This study aims at answering an important question: Is the joint roughness coefficient (JRC) a suitable parameter for quantifying the hydro-mechanical behavior of smooth to slightly rough rock joints? To answer this question, we used 3D printing technology to produce matched and mismatched joints with the same surface configuration (profile) and joints with identical JRC values but different surface

This research introduces N-butyl thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) as a novel selective collector for chalcopyrite and investigates its adsorption characteristics and mechanisms on both chalcopyrite and pyrite surfaces. The results of single and binary mixed mineral flotation tests demonstrated that at a slurry pH of 8, an effective separation between chalcopyrite and pyrite could be achieved using NBPT

This study investigated alkali metal extraction from zinnwaldite using chlorination roasting with CaCl2 and CaCO3. It was found that increasing the ratio of CaCO3 and zinnwaldite in the roasting mixture up to 3:1 significantly increased the efficiency of alkali metal extraction. The reactions in roasting mixture components occurred below 500 °C on the surface of zinnwaldite particles. Decomposition

The removal of muscovite impurities from quartz ore determines the final purity of high-grade quartz sand. To improve the removal of muscovite by leaching, this study systematically investigated the effect of atmospheric roasting and vacuum roasting on muscovite decomposition pathways through thermodynamic analysis and phase characterization. The results revealed that vacuum roasting caused the muscovite

Utilization of phosphogypsum (PG) with cleaner and efficient approach has always been a global challenge. Cemented PG backfill (CPGB) technology uses a cleaner filling material mixed with a large amount of PG to support the surrounding rock of mine goaf, which not only can efficiently solve the environmental problems during PG stacking, but also can suppress the goaf collapse. After more than 20 years

Currently, there are limited publicly available crushing test data for the eccentric roll crushers, and their performance on hard ores is unknown. During the crushing process, the roll body of the eccentric roll crusher rotates in the opposite direction under the influence of crushing forces, which aims to reduce wear on the roll surface. However, owing to the complexity of the motion relationships

The shear behavior of infilled rock joints remains challenging to predict due to complex interactions between joint roughness coefficient (JRC) and infilling ratio. This study examines how joint roughness (JRC 2.8–16.76), infilling ratios (0–2), and normal stresses (0.5–8 MPa) affect shear behavior. Specimens were sheared at 0.6 mm/min while monitoring acoustic emissions to track strength changes and

The Zhundong region in Xinjiang possesses substantial reserves of high-alkali coal, and its efficient and clean utilization is urgent. Supercritical CO2 extraction is a promising green technology for low-rank coal upgrading. In this paper, the removal effects of alkali and alkaline earth metals and ash in high-alkali coal under different supercritical CO2 fluid extraction system were investigated.

Global decarbonization has increased the demand for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), leading to a high demand for lithium a critical raw material in the EU. Efficient lithium recovery, especially from water sources, is essential due to the growing demand need for LIB recycling. Adsorption technology is effective for this purpose, but traditional powder adsorbents present operational challenges. To overcome

Owing to its own complex characteristics, large-scale resource utilization using the traditional calcination process makes it difficult to achieve efficient enrichment of rhodochrosite. In this study, the microwave calcination followed by magnetic separation was proposed as an effective method for enriching manganese ore from rhodochrosite. The phase transition and microstructural evolution of the

The scarcity of high-quality bauxite and the increasing accumulation of red mud significantly hinder the sustainable development of the alumina industry. This study proposes a novel “calcification-potassium alkali” (CPA) method, which utilizes KOH instead of NaOH to simulate the Bayer process for dissolution. This method transforms the product from hydrated sodium silicate-aluminate (Na2O-Al2O3-1.7SiO2-nH2O)

Fractures in the host rock surrounding a high-level radioactive waste (HLW) repository can act as primary conduits for groundwater flow and radionuclide migration, significantly impacting the repository's safety and long-term stability. Therefore, precisely characterizing the hydrological properties of these fractures is essential. This case study investigates fracture hydrology at the Beishan Exploration

To analyze the fault slip mechanism under static and cyclic disturbance loads during construction, a series of true triaxial monotonic and cyclic loading tests on rough fractured granite were conducted. The effects of confining pressure and loading path on the slip characteristics of fractured granite with a 60° fracture angle were explored. Based on stress, strain monitoring, and acoustic emission

In this study, mineralogical and strategic magnetic beneficiation tests were undertaken on a complex low grade saprolite ore to assess the feasibility of recovering valuable rare earth elements (REE) minerals. Mineralogical characterisation tests revealed that bastnäsite was the main REE mineral, with significant amount of La-Nd-Si/Fe intergrowths. The bulk of the ore was occupied by clay and silicate

In geothermal engineering, dynamic loads (e.g., drilling, hydraulic fracturing) and thermal shock between working fluids and high-temperature reservoirs significantly affect well-wall stability and exploitation efficiency. This study performed a series of dynamic tensile experiments on granite flattened Brazilian disc (FBD) specimens treated by cyclic thermal shock (CTS) using a split Hopkinson press

The beneficiation of sulfide ore using bacteria and their metabolites shows promise for reducing the use of chemicals during froth flotation. The role of growth conditions in the efficiency of bio-flotation is required prior to trialling larger scale experiments. In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the selective attachment of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans, L.f, to

High-purity quartz serves as a crucial basic material for strategic emerging industries such as the new-generation information industry, new energy, and high-end equipment. The photovoltaic and semiconductor industries exhibit a robust demand for high-end high-purity quartz crucibles, and their quality requirements are becoming increasingly stringent. This paper conducts a comprehensive analysis of

This work builds on two previous studies (Starrett and Galvin, 2023; 2025) using a REFLUX™ Classifier to separate a silica feed (0–710 µm) based on particle size. Here the focus was on the factors that control the separation size at low solids concentration and high volumetric feed fluxes. Feed suspensions at concentrations of ∼ 2 to 8 wt.% solids and volumetric feed fluxes up to 250 m3/(m2 h) were

Layered rock slopes naturally formed or excavated are prone to buckling failure. Current assessment methods predominantly rely on flexural buckling theory (i.e., elastic instability), but in fact this type of destabilization rarely occurs. Thus, an applicable stability evaluation method is urgently needed. Based on the upper bound theorem, this study develops a three-hinge buckling (THB) kinematic

Hydraulic fracturing (HF) is a widely employed technique for determining in situ stress. A critical aspect of this technique is the interpretation of the shut-in pressure to ascertain the magnitude of the minimum principal stress. Existing interpretation methods primarily focus on the pressure decay rate or its simple transformation, and an effective physical model has not yet been established to quantitatively

The growing demand for Li-ion batteries (LIBs), coupled with the scarcity of raw material resources, poses significant techno-economic and ecological challenges. Additionally, the increasing amount of spent LIB waste endangers the ecosystem. Recycling these batteries has been proven to be environmentally beneficial and economically sustainable compared to mining and extraction. This study analyzed

The Bayer process primarily focuses on alumina extraction, often overlooking other valuable elements. Lacking proper treatment, the resulting red mud poses significant ecological threats. Converting iron-containing phases, such as goethite and hematite, to magnetite during leaching is essential for improving alumina extraction and recovering iron resources. This study addresses this challenge by leveraging

The crack initiation stress threshold (σci/σp) is an important parameter in the process of brittle failure of rocks, and it plays a significant role in assessing the macroscopic deformation and micro-fracture characteristics of rocks. In this study, the rock system during loading stage is equivalently modeled as a viscoelastic system undergoing light damping vibration, and the bifurcation characteristics

Coalbed methane (CBM) is a clean energy source that requires understanding of coal pore structures and flow behavior for efficient development. In deep formations with high gas content and low permeability, variations within coal pore structure influence methane extraction efficiency. This study explores the dynamic regulatory mechanisms influencing flow anisotropy in coal pore structures across varying

Bauxite, as a significant carrier of critical metals, plays a crucial role in the efficient extraction of its associated resources, which is essential for the advancement of strategic emerging industries. This study employs a combination of experimental and density functional theory (DFT) calculations to systematically investigate the behaviour characteristics of diaspore substituted with different

Zinc sulfides, as crucial resources for obtaining metal zinc, frequently coexisting with pyrite and being separated in alkaline pulp. However, the alkaline pulp poses a significant environmental burden. In response, the alkali-free zinc beneficiation reagent system is developed. Herein, findings from solution chemistry analysis favors the classical surface deposition mode of activator Cu(II) on sphalerite

Massive pile-up of waste glass and extreme shortage of mineral resources have caused increasingly prominent environmental and social problems, while the development and application of pervious concrete (PC) are restricted by its low mechanical properties. This paper aims to investigate the feasibility of PC using waste glass powder (WGP) and waste glass sand (WGS), and conducts a synergistic optimization

Hydrogen mineral phase transformation (HMPT) followed by a combined magnetic and flotation process is an innovative technology for the beneficiation of iron-bearing rare earth ores, and it performs superiorly in enhancing the recovery of iron minerals. During the HMPT, the rare earth minerals (particularly bastnaesite) experienced a process of oxidation–reduction-reoxidation, and the reaction behavior

Negative pressure liquid recovery technology has long been employed in the in-situ leaching of ionic rare earth (IRE) deposits. However, traditional systems face persistent challenges such as unstable vacuum maintenance and excessive energy consumption. While siphon-assisted vacuum drainage technology offers a promising solution to these limitations, the leaching characteristics of IRE under ponded

A growing global population and climate change pose significant challenges to sustainable agriculture, requiring innovative approaches to fertilizer production and carbon sequestration. This study investigates the potential of thermally-treated igneous apatite from the Lac à Paul magmatic deposit (Québec, Canada) as an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional phosphate fertilizers. The

Cemented granular materials (CGMs) such as sedimentary rocks, ceramics, and sandstones are central to both natural geologic systems and engineered structures. Despite their importance, the relationship between microscopic and macroscale mechanical behavior in natural CGMs is not yet fully understood. To help bridge this gap, synthetic analogs like sintered soda-lime glass beads offer a platform for

Removal of quartz from hematite by reverse flotation using cationic collectors is an effective approach for iron concentrate upgrading. In this paper, three hydroxyl-containing cationic collectors, i.e., N-Dodecylethanolamine (NDEA), N-Dodecylpropanolamine (NDPA), and N-Dodecylbutanolamine (NDBA), were synthesized and characterized. The flotation performance and the structure-performance relationship

The current mining climate has seen a steady increase in research and development of less energy-intensive ore mining and processing pathways, particularly for low-grade abrasive ores. Invariably, mine operators are continually seeking innovative capital and operating cost reduction options for energy- and capital-intensive unit operations such as comminution to stay competitive. In this study, the

Cracks have been proven to significantly impact soil slope stability, whereas their mechanisms influencing rock slope stability have not been effectively investigated. Within the upper-bound theorem framework, the non-linear Hoek-Brown yield envelope is divided into multiple segments using a series of tangent lines to establish a three-dimensional (3D) multi-segment failure mechanism and a discontinuity

Composite force field magnetic separators, which combine a high-velocity air stream with a magnetic field, are a potential type of equipment for processing iron ore in arid and cold regions. In a previous study, we developed a pneumatic dry low-intensity drum magnetic separator (PDLDMS) and investigated its performance in the recovery of fine-grained magnetite. In this study, we extended the study

This research investigates the feasibility of a novel approach involving a fixed-bed column system with recirculation for copper ion removal from wastewater. Adsorption kinetics of zeolites were examined using a well-established batch system and compared to a fixed-bed column recirculation system, a configuration for which only limited investigations exist. Zeolite was chosen as the adsorbent due to

The recovery of nickel and copper from nickel sulfide flotation tailings was studied by magnesium carbonate salt roasting followed by sulfuric acid leaching. Leaching was performed under atmospheric conditions using a gyratory water bath. The tailings material was roasted with and without magnesium carbonate at varying mass ratio (0.15 to 0.75), temperature (300 – 700 °C), and time (1 – 5 h). Subsequent

With the rapid expansion of China's alumina industry and the depletion of high-grade bauxite, efficient utilization of low-grade diasporic bauxite has become a critical challenge. This study proposes an innovative method combining sodium nitrate activation roasting with low-alkali leaching to enhance alumina extraction. Activation roasting at moderate to high temperatures significantly improves bauxite

This review article explores the utilization of mine tailings waste in the production of geopolymer construction materials, focusing on their potential to contribute to environmentally sustainable building practices. Geopolymers, derived from aluminosilicate-rich mine tailings, offer a promising alternative to traditional building materials by mitigating environmental pollution and lowering production

Laser processing is an effective method for cutting extraterrestrial rocks, making it potentially useful for space mining. By comparing laser processing of terrestrial basalt and the Hammadah al Hamra 346 (HaH 346) chondrite meteorite, we investigated the influence of iron-nickel (Fe-Ni) metals on laser-induced melting, cavity formation, and recrystallization. Experimental results revealed that the

The use of bacteria and their metabolites in lieu of chemicals in sulfide ore beneficiation holds promise for lessening the environmental damage caused by the minerals processing. In this study, the attachment of Leptospirillum ferrooxidans (L. ferrooxidans) to arsenopyrite/loellingite and pyrite was investigated through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of selective attachment, bacterial

Rare earth elements and yttrium (REY) are crucial for modern technologies. This study investigated the modes of occurrence, mineral hosts, and distribution in coal and laboratory-derived coal-ash samples from the Soutpansberg Coalfield (South Africa) using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), mineral liberation analysis (MLA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and

The ring formation phenomena in a semi-pilot rotary kiln during the Na2CO3 salt-roasting process of vanadium-bearing titaniferous magnetite (VTM) concentrate was investigated. Ring-shaped particle agglomeration attributed to the sticking behavior of the VTM–Na2CO3 blended particles was observed during the salt-roasting process with 15 wt% Na2CO3 at 1323 K (1050℃). This observation is explained by the

At present, in the mining process of ionic rare earths, the separation of rare earth element (REEt) from aqueous solution still relies on natural sedimentation, which has the disadvantage of low efficiency. Additionally, there will be a significant amount of rare earth ions (∼ 30 ppm) remaining in the supernatant. In this work, the use of flat ceramic membranes to separate REEt from aqueous solution

The high viscosity and high pour point of heavy oil make its extraction much more difficult than conventional crude oil. Therefore, reducing the viscosity of heavy oil during heavy oil extraction is the primary method of choice. At present, most viscosity reducers have problems such as complex preparation processes, high costs, and poor universality. This study used nano silica, which has already been

Numerous mineral processing plants have been facing increasing challenges regarding fluid ultrafine-fine tailings disposal due to the high costs of dams heightening, difficulty in the water recovering for the process and operational safety. The generation of tailings has become a huge environmental liability, especially when storage occurs upstream of landfills. In the present work, the concept of

In this research, the ethylamine-ammonium-sulfate novel system is electrochemically studied to comprehend the governing reaction mechanism for silver leaching. The effect of using ethylamine (EA) instead of monoethanolamine (MEA) on silver leaching kinetics is presented in this paper. The study was complemented with thermodynamic modelling, electrochemical tests (Tafel, linear voltammetry and OCP)

The growing concerns about the environmental impact of the mining industry, particularly the intensive use of petroleum-derived chemical reagents, surge a radical transformation towards adopting more sustainable and eco-friendly approaches. The widespread use of chemical surfactants in mineral flotation is crucial for efficiently separating valuable minerals from ores in the mining industry. However

To address the challenge of separating scheelite and calcite due to their similar physicochemical properties, this study employed sulfonated phenolic resin (SPR) as a depressant and evaluated its impacts on the flotation behavior of scheelite and calcite in the system with sodium oleate (NaOL) as a collector. The mechanism of SPR on scheelite and calcite surfaces was investigated by contact angle measurements

This study reevaluates the previously proposed hypogene hypothesis and redefines the origin of smithsonite mineralization in the Angouran deposit, Iran (4.7 Mt of sulfide ore at 27.7% Zn; 14.6 Mt of carbonate ore at 22% Zn). Geological mapping and petrological observations reveal a distinct vertical mineralized zoning: a lower primary sulfide zone containing minor amounts of smithsonite, an intermediate

Chalcopyrite, the primary copper ore, is difficult to treat by bioleaching. Although chloride ions and relatively high temperatures can catalyze this process, they can also significantly inhibit microbial metabolism. In this work, galvanic bioleaching (GalBio) of chalcopyrite was investigated by separating the leaching and microbial regeneration of the oxidant into two chambers. Therefore, stricter

High-grade cobalt residue (HGCR) produced in the zinc hydrometallurgy process is usually recovered by acid leaching method. This recovery process has the problems of difficult separation of cobalt and manganese and low recovery ratios. The main components of HGCR are oxides of cobalt and manganese, which can be calcined to form spinel manganese cobaltate, a lithium-sulfur battery cathode material with

Flotation pulp phase bubble images are captured from the pulp solution within the flotation cell and exhibit characteristics such as quantity and size that are closely related to flotation operating conditions. In this study, two specialized devices were employed to obtain bubble images from the flotation pulp solution: an underwater camera (UC) for in-situ collection of pulp phase bubbles and a bubble

The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as H2O2 and •OH during pyrite grinding and their impact on flotation under acidic conditions is well documented, yet their role in alkaline systems remains unclear. This study investigates the impact of ROS on fine pyrite floatability at alkaline pH, with a focus on ROS effect on Fe2+ oxidation. Surface oxidation products and collector adsorption

With the rapid development of the new energy industry, the demand for lithium resources has significantly increased. Spodumene, a key lithium mineral, often mixes with gangue during mining, leading to high energy consumption and carbon emissions during beneficiation. To enhance the Li2O grade and reduce production costs, intelligent pre-selection experiments using deep learning algorithms were conducted

In mineral processing, optimal operation and process control are essential. Accurate forecasting models are needed, and while data-driven models for multistep forecasting have shown promise, the potential for incorporating physics-based information to enhance accuracy was investigated in this paper. The objective was to determine accuracy improvement by adding physics information to the baseline data-driven

Spodumene frequently coexists with albite, presenting significant challenges in their separation due to their closely similar physical and chemical characteristics. In the present study, a noval reagent scheme has been proposed for the selective activation of spodumene by Zn2+ ions within the sodium oleate (NaOL) system. This innovative approach aims to enhance the efficiency of spodumene activation

This paper explores the enhancement of flotation kinetics for chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) particles through the application of ultrasound at a relatively high frequency (1.08 MHz). A novel laboratory-scale flow tubing system incorporating an ultrasonic piezoelectric tube, was designed and utilized for batch-mode flotation tests with external aeration and tailings recycling. The flotation performance was

Understanding ore texture is essential for optimising comminution and mineral liberation, yet no standardised framework exists for defining and quantifying textural attributes. This review explores the complex relationship between ore texture, breakage mechanisms, and mineral liberation, emphasising the importance of textural parameters such as grain size, mineral intergrowths, and mechanical properties

X-ray diffraction (XRDS) is a crucial analytical technique for the quantitative determination of mineral content. However, the prevalent occurrence of preferred orientation in schistose minerals presents a significant challenge to accurate quantitative analysis. To address this issue, a mathematical correction model was developed to mitigate the impact of preferred orientation, significantly enhancing