The selective depression of talcose molybdenum ores has always been a pressing problem in the physical chemistry of flotation. Herein, aluminum ion was introduced to investigated its effect on the selective depression of sodium carboxymethyl starch (CMS) on molybdenite-talc separation. The micro-flotation experiments shows that the combination of CMS and aluminum ion exerts a synergistic depression

Throughout the full evolution process of rockburst, the instantaneous self-initiated static-dynamic transition behavior represents a pivotal inflection point that propels rocks from static deformation to dynamic instability. Nevertheless, the transient dynamic process of this point and its role in triggering rockburst remain incompletely understood. Addressing the scientific issue, this study proposes

In the process of backfill mining, transporting slurry with large particles through pipelines at high flow rates poses risks of erosion-induced failures. Therefore, it is crucial to study the influence of particle properties on pipeline erosion rates. This study investigates the effects of coal-gangue particle characteristics, including velocity, diameter, mass flow rate, and shape factor, on erosion

Recovering ultrafine magnesite from dolomite-rich desliming tailings faces significant challenges due to the fine and ultrafine particle sizes, the similar physicochemical surface properties of magnesite and dolomite, and a lack of advanced technological solutions in froth flotation. This study introduces a novel approach by investigating the hydrodynamic properties of a laboratory-scale pneumatic

Pneumatic micro-bubble flotation machines have emerged as useful flotation devices in recent years, offering advantages such as high processing capacity, simple structure, and energy and reagent savings. Their pneumatic particle-bubble collision performance and internal flow field characteristics need much development to support current inferior ores. Additionally, systematic theoretical guidance for

The release of arsenic (As) from tin tailings poses significant environmental pollution challenges. Developing economic, green, and effective solutions for controlling As pollution from these tailings remains difficult. This study addresses this issue by developing a green multi-solid waste geopolymer, composed of tin tailings, red mud, desulphurized gypsum, and cement (TRGC). The optimized TRGC geopolymer

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium oleate (NaOL), sodium octyl hydroxamate (OHA), heptyl triazine thione (HpNT) and hexyl tetrathione (HTT) − characterized by different hydrophobic groups and polar functional groups − were investigated for their effects on hydrophobic aggregation during the separation of fine tenorite from quartz. The findings showed that the hydrophobicity of the tenorite surface

The wear stage of the liner is of great significance to the production and maintenance of the mill. However, it is difficult to monitor the wear stage of the liner in real time. Therefore, this study developed a method to recognize the wear stage of semi-autogenous(SAG) mill liner on line. The pulp density is an important characteristic variable for reflecting liner wear stage. In view of the difficulty

Acid rock drainage (ARD) is the acidic leachate obtained from weathered mine or mineral waste, caused by the oxidation of sulfide minerals by oxygen and water. Limiting the access of oxidants to the sulfide-containing mineral is paramount to prevent the oxidation reactions that promote acid-runoff. Co-disposal techniques include the co-mingling of complementary mine wastes with disparate ARD characteristics

Salt caverns are widely used for energy storage. During gas storage, the internal gas pressure fluctuates cyclically in response to energy demand, making it essential to assess how these pressure variations affect rock deformation. In this study, experiments were conducted under different cyclic gas pressure conditions to investigate this effect. The findings indicate that (1) the deformation process

Acquiring pristine deep lunar regolith cores with appropriate drilling tools is crucial for deciphering the lunar geological history. Conventional thick-walled drill bits are inherently limited in obtaining deep lunar regolith samples, whereas thin-walled coring bits offer a promising solution for lunar deep drilling. To support future lunar deep exploration missions, this study systematically investigates

While stress-dependent fluid infiltration plays a critical role in the initiation and propagation of hydraulic fractures, limited attention has been paid to the dynamics of fluid infiltration and the pore-scale damage mechanisms resulting from fluid infiltration during hydraulic fracturing. To address these research gaps, this study conducts hydraulic fracturing experiments on tight sandstone under

Coal mine waste (CMW) poses many environmental challenges globally. They are mostly stored in coal tips or utilised as raw materials in low value landscaping applications within the mine site or in local proximity. To widen and valorise its use, there is a growing interest in its inclusion in higher value hydraulically bound construction materials, however, a key limitation currently holding back this

The introduction of a hydroxyl group in the ricinoleat (ROA−) molecule enhances its adsorption selectivity on kaolinite surfaces compared to conventional oleate (OA−). In this study, a combined approach of density functional theory (DFT) simulations and experimental validation was employed to investigate the adsorption behaviors of ROA− and OA− on kaolinite and quartz surfaces. Mulliken population

Copper tailings are solid waste with large discharge volumes and significant environmental pollution. After activation, their pozzolanic reactivity can be enhanced, enabling them to serve as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to replace cement. The use of alkali metal salt-activated tailings as a cement substitute can result in a reduction in specimen strength over time. The application of

The increasing anthropogenic and industrial activities have led to widespread contamination of water resources. Among the various pollutants, excess fluoride in water poses a global environmental and public health challenge due to its toxicity and persistence. To address this challenge, Ce and La loaded the residue of leaching aluminium from gangue were synthesized as adsorbents (Ce-La@LR) for the

Mine Tailings (MTs) are typically used in combination with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and water to generate a paste to be used for mine galleries backfilling (MGBF). This technology has been optimized for several decades and it is well known that the final uniaxial compressive strengths (UCS) achieved by the paste mainly depend on the OPC concentration used in the paste formulation. However, there

Recent advances in sensor technology and machine learning (ML) have created new opportunities to predict and improve flotation performance in mineral processing. However, existing flotation performance prediction models lack interpretability and are mostly poorly generalised, making drawing insights from model outcomes difficult. This study addresses these gaps by developing a balanced flotation model

Copper is an important strategic mineral resource for national defense security and economic development. With the gradual decrease in easy-to-mining and processing copper sulfide mineral resources, how to efficiently utilize low-grade and difficult-to-process copper oxide mineral resources has attracted more and more attention. Previous work has made some breakthroughs, and this article will provide

In the steel slag-based mine backfill cementitious material systems, the hydration reaction mechanisms and synergistic effects of steel slag (SS), granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), and desulfurization gypsum (DG) are crucial for performance optimization and regulation. However, existing studies have yet to fully reveal the underlying synergistic mechanisms, which limits the application and promotion

Coal and gas outbursts constitute a critical hazard in underground mining operations, characterized by rapid transitions from localized instability to catastrophic failure. Understanding the relationship between initial characteristics and final outburst scale remains a fundamental challenge in geomechanics. This study conceptualizes outbursts as deterministic cascade systems through integrated physical

Variations in temperature are known to affect the metallurgical responses of sulfide flotation. Different studies have identified that sphalerite recovery and grade are impacted by temperature with flotation reagent efficiency being responsible for fluctuations in primary concentration (selective attachment of valuable mineral particles to air bubbles) while the effects on secondary concentration (froth

Performance of mineral flotation process in terms of grade and recovery is critically dependent on achieving the optimal gas dispersion in a flotation cell which involves three parameters − superficial gas velocity (jG), gas holdup (α¯G), and bubble size (dsea). In mechanical flotation cells, these parameters have been extensively studied, however current understanding of these parameters in the Reflux

Identifying and predicting mineral grade is crucial in mining engineering as it directly influences the efficiency and profitability of extraction processes. By accurately determining ore quality, mining operations can optimize resource allocation, reduce waste, and make environmentally responsible decisions. Over the past few years, the image-based methods have been proved to be effective since they

The milling stage prior to flotation plays a significant role in determining the chemical characteristics of the pulp phase in mineral processing, in which the grinding media and nature of the process water play a key role. This study analysed the effects of using low or high-ionic-strength water and either forged steel or inert ceramic media. Pure sulfide minerals, viz., pyrite (FeS2) and galena (PbS)

Geological sequestration of CO2 is critical for deep decarbonization, but the geomechanical stability of coal reservoirs remains a major challenge. This study integrates nanoindentation, XRD/SEM-EDS chemo physical characterization and 4D CT visualization to investigate the time-evolving mechanical degradation of bituminous coals with ScCO2 injection. The main results show that 4 d of ScCO2 treatment

In this study, an efficient method for recovery of vanadium (V) from leaching solution of calcium roasting vanadium slag by extraction with di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (P204) was proposed. The impact of initial pH value, P204 concentration, contact time, phase ratio (O/A) and temperature on vanadium recovery were analyzed. The effects of stripping agent, O/A, contact time and temperature on the V stripping

Acid rock drainage is a common environmental problem associated with mining sulphidic ores and coal. The upfront assessment of the environmental burden associated with the waste is required to develop reliable long-term management strategies. Of importance is the generation and transport of acidic drainage from waste rock deposits. Current approaches to characterise and predict acid rock drainage focus

Talc, a complex silicate mineral, holds significant potential as a source of magnesium (Mg) and silicon (Si), but faces challenges in efficient extraction due to its intricate structure. Traditional methods often struggle to achieve high leaching efficiencies, particularly for Mg. To address this issue, this study investigates a novel approach using a mixed acid system comprising HF and HCl as leaching

This study presents a comprehensive kinetic and experimental analysis of selective sulfation roasting of spent NdFeB magnets using Fe2(SO4)3, followed by water leaching, to optimize the recovery of rare earth elements. The activation energy for the sulfation reaction was determined to be 205.9 kJ/mol, with the dominant mechanism function aligning with 1-(1-α)2/3, indicating that the process was typically

Advancements in modern technology are causing a rapid increase in the consumption of critical elements. Many of these elements are obtained as by-products from the extraction and processing of other raw materials. Yet, limited information is available on their concentrations in primary ores, behaviour during ore processing, and availability to the global economy. This study analysed ores and mineral

Depressants are used to enhance the valuable minerals recovery and flotation selectivity by depressing the gangue minerals and limiting their deportment to the concentrate. This study examines the performance of various CMC depressants with the aim of gaining an understanding of the depressant and gangue minerals characteristics that play a role during froth flotation of PGM ore types.

The increasing volume of scrap EV batteries generated globally poses significant challenges for disposal and recycling due to stringent environmental concerns. Recycling these batteries not only mitigates environmental pollution but also enables the recovery of valuable metals. This paper investigates the leaching kinetics of metals in the black mass of EV batteries, a crucial step in battery recycling

Due to its capability of real-time mapping of physical entities, digital twins have demonstrated significant potential across various domains. However, how to evaluate whether the established digital twin model can accurately map the physical entity in the real world is a topic that has been overlooked. Considering the high degree of coupling, complex structure, and variable operating conditions of

To address the challenges in selectively differentiating apatite from calcite via flotation, Tara gum (TG) functioned in the role of a calcite-selective inhibitor during this research. The micro-flotation tests indicated that apatite and calcite displayed comparable buoyancy characteristics when sodium oleate (NaOL) was utilized as the collector. Merely relying on NaOL alone made it extremely arduous

The effective recovery of oxidized pentlandite remains challenging in sulfide ore processing due to coexisting oxidized/sulfide surface regions and serpentine entrainment caused by conventional dithiophosphate (DTP) collectors. In this study, a novel low-foaming bifunctional collector was synthesized to address this issue. A range of dithiophosphate collectors featuring different alkoxy chain lengths

The use of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is emerging as an alternative to enhance the performance of leaching and flotation in copper mining. This bacterium adheres to minerals like pyrite, oxidizing it, which facilitates its dissolution in leaching and depression in flotation. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans interacts with pyrite through Cytochrome 2, a membrane protein that induces oxidation. In

The global surge in infrastructure projects has escalated the demand for high-quality sand and gravel aggregates, creating pressing needs for enhanced screening efficiency and particle classification precision. This research develops a dynamic response model for single-layer linear vibrating screens, systematically examining how operational parameters (vibration frequency, amplitude, deck inclination

The reduction of iron oxides is crucial in mineral processing, metallurgy, and material science, particularly for optimizing iron ore reduction and beneficiation processes. In this study, the phase transformation of hematite to magnetite and metallic iron during CO reduction (CO concentrations = 10–60 %) was systematically examined under 400, 450, and 500 °C. X-ray diffraction refinement, chemical

Despite being a common choice for apatite flotation, oleic acid collector suffers from deficient selectivity. To resolve this constraint, this study introduces a novel fatty acid collector, α-sulfonate group mixed acid (α-SMA), a blend of C16 to C18 fatty acids containing an α-sulfonate group, as a replacement for oleic acid. This study compares the selectivities of α-SMA and oleic acid collectors

After the excavation of deep mining tunnels and underground caverns, the stability of surrounding rock controlled by structural planes is prone to structural damage and even engineering disasters due to three-dimensional stress redistribution and multi-directional dynamic construction interference. However, the shear mechanical behavior, fracture evolution mechanism and precursor characteristics of

Rocks, composed of various minerals and defects, exhibit complex deformation and failure processes. Traditional analytical methods and homogenized medium-based models struggle to address such complexity. Developing a numerical model that closely mimics the structure of real rocks rather than only a replication of rock structure is a critical challenge. To address this, this work proposes a parameterized

Mine tailings (MTs) are typically combined with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) and water to create a paste used for mine gallery backfilling (MGBF). While OPC is the traditional choice for achieving high uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), alternative alkaline agents like Mg(OH) 2 and NaOH are being explored to reduce costs and environmental impacts. This study compared the performance of Mg(OH) 2

Due to the declining higher-grade hematite ore and increased demand for iron ore, magnetite rich tailings from previously processed ore deposits are increasingly being exploited. The flowsheets processing these tailings include ball milling to the size whereby the magnetite is liberated, followed by magnetic separation mostly using Wet Low Intensity Magnetic Separator (WLIMS) drums. Most of such tailings

The application of hydrocyclones dates back over a century. Their simple structure, lack of moving components, and ease of disassembly have led to widespread adoption across diverse separation industries. As a crucial component of hydrocyclones, the inlet significantly influences classification efficiency. While prior studies have proposed reasonable modifications to inlet designs, most rely on a single

Bauxite residue, as industrial solid waste, presents many challenges in the filtration process due to its fine particle size, strong suspension, and high alkalinity. This paper compares the influence of two different components of modified steel slag (S1 and S2) on the filtration performance of bauxite residue. When the particle size was 45 μm (325 mesh) and the dosage was 10 g/L, it was found that

Marble slab cutting residue, known as marble dust, is discharged in the form of sludge in marble processing plants to such an extent that it threatens sustainability in marble mining in terms of environmental concerns. This rejected marble dust has a similar size distribution and mineralogical composition to the commercially available ground calcium carbonate, and therefore has a great potential for

In this paper, a novel dynamic history-based optimisation algorithm (DHOA) has been proposed and applied in the optimisation of two different copper flotation processes. The proposed algorithm dynamically optimizes flotation process for stable recovery, using historic patterns and predictive models. Performance of the proposed DHOA algorithm has been compared with naïve search-based algorithm (NSA)

Chalcopyrite leaching in acidic solutions is often hindered by slow kinetics due to surface passivation, which reduces copper leaching efficiency. This study explored the effects of Triton CG-110, a non-ionic surfactant, on chalcopyrite bioleaching facilitated by mesophilic acidophilic bacteria. Bio-oxidation experiments demonstrated that bacterial metabolism was enhanced with the addition of CG-110;

To investigate the instability mechanisms of heterogeneous geological structures in goaf area roofs, three-point bending tests (TPBT) and numerical simulations are performed on composite coal-rock (CCR). Acoustic emission (AE) monitoring is employed to analyze key parameters, establishing a multi-parameter quantitative system for CCR fracture processes. The impact of lithological homogeneity on fracture

This study investigates the use of aluminum industry waste—red mud (RM) and bauxite tailings mud (BTM)—as raw materials for cemented tailings backfill (RB-CTB), focusing on its mechanical and environmental performance. This study evaluates the UCS of RB-CTB by adjusting the RM/BTM and binder/waste ratios. Among the 15 combinations tested, the optimal ratios of 1:2 (RM/BTM) and 1:7 (binder/waste) resulted

A gold rock mine in Yunnan, rich in magnetite reserves, requires fine grinding to effectively recover the precious metal gold and enhance its degree of liberation. However, this fine grinding significantly reduces the particle size of magnetite, leading to a notable decrease in its specific magnetization as the particles become smaller. Consequently, low-intensity magnetic separation (LIMS) struggles

Real-time visual information holds significant potential for revealing the internal states of tailings flocculation-sedimentation processes in paste preparation. Although industry typically relies on turbidity measurements and researchers use flocculation degree (DF) for quantification, both indicators have physical lags of minutes in evaluating the flocculation and settling state of dense interiors

The efficient flotation separation of ilmenite from associated gangue minerals remains a critical challenge in titanium ore beneficiation. In this study, a novel dioxime-based collector was synthesized and applied in ilmenite flotation, significantly improving both concentrate grade and recovery. Micro-flotation experiments demonstrated that the dioxime collector exhibited superior collecting ability

Metal recycling plays an important role in alleviating the shortage of critical metals and reducing primary mining. Chlorination roasting is an effective method for the comprehensive utilization of polymetallic minerals and waste and well proven process in the metallurgical industry. This review categorizes chlorinating agents used in this process into gaseous and solid chemicals, detailing the research

Clean hydrogen is recognized as one of the key energy vectors for the future, with electrolysis including high-temperature solid oxide cells (SOC) being the most prominent technology to meet the anticipated demand. The unique composition of SOC stacks and the growing demand for clean hydrogen create a strong incentive for securing raw material supply. Recycling can help to alleviate this pressure.

The dissolution of complex silicate minerals has a significant influence on the flotation of quartz, but its effect and mechanism have not been clarified. In this work, the inhibition effect and mechanism of actinolite on quartz flotation using dodecylamine (DDA) as a collector were investigated via micro-flotation, mineral dissolution, adsorption tests, wrapping angle tests, Atomic Force Microscope

Bubble-particle (BP) detachment is a critical mechanism in flotation, particularly for enhancing coarse particle recovery. The Young-Laplace theory (YLT) has long served as the foundation for modeling BP interactions and predicting detachment behavior, typically assuming detachment occurs at the three-phase contact line (TPCL). Here, we conducted novel bubble detachment experiments by manipulating

Marmatite is of poor floatability and difficult to be activated, making its challenging to separate marmatite from pyrrhotite effectively. In this study, we successfully utilized the combined ethylenediamine phosphate (EDP) and Cu2+ to facilitate the activation of marmatite and achieved its selective separation from pyrrhotite, while the synergistic activation mechanism was uncovered. Single mineral

Creep deformation of soft rock caused by tunnel excavation can produce significant safety and construction challenges. In this study, a Discrete Element Method (DEM) numerical model combining the Rate Process Theory (RPT) is developed, in conjunction with the Support Characteristic Curve (SCC) approach, to simulate creep-induced convergences of a tunnel excavated in soft rock. To achieve this, two-dimensional