Non-ferrous Metal Industry Research Articles

Behavior and effect of calcium during hydrothermal sulfidation and flotation of zinc-calcium-based neutralization sludge

Neutralization sludge (NS), a calcium-based heavy metal waste, was produced in large quantities during wastewater treatment using lime milk neutralization in the nonferrous metal industry. During hydrothermal sulfidation and flotation of NS, the phase transition of calcium compounds might play a crucial role in the subsequent flotation for low metal recovery. During hydrothermal sulfidation, calcium minerals in NS were converted and further developed into bulk CaSO4 crystals with many nano-ZnS crystals adhering on its surface. Specifically, the conversion of CaCO3 into CaSO4 could accelerate the sulfidation of NS. However, the presence of CaSO4 could slow the growth rate of ZnS crystals, which imposes a negative effect on subsequent flotation. CaSO4 crystals with irregular shapes and incomplete crystallization combined with nano-ZnS crystals were frequently observed in concentrates after flotation, whereas CaSO4 crystals of regular shape and high crystallinity were mainly discovered in tailings, indicating that modifying the crystalline nature and texture of CaSO4 crystals is a feasible method for separating ZnS and CaSO4 and for increasing metal recovery. Furthermore, the adsorption of collectors on CaSO4 was hardly detected, indicating that CaSO4 barely competed with ZnS for collectors during flotation.

The effects of M&As in highly concentrated domestic vis-à-vis export markets: By the example of Russian metal industries

Event studies are employed in order to assess the impact of external shocks and internal decisions not only on the value of a company that is directly affected by the event but also on the environment that is influenced by a company's decision, including competition in the product market. The impact of a merger on market competition depends on before-merger market structure and competition. Goal of this study is to test the ability of financial markets to take into account initial competition conditions and the applicability of event study method for the assessment of merger effects for different product markets (export vs. domestic, more or less competitive), and for different types of mergers (horizontal vs. vertical). We examine deals among large companies, supplying in two markets with a substantially different degree of competition, and analyze the impact of a merger on industrial customers as well as merging companies and their competitors by the example of Russian ferrous and non-ferrous metal industries from 1999 to 2011. Two findings distinguish this paper from others in the contemporary literature: the application of event study methodology for the assessment of competitive effects of mergers involving Russian companies and the comparison of competitive and efficiency effects of vertical and horizontal mergers between participants of the same product market. The main result is that event studies are sensitive to the structure and the organization of product market affected.

Fast heating thermal shock test for β-SiAlON with molten metals as heating medium

A novel fast heating thermal shock test (FHTST) was carried out to evaluate the thermal shock behaviour of pressureless sintered β-SiAlON. Molten nonferrous metals, including molten Sn and Al, were used as the heating medium for the FHTST. The retained strength and Vickers crack propagation of the samples after the FHTST were evaluated. For comparison, a quenching thermal shock test (QTST) with room temperature water was also carried out. The differences between the FHTST and QTST for the β-SiAlON ceramic were investigated. For the FHTST with molten metal, the retained strength showed no decrease and Vickers cracks did not propagate with a temperature difference (ΔT) up to 900°C. However, for the QTST with room temperature water, the retained strength reduced sharply at the ΔT larger than 600°C and the indentation cracks propagated significantly. The finite element method (FEM) calculation showed that the differences between FHTST and QTST results could be caused by the different stress status (compressive stress or tensile stress) on the surface. FHTST with molten metal would be a suitable thermal shock evaluating method for the ceramics used in nonferrous metals industry.

Взаимные прямые инвестиции России и ЕС в металлургии

The article is devoted to the analysis of mutual direct investments in Russia and the EU in steel industry and nonferrous metal industry after the beginning of the global financial crisis. The author notes a great importance of the EU market for Russian companies in their foreign expansion. In particular in steel industry the EU market plays a key role as the North American market does. In nonferrous metal industry the importance of the EU market is reduced due to lack of developed raw material sources within the EU and due to the diversification of foreign activity of Russian companies. The author notes that a reduction of mutual direct investments began after 2008. Russian companies have focused their activities on their own enterprises in Russia because of high debt leverage. The crisis has also resulted in an appearance of new crisis strategies of Russian metallurgical companies for European assets. These crisis strategies include sale of assets, suspension of production and strategic partner search. Traditional strategies of foreign investing were relevant during the crisis. The modernization of production was the most applied strategy. Buying up of core assets was also applied. European investments in Russia were made mainly by creating new production capacity frequently including joint ventures with Russian companies. European investors along with investments introduced new technologies and equipment into Russian metallurgy. The article notes that because of the crisis the number of capital investment projects including European companies was reduced. The author notes that the EU will remain the key area for Russian metallurgical companies if the situation in global metallurgical markets will improve and sanctions against Russia will be lifted off. Acknowledgments. The article has been supported by a grant of the Russian Science Foundation (project № 14-28-00097 “The optimization of Russian foreign investment ties in the context of deteriorating relations with the EU”).

A decomposition analysis of carbon dioxide emissions in the Chinese nonferrous metal industry

The nonferrous metal industry (NMI) of China consumes large amounts of energy and associated emissions of carbon dioxide (CO 2) are very high. Actions to reduce CO 2 emissions and energy consumption are warranted. This study aims to analyze current China NMI trends of CO 2 emissions and energy consumption including the underlying regional driver characteristics. We analyze the changes of CO 2 emissions in the NMI based on the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) method from 2000 to 2011. Then, a classification system is used to study the regional differences in emission changes from the NMI. The results show that the emissions of the Chinese NMI increased rapidly at an average annual growth rate of 31 million metric tons. The economic scale and energy intensity are the main driving factors responsible for the change in the emissions, while carbon emission coefficients make only a small contribution toward decreasing the emissions, and the energy structure has a volatile effect. Emissions and energy intensity of 29 China provinces were divided into five categories. The change in the trend of each region is indicated in this paper. Hebei is one of the provinces that achieved the best performance, and Chongqing achieved the worst performance among all of the regions. The analysis suggests that the main emphasis of CO 2 emission mitigation should be focused on controlling the economic scale and improving the energy intensity. Developing the use of clean energy technologies and policies in both the NMI and power industries is important.

The Limit of Kirin Factory Ore Body by the Dynamic Multi-Plans in Huize Lead-Zinc Mine

Huize lead-zinc mine is one of the typical representative of large rich lead-zinc deposits in the Sichuan-Yunnan-Guizhou lead-zinc mineralization district. It plays a key role in the development of Yunnan non-ferrous metals industry. In this paper, on the basis of enough analysis and research to Kirin factory Ore Body’s geologic feature in Huize lead-zinc mines, using reasonable economic parameters, combined with the actual situation of the orebody and break-even analysis, optimizing cut-off grade, it delineates the ore body by breakeven grade and comprehensive grade and achieves a dynamic multi-plans orebody for the purpose of the service life of mine.

Analysis of potential energy conservation and CO2 emissions reduction in China's non-ferrous metals industry from a technology perspective

As the world's largest producer and consumer of ten kinds of non-ferrous metals, China's non-ferrous metals industry accounts for 4.39% of total national energy consumption. It is an energy-intensive industry that faces great challenges related to energy consumption and global climate change. Applying energy-efficient technologies may be a useful strategy for the development of this industry. This paper establishes a technology system within the LEAP model to estimate energy conservation and CO2 emissions abatement potentials for China's non-ferrous metals industry in 2010–2020. Five smelting processes are considered for aluminum, copper, lead, zinc and magnesium. Three scenarios (BAU, LT and HT) are set to simulate different technological policies and calculate abatement potentials. The results indicate that energy consumption and CO2 emissions will continue to grow rapidly as the sector develops. Energy consumption under the BAU scenario will reach 88.15million tce in 2020, 61% higher than in 2010. A maximum of 7.73million tce of energy can be saved and 36.86million tons of CO2 can be reduced under the strongest technology policy scenario (HT) compared to BAU. Energy conservation in aluminum, magnesium, zinc, copper and lead smelting processes account for 72.9%, 13.2%, 10.2%, 2.6% and 1.1% respectively of the total energy savings potential, while the CO2 abatement potential mostly comes from aluminum, which accounts for 86% of the total. Targeted technology policies should be made for different metals: in the aluminum sector for instance, large scale aluminum electrolytic cells above 300kA, new cathode structures and intelligent optimization control technologies could be employed; in the zinc industry, direct leaching and long period electric-deposition could be utilized; in the magnesium industry, new types of kilns could be introduced.

Industrial Cluster Competitiveness Evaluation Model Research Based on Entropy Weight TOPSIS Method

Existing competitiveness evaluation methods of industrial clusters is too subjective and can’t be a true reflection of its core competencies; evaluation index is not uniform and can’t form a competitiveness evaluation index system. We took non-ferrous metal industry cluster of Shaanxi Province as an example, built a competitive assessment model of industrial clusters from scale, market, innovation, and efficiency competitiveness. We used Entropy-TOPSIS method to analyze. The results show that Entropy-TOPSIS method is more objective and matches the actual development in the evaluation of industrial clusters competitiveness.

Zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) for the treatment of smelting wastewater: A pilot-scale demonstration

Abstract Smelting wastewater from non-ferrous metal industry is highly toxic due to the presence of concentrated arsenic (up to 1000 mg/L) and a varied number of heavy metal ions. A pilot experiment was conducted to study the treatment of smelting wastewater using zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI). The process consisted of two sequential nZVI treatment units; each had an nZVI reactor, a clarifier and an nZVI recirculation pump. nZVI was mixed with wastewater in the reactor, settled in the clarifier and returned by recirculation pump. The experiment was operated at 400 L/h and 35,000 L of wastewater was treated using 75 kg nZVI. Removal efficiency of arsenic was greater than 99.9% and the average removal capacity was 239 mg-As/g-Fe. All metal ions, such as Cu, Zn and Ni, were reduced to less than 0.1 mg/L simultaneously. Analyses of the reacted nZVI from pilot reactor revealed extraordinarily high content of arsenic. X-ray diffraction suggested that Fe 3 (AsO 4 ) 2 precipitation played an important role for arsenic removal. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the multi-valence state of arsenic, the reduced form of copper and chromium on nZVI surface. The high efficacy of nZVI was attributed to its large surface-to-mass ratio, the recirculation design and the in situ deposition of copper. The diminished size of nZVI offered great convenience in process control and operation. The nZVI process was scalable and the success of this pilot test approved the construction of a full-scale wastewater treatment plant in which the same nZVI process was applied.

An Empirical Study on Impacts of Environmental Regulation on Environmental Information Disclosure of Listed Companies of China: Based on Researches on Listed Companies in Nonferrous Metal Industry

With rapid development of economy, environmental pollution becomes increasingly serious, which not only affects quality of our life but also threatens our living conditions. Since the 1990s, the percentage that Chinese listed companies’ voluntary environmental information disclosure has increased to a larger extent and the content disclosed by many enterprises has gone beyond scope required by laws. Under this background, this paper combines with current status of environment information disclosure of Chinese listed companies, takes listed companies of non-ferrous metal industry in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2006 to 2011 as samples, and studies impacts of environmental information disclosure system and environmental regulation intensity on environmental information disclosure. In addition, it carries out empirical tests on sample data of companies and implements robustness tests on regression results to exclude influence of differences between new and old criterion on comparability of accounting data. By virtue of positive analysis, it is found that corporate features like scale of company, financial risk, growth ability and profitability have great influence on environment information disclosure, and implementation of environment information disclosure and environmental regulation intensity have significant impacts on environment information disclosure.

Performance analysis of CO2 emissions and energy efficiency of metal industries in China

Nonferrous metal industries play an important role in China's national economy and are some of the country's largest energy consumers. To better understand the nature of CO2 emissions from these industries and to further move towards low-carbon development in this industry sector, this study investigates the CO2 emissions of 12 nonferrous metal industries from 2003 to 2010 based on their life-cycle assessments. It then classifies these industries into four “emission–efficiency” types through cluster analysis. The results show that (1) the industrial economy and energy consumption of China's nonferrous metal industries have grown rapidly, although their recent energy consumption rate shows a declining trend. (2) The copper, aluminum, zinc, lead, and magnesium industries, classified as high-emission industries, are the main contributors of CO2 emissions. The results have implications for policy decisions that aim to enhance energy efficiency, particularly for promoting the transformation of low-efficiency industries to high-efficiency ones. The study also highlights the important role of policy development in technological innovations, optimization, and upgrades, the reduction of coal proportion in energy consumption, and the advancement of new energy sources.

Need for database extension for reliable identification of bacteria from extreme environments using MALDI TOF mass spectrometry

AbstractThe ability of MALDI TOF MS (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry) to identify cultivable microflora from two waste disposal sites from non-ferrous metal industry was analysed. Despite the harsh conditions (extreme pH values and heavy metal content in red mud disposal site from aluminium production or high heavy metal content in nickel sludge), relatively high numbers of bacteria were recovered. In both environments, the bacterial community was dominated by Gram-positive bacteria, especially by actinobacteria. High-quality MALDI TOF mass spectra were obtained but most of the bacteria isolates could be not identified using MALDI Biotyper software. The overall identification rate was lower than 20 %; in two of the environments tested identification rates were lower than 10 %. As a dominant bacterial species, Microbacterium spp. in drainage water from an aluminium red mud disposal site near Žiar nad Hronom, Bacillus spp. in red mud samples from the same site, and Arthrobacter spp. from nickel smelter sludge near Sereï were identified by a combination of the Biolog system and 16S rRNA sequence analysis. As the primary focus of the MALDI TOF MS-based methodology is directed towards medically important bacteria, reference database spectra expansion and refinement are needed to improve the ability of MALDI TOF MS to identify environmental bacteria, especially those from extreme environments.

資源変遷に対応した焼結鉱の品質と作り込み技術 −焼結100年の歩み，そして未来へ−

For purpose of recycling dust generated in the integrated steel works, sintering process has been applied and developed from dust treatment technology in non-ferrous metal industry in 1910’s. Additional to dust low Fe grade ore has also been utilized as raw material in sintering process.In 1960’s, increasing demand of iron and steel products caused shortage of lump iron ore, which was the driving force for full-blown development of sintering process. At last "Self-flux sinter" which has higher reducibility compared to lump iron ore has been invented. "Self-flux sinter" is utilized the phenomenon of forming liquid phase from fine iron ore with lime stone.After "Self-flux sinter" invention, this process has been researched and developed eagerly for view point of chemical compositions, texture (mineral, pore), and sinter quality. Furthermore, standard method of sinter quality evaluation has been established, which was utilized for process advance by texture control in divided region.Based on previous research, further development theme in future will be introduced in personal vision.

China's Nonferrous Metals Industry and Implications for Korea-China FTA Negotiations

Korea and China have promoted a bilateral FTA since 2005 to upgrade their economic relationships. If the Korea-China FTA is concluded, then trade between the two countries is likely to involve substantial changes both quantitatively and qualitatively. Offer lists submitted by Korea include steel, petrochemicals and machinery and those by China include some agricultural and marine products as well as nonferrous metals. Korea's interest in the Korea-China FTA has focused mainly on damage to the agricultural sector and there have been a lot of studies on the effects of the FTA on Korean agricultural sector. However, little is known about why China includes the nonferrous metals industry for early voluntary liberalization and its implications for the domestic economy. Nonferrous metals industry is one of China’s national strategic sectors and has a large supply excess in the country. This study targets the survey of Chinese nonferrous metals industry and trade structure and considers the problem of nonferrous metals in the context of negotiations for the Korea-China FTA and its implications for a higher-quality Korea-China FTA.

China's Nonferrous Metals Industry and Implications for Korea-China FTA Negotiations

Korea and China have promoted a bilateral FTA since 2005 to upgrade their economic relationships. If the Korea-China FTA is concluded, then trade between the two countries is likely to involve substantial changes both quantitatively and qualitatively. Offer lists submitted by Korea include steel, petrochemicals and machinery and those by China include some agricultural and marine products as well as nonferrous metals. Korea’s interest in the Korea-China FTA has focused mainly on damage to the agricultural sector and there have been a lot of studies on the effects of the FTA on Korean agricultural sector. However, little is known about why China includes the nonferrous metals industry for early voluntary liberalization and its implications for the domestic economy. Nonferrous metals industry is one of China’s national strategic sectors and has a large supply excess in the country. This study targets the survey of Chinese nonferrous metals industry and trade structure and considers the problem of nonferrous metals in the context of negotiations for the Korea-China FTA and its implications for a higher-quality Korea-China FTA.

The Effects of Mergers on Sellers, Customers, and Competitors in Russia's Ferrous and Non-Ferrous Metal Industries: The Application of Financial Event Study

Russian producers are large participants in both domestic and international markets of ferrous and non-ferrous metals. Their market power is limited on the world market due to the presence of competitors, while in Russia most of them have achieved an “almost monopolistic” position strengthened by a high market share as a result protection from import tariffs. During 1999-2011 numerous mergers in these industries were completed and approved by the Federal Antitrust Service – Russia’s competition agency. The key problem of merger analysis in Russia’s ferrous and non-ferrous metal industries is the trade-off between a (possible) weakening of competition in domestic markets and achieving competitive advantages in international markets. Most merger deals were approved only together with precisely developed merger remedies aimed at preventing dominance abuse. However, it is still unknown whether the weakening of competition and the abuse of dominance on the domestic market as the result of a merger indeed lead to harmful consequences. Using the financial event study method developed by Eckbo and Wier (1985), this paper empirically verifies the significance of anticompetitive effects of mergers in the domestic ferrous and non-ferrous metal markets. I find that, according to the financial market, mergers between Russian metal producers restrict competition and reduce consumer gains.

Refractory Wear Mechanisms in the Nonferrous Metal Industry: Testing and Modeling Results

Nonferrous pyrometallurgical processes today operate at a high intensity requiring the best standards for the furnace refractory systems. From one plant to another, there is a range of process conditions such as temperature, slag chemistry, and feed types, and each of these parameters can influence refractory life. It is generally understood that process changes at plants can impact refractory life. The ability to test and understand refractory responses to a wide range of furnace operating conditions is therefore important. The RHI Technology Centre in Leoben, Austria is well equipped with laboratory and pilot plant facilities to evaluate refractory suitability over the range of conditions encountered in modern nonferrous pyrometallurgical systems. This article describes refractory testing at the RHI Technology Centre of the impact of two metallurgical slags on a number of different RHI test bricks. The slags were a fayalite slag and a calcium ferrite slag supplied by two smelter plants. High-temperature corrosion tests were carried out in a 250-mm-diameter induction furnace and a 165-mm-diameter short rotary kiln; each unit was lined with a number of refractory bricks and tested against attack by the particular slag. After testing, the refractory bricks were subjected to several laboratory tests to determine the extent of corrosion. Optimal refractory choices for the customers’ plants were developed based on the test results.

Slag disintegration selectivity

The article considers experimental research findings on the phase composition of ferrous and nonferrous metal industry slag as well as the morphological structure and physico-mechanical properties of individual phases of slag with the aim to evaluate selectivity of their unlocking along intergrowth boundaries in impact crushing machines. The authors validate disintegration selectivity criterion of slag treatment in centrifugal impact crushers expressed as the ratio of micro-hardnesses of the slag phases.

Measuring technical efficiency of Chinese nonferrous metals enterprises on a background of industry consolidation

Since 2009, Chinese nonferrous metals industry has been carried out industry consolidation with strong support by the central government. This work examined technical efficiency of Chinese nonferrous metals firms and its change during the period of 2007 and 2011. Based on financial data from nonferrous metals listed companies, technical efficiency of nonferrous metal minerals mining firms and nonferrous metal smelting, pressing and processing firms was estimated respectively using the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method. It was found that, in both sectors, number of pure technical and scale inefficient firms dominated over efficient ones. Overall, their technical and scale efficiency tended to be very low after 2009. In particular, efficiency scores of nonferrous metal smelting, pressing and processing firms fluctuated greatly during the research period. And a limited number of large leading firms were able to maintain 100% efficiency score in the industry, while efficiency of most of other leading firms has declined since 2009.

Estimates of electricity saving potential in Chinese nonferrous metals industry

The paper analyzes the electricity saving potential of nonferrous metals industry in China. The cointegration method is applied to estimate electricity intensity of Chinese nonferrous metals industry, in an effort to predict future electricity saving potential. The results show that there is a long-run equilibrium between electricity intensity and factors such as R&D intensity, industrial electricity price, enterprise scale, and labor productivity. By means of scenario analysis, we evaluate different possible measures that might be adopted to narrow down the electricity efficiency gap between nonferrous metals industry in China and that of Japan. The results indicate that more active electricity conservation policies are needed in order to reduce the electricity intensity of Chinese nonferrous metals industry. We also find that the electricity efficiency gap could be significantly narrowed by 2020 if proper electricity conservation policy is adopted. Finally, based on the results of the scenario analysis, future policy priorities are suggested.