A Brief Note on the Heap Leaching Technologies for the Recovery of Valuable Metals

Thriveni Thenepalli, Ramakrishna Chilakala, Lulit Habte, Lai Quang Tuan and Chun Sik Kim
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Thriveni Thenepalli: Hanil Cement Co, Ltd., 302 Maepo-ri, Maepo-eup, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Seoul 395-903, Korea
Ramakrishna Chilakala: Department of Bio-based Materials, School of Agriculture and Life Science, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 305-764, Korea
Lulit Habte: Department of Resources Recycling, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
Lai Quang Tuan: Department of Resources Recycling, University of Science & Technology, Daejeon 34113, Korea
Chun Sik Kim: Hanil Cement Co, Ltd., 302 Maepo-ri, Maepo-eup, Danyang-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, Seoul 395-903, Korea

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 12, 1-10

Abstract: Heap leaching is a low-cost technology used in industrial mining to recover precious metals such as gold and uranium, along with several other highly sought after metals like copper, from their primary resources (ores and minerals). For many decades, there has been a growing demand for heap leaching due to its environmental benefits. Heap leaching provides mining operators with a benign, effective and economical solution for the environment and produces only minor emissions from furnaces. The cost of the heap leaching process is low, making this process an attractive option from a financial standpoint. Here, we shall present a brief review of the heap leaching process when applied to the extraction of different metals from primary resources (ores and minerals). This paper presents a roadmap to satisfy future national demands for rare earth elements (REEs). This heap leaching process is applicable for the recovery of REEs from secondary resources such as mining and coal residues. Heap leaching plays a significant role in the recovery of critical elements which are used in clean and green energy applications. In the mining sector, heap leaching is a distinguished method for the recovery of valuable/beneficial metals from low-quality ore. In the present study, we shall report briefly on the heap leaching technologies for valuable metal recovery with economic advantages.

Keywords: Heap Leaching; mining waste; recovery; valuable metals; rare earth; energy applications (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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