produced by combustion of carbon-containing fuels. The presence of carbonate groups facilitates formation of practically insoluble dihydrocarbonates of heavy metals, particularly those of copper.

Resourceful futures: Integrating responsible mining and green education for sustainable development in developing and emerging economies

This paper examines the impact of coal mining efficiency, metal ore mining efficiency, and education spending on the sustainable development of ten Asian emerging and developing economies from 1995 to 2020. Results from CS-ARDL (Cross-sectional Augmented Autoregressive Distributed Lag) and ARDL models reveal that public education spending has no significant impact, while both coal mining efficiency and metal ore mining efficiency promote sustainability, with coal mining efficiency being the more influential factor due to its crucial role in manufacturing and power generation. Additionally, the challenges of larger populations and the variable alignment of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) with sustainability practices are noted. Key policy implications include the need to foster a digital green finance market, liberalize trade flows, develop a circular economy in the mining industry, and encourage green FDI in sustainable mining projects.

Empirical analysis of solutions for metal ore mining sustainability

This study investigates the long-term sustainability of the metal ore mining industry in 16 ASEAN+6 countries participating in the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA) during the period from 2005 to 2020. It focuses on the impact of various factors, including government spending on public education, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), inflation rates, green energy resilience, and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The empirical model employed logarithmic transformations and the ARDL approach to analyze the data. The results reveal that increased public education spending leads to a reduction in energy intensity within the metal ore mining sector, with more pronounced effects observed in the long term. FDI has a positive influence on energy intensity in both the short and long term, reflecting a complex relationship. Inflation rates impact energy intensity due to short-term cost pressures and long-term sustainability considerations. Green energy resilience is associated with reduced energy intensity, driven by immediate efficiency gains and long-term sustainability. However, there is a concerning link between CO2 emissions and higher energy intensity in the industry, attributed to energy-intensive processes, resource extraction, regulatory limitations, economic growth, and sustainability requirements. To enhance industry sustainability in CEPEA economies, a comprehensive policy framework is recommended, emphasizing principles of the circular economy, stringent green corporate management systems, promotion of green FDI, education for sustainable development, and the utilization of big data and artificial intelligence to reduce energy intensity.

MINERAL RENTS IN ARMENIA

The authors proposed a method for calculating mineral rents at the industry level and calculated mineral rents in the metal ore mining industry in Armenia for the period 2018-2022. We have revealed that the highest value of mineral rents was recorded in 2021, which is due to an increase in prices of the main raw materials that Armenia exports, despite a decrease in physical export volumes. The average value of the ratio of mineral rents to GDP for the same period ranged from 0.61% to 1.37%, and this ratio reached its maximum value in 2021. We come to the conclusion that mineral rents mainly reflect the global volatility of commodity prices, which affects the value of mineral rents, which means that Armenia needs a progressive royalty calculation system to eliminate price volatility and ensure additional budget revenues. We also come to the conclusion that the new hybrid royalty system, which entered into force on January 1, 2023, may be acceptable for the industry in terms of the fact that it will not be considered a heavy burden when prices rise on the world market based on the coefficients calculated by us.

Accumulation of Heavy Metals in the Needles of Scots Pine of the Semipalatinsk Pre-Irtysh Region and Burabay National Park

Relict bogs in the northeastern area of the Republic of Kazakhstan are located in close proximity to sources of heavy metal pollution – non-ferrous metal ore mining and processing facilities, and highways. Monitoring of heavy metal transport in the air by means of a bioindicator such as Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) is relevant for preventing the damaging effects of heavy metals on the population living in this region. The purpose of this article is to study pine needles (Pinus sylvestris L.) on the territory of the Semipalatinsk Irtysh region and the Burabay National Park to identify the features of the accumulation of heavy metals carried by atmospheric air flows, depending on the age of its formation. To determine the content of chemical elements in needles of the first, second and third year of formation from six experimental plots mass spectrometry method ISO 17294-2׃2003 was used. Its results made it possible to conduct a primary analysis of the accumulation of heavy metals in the needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) depending on the year of its formation. General scientific methods were also used in the analytical selection of the scientific literature to formulate the objectives of the experiments and to compare the results obtained with those of other authors. Experimental studies revealed a direct correlation between the increase in concentrations of individual metals and the age of the needles. Furthermore, an increase in concentrations of individual chemical elements has been detected in the conifers of the second year of formation. The findings can be used for further scientific research on the use of pine needles (Pinus sylvestris L.) as a bioindicator, the impact of the heavy metal composition of the north-east of Kazakhstan on plant organisms, but also used in practice to monitor the state of the environment and the management of forests.

Can firms achieve the collaborative governance of airborne pollution and greenhouse gases? Evidence from the Chinese industrial sector

The rapid global industrialization and urbanization processes, especially in developing countries, have caused serious environmental pollution and climate warming. The industrial sector, in which high energy consumption is its main feature, is an important source of airborne pollution and greenhouse gases. The effective realization of collaborative emission reduction in the industrial sector has become an important path worldwide to reduce pollution and carbon in the future. Based on matched data on industrial firms, this study uses a fixed effects model, the two-stage least squares method, quantile regression and an interaction regression model to explore the co-benefits of airborne pollution and greenhouse gas emission reduction from a microscale perspective. Benchmark analysis demonstrates that for every 1% decrease in the airborne pollution emissions of firms, the greenhouse gas emissions of firms decrease by approximately 0.014%. According to heterogeneity analysis, the electric power, heat production and supply industry; the coal mining and washing industry; the leather, fur, feather and related products industry; the ferrous metal ore mining and dressing industry; and the petroleum, coal and other fuel processing industry are ripe for reduction at lower costs. Furthermore, feasibility analysis reveals that firms' sulfur reduction behavior and the government's sulfur reduction legislation may result in collaborative greenhouse gas emission reductions while regulating airborne pollution. This research can help countries meet multiple emission reduction goals by facilitating the optimization of joint emission reduction methods that target numerous pollutants.

Lightweight LHD BEV Loader with an Individual Drive for Each Wheel

Abstract The paper is devoted to the construction and design solutions of the power supply and drive systems of a prototype, lightweight LHD (Load-Haul-Dump) loader with an innovative “in-wheel drive” transmission system. The loader is a Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) with replaceable energy storage. It is intended for use in underground mines with no explosion hazard, especially in metal ore mines. The developed model contains four independent, electric drive systems installed in the road wheels. The paper presents the results of simulation tests, which enabled estimating the required driving power and electricity demand in various regimes and working conditions of the loader. The results of the calculations were used to determine the parameters of the drive system components and the battery capacity. Challenges and problems faced by constructors of BEV LHD loaders with an in-wheel drive have been pointed out.

Stability Analysis of Gentle Dip Thick Ore Body Mining Based on the Integration of SURPAC-FLAC3D

Issues of large exposed roof area, poor stability, and significant roof support workload are prevalent in the mining of metal ores with gently inclined thick bodies. In response to these challenges, a downward cemented fill mining method has been proposed to enhance the stability of the surrounding rock and filling body. By integrating SURPAC and FLAC3D software, a three-dimensional numerical model that conforms to the actual geological morphology of the mining area was established. Numerical calculation results indicate that after the first stage of ore body excavation, the surrounding rock settlement mainly occurs in the roof and the hanging wall of the -65m level, with the hanging wall settlement primarily concentrated between the 3rd and 4th vertical exploration lines. The filling body demonstrates a weak compressive stress capacity, leading to a gradual transition of compressive stress to the surrounding rock of the mine stope. As the excavation level increases, the compressive stress on the pillars also increases, forming a compressive stress concentration area at the -65m level. A mixed plastic zone of shear and tension is generated in the roof and hanging wall, while a shear plastic zone is present in the inter-pillar area. The findings of this study offer valuable insights to ensure the safety of mining in gently inclined thick ore bodies.

Local governance of the mining industry—five Finnish examples

In this article local governance of mining from the perspective of Finnish municipalities is examined. Local governance refers to the guidance of the local development of mining and its positive and negative effects in the interaction between different actors. At the time of this study, one of the themes of the Finnish mining debate was how the municipality should prepare for the entry of a mining project into its area. In addition, there was talk about whether, why, and how the mining company should be involved in the development of the area. The situation was new, as it was decades since the previous construction of new mines. Article is based on a qualitative case studies on five Finnish municipalities with metal ore mining was operated or planned. These case studies are examined retrospectively be asking what was desired at that time, what responsibilities and duties between municipalities and mining companies were seen, and to whom did they belong? The article evaluates the situation immediately after the Finnish mining boom.The role of the municipality as a political actor in mining development was different in each case. The main question was whether to handle mining development as a political issue or whether to take it as granted as a neutral industrial issue. It was clear that the mining companies were expected to develop a completely new kind of dialogue with the surrounding society and the local governments. Environmental issues and impacts caused the largest discussions in the local level.According to this research, municipalities must multi-task between the land-use planning, local governance of social and environmental issues, and economic development. Municipalities must take and manage risks, just like mining companies. For these municipalities the mining boom raised various controversial issues and economic challenges. Many ideas about solutions have to date progressed to a broader societal debate. Now these issues are on display e.g., in the context of the Mining Act reform discussions. It can be said that the mining boom challenged the actors to develop cooperation, proactive collaborative operating models and to reform the methods of environmental impact assessments. They have also given greater weight to social impact assessment and the issue of developing it as an independent process.

A multi-millennial record of rock glacier ice chemistry (Lazaun, Italy)

Active rock glaciers—known as mixtures of unconsolidated debris with interstitial ice, ice lenses or a core of massive ice—are widespread indicators of mountain permafrost. The age of a frozen rock glacier core in the Central European Alps (Lazaun, Italy) was dated to about 10,000 years. Here we report on the chemical composition of the frozen Lazaun core. The ice containing part of the core extended from about 2.8 m down to 24 m depth and consisted of two lobes—both a mix of ice and debris, separated by more than 3 m thick almost ice-free layer. The two lobes of the core showed layers of high solute content and peak values of electrical conductivity exceeding 1,000 μS/cm, but they differed in acidity and metal concentration. High acidity (minimum pH of 4.15) and high levels of elements like nickel, cobalt, zinc, manganese, iron and aluminum characterized the upper lobe, while neutral to alkaline pH and low metal values prevailed in the bottom lobe. We attributed solutes accumulated in the ice matrix to the weathering of bedrock minerals, with peak values favored by the oxidation of pyrite, or by an enhanced reactive surface area in fine-grained sediment layers. The chemical composition of the ice core also revealed signals of prehistoric atmospheric deposition from different sources including wood combustion, metal ore mining, and large volcanic eruptions (Thera, Aniakchak II). To our knowledge, this is the first study that presents the chemical stratigraphy of an entire rock glacier ice core.

Industrial effluents of mining enterprises of the North Caucasus and water resources

Subject of research. The article is devoted to the problem of preserving the quality of the global water resources under the threat of its deterioration caused by industrial effluents polluting the hydrosphere. Research objective is to establish the patterns of changes in water resources state and carry out the ecological detailing of the mechanism for managing water quality and protecting water resources. Methods of research include the generalization and systematization of reported data and literature on the aquatic environment condition in the metallic ore mining regions and methods of mine effluents treatment, laboratory experiments on electrochemical treatment of mineralized effluents to restore their quality, recommendations for improving the management of the aquatic environment state. Research results and scope. A distinctive feature of the problem for regions with mountainous terrain is indicated. The surroundings of mining enterprises were ranked according to metal pollution. The research results on the effluents state at non-ferrous metallurgy facilities are presented. The results of research by the precipitation curve method are summarized. The laboratory experiment results are shown on electrochemical treatment of mineralized effluents and their quality restoration. The direction is indicated of improving the economic efficiency of effluents treatment by increasing by-products output. A technology with the generation of self-neutralizing agents is recommended. It has been established that in the case of heavy metal pollution, the extent of the pollution bubble is determined by the processes of chemicals mixing and dilution. Conclusions. The management of water resources quality and industrial effluents pollution prevention should begin with the establishment of patterns of change in their state as well as with the control mechanism detailing in mountainous terrain.

Hydrometallurgical processes in underground metal ore mining

Hydrometallurgical processes in underground metal ore mining

Consumption structure optimization for reducing energy footprint

To investigate how to obtain the optimal balance between energy consumption and economic development, this paper proposes a multifactor optimization model (MFOM). Different from previous input–output optimization models, our proposed MFOM comprehensively considers the direct and indirect impacts of sectoral consumption activities on total energy consumption. The results show that MFOM achieves higher energy-saving goals by smaller adjustment to consumption activities than the previous input–output optimization models do. The results also show that the consumption of some products should be limited to achieve the energy-saving and economic growth goals, such as Non-ferrous Metal Ore Mining, Chemical Products and Ferrous Metal Ore Processing. Furthermore, the results indicate that the share of some sectors, especially high-level manufacturing sectors, significantly decreases in the consumption structure after optimization. To maintain the sustainable development of these sectors, the dependence of their production activities on energy-intensive products should be reduced.

Uptake of lead and zinc from soil by blackberry plants (Rubus fruticosus L. agg.) and translocation from roots to leaves

• Pb and Zn in soil ofa the Innerste floodplain exceed precautionary limits. • Concentrations of Pb and Zn in soils and blackberries are positively correlated. • Uptake and translocation of Pb and Zn are reduced at higher soil levels. • R. fruticosus is a useful bioindicator but unsuited for phytoremediation. Heavy metals transported by rivers are deposited in sediments and floodplains, and floodplain soils act as both sinks and sources of these metals. The Innerste River is contaminated by historical metal ore mining, processing, and smelting in the Harz Mountains (Germany). Our study compared the uptake of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) in wild blackberries ( Rubus fruticosus L. agg.) growing within and outside the Innerste floodplain in a downstream area. The potential of blackberries as bioindicators and for phytoremediation of soils polluted by Pb and Zn was assessed based on bioconcentration factors (BCF) and the intra-plant mobility of the two metals based on translocation (TF) factors. Concentrations of Pb and Zn were significantly higher in soils and blackberry plants from the Innerste floodplain compared to adjacent non-flooded area, while soil pH and organic matter content did not differ significantly between the two zones. Mean concentrations (mg/kg d.w.) of Pb (1457.2) and Zn (1365.2) in the regularly flooded soils far exceeded the precautionary limits of the German Federal Soil Protection and Contaminated Sites Ordinance. Concentrations of both heavy metals in blackberry roots and leaves increased with their levels in soil. Except for BCF Root Pb, BCFs and TFs decreased exponentially with increasing heavy metal concentration in soil and roots, respectively. This indicates that the uptake of Pb and Zn by R. fruticosus and their translocation within the plant are reduced at higher soil levels of both heavy metals. BCF < 1 were determined for both heavy metals and a TF < 1 for Pb. Only blackberries growing outside the floodplain showed a TF > 1 for Zn. Our results indicate that blackberries can be used as bioindicators of soil contamination by Pb and Zn. Regarding their uptake characteristics, blackberries constitute excluders rather than accumulators, and are thus unsuited for phytoremediation.

Analysis of the Structural Possibilities of the Russian Economy

The structural possibilities of the Russian economy are considered in order to determine its structural possibilities. The study is based on a systematic approach using the method of statistical and neural network analysis. The article shows the limited structural capacity of the Russian economy by a highly concentrated commodity market. Also, high values of the growth rate of turnover of organizations producing vehicles and equipment, as well as computers, electronic and optical products were established. The paper notes a significant increase in investments at the expense of the population and the budgets of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation in the face of a significant decrease in loans from foreign banks and investments from abroad. A high concentration of the Russian market in raw materials was established – ​mining and enrichment of iron ores; production of coke and oil products; mining of non-ferrous metal ores, etc. The position of the government of the Russian Federation as a net creditor, stimulating the emergence of organizations related to state administration and military security, and dooming the activities of households to liquidation is highlighted. The presented studies develop the competence of members of the Russian government in assessing the structural possibilities of economic growth and the choice of methods and directions of development. It is shown that the structural possibilities of the Russian economy, limited by a highly concentrated commodity market and the government's position as a net creditor, orient the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of the Russian Federation to stimulate the activity of development institutions.

Heavy metal pollution characteristics and potential ecological risk assessment of soils around three typical antimony mining areas and watersheds in China

China is the largest antimony resource globally. The mining and smelting of antimony will inevitably have a significant impact on the surrounding and downstream farmlands of the mining area, Therefore, it is necessary to understand the pollution characteristics of antimony and evaluate its potential environmental risks. In this paper, three typical antimony mining areas were used as research districts to analyze the contents of heavy metals in soils of the mining areas and watersheds. The single-factor pollution index method, Nemerow comprehensive pollution index method, geo-accumulation index method, and potential ecological risk index method were used to comprehensively evaluate the pollution status and ecological risk of heavy metals in soils around the mining areas. The soil around the Lengshuijiang tin mine was polluted by As, Cd, Zn, and Sb, it was a heavily polluted soil and at a high ecological risk level. The arable soil around the Nandan tea mountain antimony mine was polluted by As, Cd, Cu, Pb, Sb, and Zn, and it was a heavily polluted soil with very high ecological risk level. The soil around the Xunyang antimony mine was mainly polluted by Sb and it was a moderately polluted soil with moderate ecological risk level. The results revealed that the overall soil heavy metal levels in the Lengshuijiang mining area and the Nandan mining area were in a high-risk state, most likely due to the mining and smelting of metal ores and the weathering of mineralised rocks. showing a high-potential ecological risk in these mining areas. We expect to provide a scientific basis for the safe utilization of farmland and pollution control around the antimony mining areas and watersheds in China.