Removal of Base Metals from Mine Tailings in Chloride- and Seawater-Based Media Followed by Solvent Extraction

Tamara Azevedo Schueler (), Paula Fernandes de Aguiar, Bengi Yagmurlu and Daniel Goldmann ()
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Tamara Azevedo Schueler: Institute of Mineral and Waste Processing, Recycling and Circular Economy Systems, Clausthal University of Technology, Walther-Nernst-Str. 9, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany
Paula Fernandes de Aguiar: Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Athos da Silveira Ramos 149, Rio de Janeiro 21941-909, Brazil
Bengi Yagmurlu: Institute of Mineral and Waste Processing, Recycling and Circular Economy Systems, Clausthal University of Technology, Walther-Nernst-Str. 9, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany
Daniel Goldmann: Institute of Mineral and Waste Processing, Recycling and Circular Economy Systems, Clausthal University of Technology, Walther-Nernst-Str. 9, 38678 Clausthal-Zellerfeld, Germany

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-15

Abstract: The high volume of mine tailings generated during mining activities poses significant worldwide storage risks. However, these tailings often contain valuable metals that can be recovered. Therefore, reprocessing mine tailings has emerged as a crucial strategy to assess secondary metals resources and mitigate storage risks. Furthermore, the mining industry’s extensive use of freshwater necessitates exploring alternative water sources. In this study, the leaching of base metals from mine tailings in chloride-based media was investigated. Approximately 52% Cu, 73% Zn, and 100% Pb were leached from the sample in the presence of HCl and NaCl. The substitution of freshwater with seawater yielded comparable results, demonstrating the potential of seawater as an alternative freshwater source that does not compromise leaching effectiveness. Additionally, 77% of Pb precipitated as PbSO 4 from the pregnant leach solution. Through solvent extraction, approximately 100% Cu was recovered using LIX 984 as an extractant, and 71% Zn with D2EHPA. The use of Fe 0 significantly reduced the co-extraction of Fe in the Zn recovery step. Overall, this study provides a potential route for reprocessing mine tailings, ensuring maximum leaching and efficient recovery of metals from sulfide mine tailings.

Keywords: mine tailings; leaching; seawater; solvent extraction; metals recovery; optimization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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