In-situ mining without drilling - a paradigm shift in metal extraction
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Leicester
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Overview:
The mining industry accounts for 10 percent of world energy consumption. The US mining industry alone consumes 1246 Trillion Btu/Year. Much of this is concerned with drilling, crushing and the logistics of ore movement. Traditional ore processing is generally carried out using either hydrometallurgy (high cost, low volume, reasonable selectivity) or pyrometallurgy (lower cost, high volume, low selectivity). Both methods require a large energy input and produce large volumes of waste e.g. slags or waste water. This project will seek to propose a paradigm shift in mining seeking to extract metals in situ without drilling. This will use a new type of solvent process and a novel method of fracturing rock with the aim of being more selective, using less energy, and being more environmentally compatible.
Electrocatalytic and electrolytic methods can be used to solubilize metals and metallic compounds from complex matrices. Ionic media can also increase the selectivity and efficiency of metal extraction and winning. The main issue is mass transport and rates of reaction in viscous media. This project aims to use focused ultrasound to dissolve minerals in-situ. Ultrasound has been used for assisted drilling (UAD) but never with a reactive lixiviant. Negating much of the need for drilling and moving and treating gangue material could reduce energy consumption by 80% and reduce environmental issues such as tailings dams and slag heaps.
The project will address a diverse group of ore minerals commonly encountered in important hydrothermal deposit types such as epithermal gold and porphyry copper (including the world-class Lepanto deposit, in the Philippines, with our partner ARGO). These minerals, and the chemical elements they host, pose both challenges and opportunities for mineral processing operations.
This project will explore the electrochemistry of common sulfosalt minerals in ionic liquids to assess the potential for new environmentally-benign approaches to processing. It will suit a student, either with a degree in mineral processing/applied geology/geochemistry/mineralogy who is keen to develop skills in chemistry and engineering, or with a degree in chemistry who is keen to apply their skills in the mineral processing industry.
Ionic liquids change metal reactivity - image shows copper chloride dissolved in 8 different ionic liquids.
Alt text: Solutions of copper in 8 ionic liquids. Colours range from red (left) to greens (centre) to deep blue (right)
The mining industry accounts for 10 percent of world energy consumption. The US mining industry alone consumes 1246 Trillion Btu/Year. Much of this is concerned with drilling, crushing and the logistics of ore movement. Traditional ore processing is generally carried out using either hydrometallurgy (high cost, low volume, reasonable selectivity) or pyrometallurgy (lower cost, high volume, low selectivity). Both methods require a large energy input and produce large volumes of waste e.g. slags or waste water. This project will seek to propose a paradigm shift in mining seeking to extract metals in situ without drilling. This will use a new type of solvent process and a novel method of fracturing rock with the aim of being more selective, using less energy, and being more environmentally compatible.
Electrocatalytic and electrolytic methods can be used to solubilize metals and metallic compounds from complex matrices. Ionic media can also increase the selectivity and efficiency of metal extraction and winning. The main issue is mass transport and rates of reaction in viscous media. This project aims to use focused ultrasound to dissolve minerals in-situ. Ultrasound has been used for assisted drilling (UAD) but never with a reactive lixiviant. Negating much of the need for drilling and moving and treating gangue material could reduce energy consumption by 80% and reduce environmental issues such as tailings dams and slag heaps.
The project will address a diverse group of ore minerals commonly encountered in important hydrothermal deposit types such as epithermal gold and porphyry copper (including the world-class Lepanto deposit, in the Philippines, with our partner ARGO). These minerals, and the chemical elements they host, pose both challenges and opportunities for mineral processing operations.
This project will explore the electrochemistry of common sulfosalt minerals in ionic liquids to assess the potential for new environmentally-benign approaches to processing. It will suit a student, either with a degree in mineral processing/applied geology/geochemistry/mineralogy who is keen to develop skills in chemistry and engineering, or with a degree in chemistry who is keen to apply their skills in the mineral processing industry.
Ionic liquids change metal reactivity - image shows copper chloride dissolved in 8 different ionic liquids.
Alt text: Solutions of copper in 8 ionic liquids. Colours range from red (left) to greens (centre) to deep blue (right)
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NE/S007350/1 | 01/10/2019 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 2734175 | Studentship | NE/S007350/1 | 01/10/2022 | 31/03/2026 | Philip Hunt |