Tailings Utilization and Zinc Extraction Based on Mechanochemical Activation

Area of Science:

• * Mining Engineering
• * Materials Science
• * Environmental Science

Background:

• * Global mining faces challenges in sustainable metal extraction and utilizing mining tailings.
• * Technogenic raw materials from ore processing, like tailings, offer potential for integrated use.
• * Mechanical activation is crucial for modeling metal leaching and expanding tailings' application as inert fillers.

Purpose of the Study:

• * To investigate the effect of rotor speed on zinc yield from polymetallic tailings via mechanical activation.
• * To enhance the modeling of metal leaching processes by optimizing filling mixture compositions.
• * To improve zinc extraction efficiency from mining waste.

Main Methods:

• * Mechanical activation of tailings for zinc leaching using a DESI-11 disintegrator.
• * Activation of enrichment tailings and formation of filling mass with varied component compositions.
• * Curing and testing of cubic samples on an IP-1250 press.
• * Development of algorithms for 3D interpolation in Python and graphical display using Gnuplot.

Main Results:

• * Reduced NaCl concentration (13% to 1%) and stabilized H2SO4 (0.5% to 0.6%) increased zinc yield threefold (28% to 91%).
• * Zinc yield followed a polynomial law with optimized lixiviant ratios.
• * Mechanical activation influenced the strength gain of the filling mass and zinc leaching efficiency.

Conclusions:

• * The study provides insights into the mechanism of strength gain in filling mass under mechanical activation.
• * Optimized lixiviant ratios significantly enhance zinc leaching efficiency from polymetallic tailings.
• * Findings support the sustainable use of mining tailings and improved metal recovery.