Metals & Mining is an important industry for both developing and developed countries. The aim of the question is to find what new trends and technological modifications are happening in this industry which may have any disruptive impact on the whole industry from the point of view of energy sector. Like there could be new ways mining is done or any new ways an ore can be extracted which consumes less power or is more sustainable. Or are there any specific ores which consumes lot of energy and which needs improvements in overall technology.
Mining is a broad term. Extraction methods are not changing much because drill and blast is the most efficient. The design of the mine/quarry will differ depending on the ore body.
Material processing and tailing treatment on the other hand is changing quickly.
Sulfide ore that is more complex has seen many new technological advancements. BIOX or Biological Oxidization uses naturally occurring biological enzymes (bugs) to eat Sulfur and iron in sulfide ore to expose Gold, copper, etc. Resulting in a high recovery rates from cyanide recovery. In addition a similar process is used on tailings in a cyanide destruction circuit resulting in tailings that are free of cyanide and Sulfur that are historically the main cause of acid mine drainage. Now, clean tailings are drystacked on old cuts and planted with indigenous soil stabilizing plants. Typically mineral rich soil/rock is not covered with dense vegetation. Because of lack of top soil in rocky areas, and pH level of soil. Like in the case of laterite Nickel ore. Look for the red bald hill with no trees. That's Nickel ore. Trees don't like it. But, if you get that dirt and put it in a vat of sulfuric acid (sounds bad at first I know). Then collect ALL of the acid solution. (Don't want to waste that. It is now full of Ni) and deposit the dried tailings right back where they came from. You are left with a soil high in potassium and free of Ni that anything will grow on.
In short. The greatest change in the mining industry is the fact that (proper)mining is not only an extractive industry. It is about resource utilization and building an eco system. Mines are no longer developed with extraction first. They are designing backwards from "How can this land be used best after the resource is extracted , and what steps are taken in what order to make this chunk of rock a better environment than how it was found".
Hello Mr. Stephen,
Thank you for your answer.
I have also read about the BIOX for copper tailings as well where enzymes eat copper and it is being developed by Brazil mining company Vale. I suppose it is similar to what you have mentioned for sulfide.
Also as you said "How to make this used mined land a better place after extraction is done", I came across Rocky Mountain Institute’s (RMI) Sunshine for Mines (SfM) strategy where they are looking to use that land area for renewable energy capture purposes.
I had few questions from the point of view of exploration of mineral resources before actual mining is carried out. I have heard couple of terms:
1. Advanced airborne gravity gradiometer
2. 3D laser scanning.
Are these techniques entirely new or they have been around for quite some time?
And for processing of minerals "Radio Frequency Plasma Technology"; Is this again something which is new or which has been around for quite some time? I am asking this from the point of view of future technologies which can have huge impact on Metals & Mining industry as a whole.
As a subsequent part of the original question I am trying to see if there are any new significant improvements in mining and processing of metals such as Lead, Copper, Silicon, Zinc, Lithium, Aluminium, Cobalt, Manganese, Neodymium, Iron, Nickel which are important metals from the perspective of global trend of renewable energy implementation as a energy source.
The rabbit hole.....
1) AGG great for looking for mineral deposits based on density and electromagnetic signature of minerals. This is used most on determining expansion area of a mineral body. Or finding a new one. It is done before drilling to help direct where boreholes are drilled. No matter what.. still have to drill.
2) 3D laser. Works well for topographic surveys. But now is being replaced by drone surveys. Cameras have such good resolution now. Digital mapping with camera and fixed points can get elevation down to less than a meter. In the next year or so. The ground points will not even be needed. Fully autonomous drone surveys by digital camera and not laser will be the standard.
3) Plasma... Best. And first use case for plasma would be for industrial waste gasification. But, (anyone correct me if I'm wrong.) I do not know of a plasma gasification plant that is working more than 150 days/ year.
For bulk ore. I do not see it happening. At least for a long time. Ore needs to be crushed and milled then concentrated. Otherwise you will be left with an insane amount of vitreous slag.
Last)
Significant improvements in other kinds of mining. Answer is Yes.
But, each one of those are processed in completely different ways, and each one has different advancements every day. Each one is a different Rabbit hole.
Hi,
Got your point..
I have been trying to find platforms which will provide with any such latest news in Metals & Mining. Mining Magazine is one.
Do you have any other suggestions which can be useful to get latest news in this industry?
Thank you. Really appreciate your responses.
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