Study of Metal Leaching from Ore Dressing Tailings

The depletion problem of available mineral resources is outlined and the reasons for its actualization due to incomplete extraction of metals from mined ores are characterized. The authors note that the strategy of the mining industry may be the use of non-traditional technologies for the extraction of metals as part of a combination of traditional and innovative leaching technologies. The utilization of enrichment tailings, the formation of an algorithm of processes and an engineering forecast of the prospects for a new technology are a hopeful direction in the development of mining production. The article describes the method of experimental substantiation of the possibility of waste-free utilization of ferruginous quartzite dressing tailings of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly. The planning matrices and the results of comparison of technologies for traditional leaching of dressing tailings in conditioners and leaching in a high-speed disintegrator mill with regression analysis of experimental data and graphical interpretation are presented. Information is given on the processes of mechanical activation, as a real opportunity to improve the performance of the processing of metal-containing raw materials, including the involvement of enrichment tailings in the production. The obtained experimental results can be used in hydrometallurgical processes, including the leaching of metals from dressing tailings, by increasing their recovery. Information is given on the content of metals in secondary tailings after leaching in a disintegrator with mechanochemical activation of processes. The authors outlined directions for improving the processes of preparing of metal-containing raw materials for leaching in conditioners – disintegrators. It is shown that the economic efficiency of waste-free disposal of enrichment tailings is composed of the cost of reclaimed metals, the raw materials for related industries and reduction of environmental damage from the storage of toxic primary processing tailings.