Optimal Replacement of Granite Modified with Ife Iron and Steel Slag on Strength Properties of Concrete

Steel is produced from iron ore and purification of metal scrap, leading to manufacture of hundreds of tonnes of steel slag each year. This study investigated the optimum replacement of granite with Ife Iron and Steel Nigeria Limited (ISN) slag that produce maximum Compressive Strength (CS), Split Tensile Strength (STS) and Flexural Strength (FS) of concrete using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) from Design Expert Version 7.0. The outcome of the study showed that the optimum replacement of granite with ISN was 28.85% ISN at 0.47 W/C.

Disposal of copper electrofining solutions

The paper presents studies of the processing of spent copper electrolyte from the processing of non-ferrous metal scrap at a copper smelter in Kazakhstan. For the processing of the spent electrolyte, a stage-by-stage neutralization was carried out using zinc sublimates and potash. As a result of the first stage of neutralization with zinc sublimations to pH 4.7, a precipitate with a content of PbO 44.69 %; PO2 16.36 % was obtained. After processing the sediment with an alkaline solution, carbonization and melting at a temperature of 900 oC, metallic lead and tin-containing slag with a content of SnO2 of 16.36 % were obtained. As a result of the second stage of neutralization with potash to pH 7.1, a precipitate was obtained-with a CuO content of 76.45 %. After the third stage of neutralization with potash to pH 9.5, a precipitate with a content of NiO 27.63 % and ZnO 55.75 % was obtained. After treatment of the precipitate with a solution containing 100 g / dm3 KOH, a zinc-containing solution with a ZnO content of 225.0 g/dm3 and a precipitate were obtained, after calcination of which nickel oxide with a NiO content of 89.14 % was obtained.

A Review of Secondary Aluminum Production and Its Byproducts

Secondary aluminum production is required for the conservation of the environment. It can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption and reduce the consumption of alumina, a source of primary aluminum. Secondary aluminum production requires sorting processes for the metal scrap before starting the refining process. Salt slags generated from both primary and secondary aluminum production need to be recycled/treated as they are considered hazardous byproducts. This review paper discusses the methods used for sorting and refining aluminum waste and managing and utilizing slag cakes/slag from recycling techniques.

A Review of Tungsten Resources and Potential Extraction from Mine Waste

Tungsten is recognized as a critical metal due to its unique properties, economic importance, and limited sources of supply. It has wide applications where hardness, high density, high wear, and high-temperature resistance are required, such as in mining, construction, energy generation, electronics, aerospace, and defense sectors. The two primary tungsten minerals, and the only minerals of economic importance, are wolframite and scheelite. Secondary tungsten minerals are rare and generated by hydrothermal or supergene alteration rather than by atmospheric weathering. There are no reported concerns for tungsten toxicity. However, tungsten tailings and other residues may represent severe risks to human health and the environment. Tungsten metal scrap is the only secondary source for this metal but reprocessing of tungsten tailings may also become important in the future. Enhanced gravity separation, wet high-intensity magnetic separation, and flotation have been reported to be successful in reprocessing tungsten tailings, while bioleaching can assist with removing some toxic elements. In 2020, the world’s tungsten mine production was estimated at 84 kt of tungsten (106 kt WO3), with known tungsten reserves of 3400 kt. In addition, old tungsten tailings deposits may have great potential for exploration. The incomplete statistics indicate about 96 kt of tungsten content in those deposits, with an average grade of 0.1% WO3 (versus typical grades of 0.3–1% in primary deposits). This paper aims to provide an overview of tungsten minerals, tungsten primary and secondary resources, and tungsten mine waste, including its environmental risks and potential for reprocessing.