Heavy metal pollution in complex polymetallic ore processing: migration mechanism, treatment technologies, and future
Pengcheng Tian1, Peng Gao1, Zhidong Tang1
1School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Mineral Processing, Beijing, 102628, PR China; National-local Joint Engineering Research Center of High-Efficient Exploitation Technology for Refractory Iron Ore Resources, Shenyang, 110819, PR China.
Environmental Research
|July 22, 2026
Summary
This review presents a framework for controlling heavy metals (HMs) during complex polymetallic ore (CPO) processing. It clarifies HM occurrence, migration, and offers advanced treatment strategies for sustainable resource utilization.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Metallurgy
- Geochemistry
Background:
- Complex polymetallic ores (CPOs) processing releases heavy metals (HMs), risking ecosystems and health.
- A comprehensive understanding of HM migration and control throughout CPO processing is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a comprehensive framework for heavy metal control in CPO processing.
- To elucidate HM occurrence, distribution, and migration mechanisms.
- To analyze advanced treatment technologies and propose collaborative strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on CPO processing and HM behavior.
- Analysis of HM occurrence forms (independent, isomorphous, adsorbed, inclusion phases).
- Elucidation of HM migration and transformation mechanisms during key processing stages.
Main Results:
- Clarified occurrence forms and distribution characteristics of HMs in CPOs.
- Elucidated migration and transformation mechanisms of HMs throughout the mineral processing chain.
- Summarized advanced treatment technologies for source prevention, process interception, and end-of-pipe remediation.
Conclusions:
- A full-process collaborative management framework for HM pollution control in CPO processing has been established.
- Emphasis on integrating pollution control with resource recovery for sustainable CPO utilization.
- Identified future research directions in technological industrialization, multi-metal management, and standardization.
Keywords:
Complex polymetallic oresHeavy metalsMigration and transformationMining processingOccurrence formsResource recoveryMore Related Videos
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