Iron, Copper, and Zinc Ore Processing, Smelting, and Metal Recovery
This community focuses on the extraction, purification, and metallurgical processing of base metals, specifically iron, copper, and zinc, from their raw ores. The work covers the physical and chemical mechanisms required to separate valuable minerals from waste rock and to refine raw metals into industrial-grade products.
The research centers on flotation separation, acid leaching, and smelting processes. Key recurring topics include the behavior of iron ore pellets, copper slag, and chalcopyrite minerals. Studies examine the mechanisms of selective flotation, magnetic separation, and direct reduction. The work also addresses the recovery of metals from furnace dust and the management of byproducts like smelting slag. These processes are fundamental to the production of iron, steel, and copper, with significant attention to the chemical interactions that determine separation efficiency and metal purity.
The largest share of this community's output is found in iron research, accounting for 7.6% of all iron-related papers, and 2,401 papers within this group. Copper research follows, representing 6.1% of copper-related papers and 2,043 papers here. Zinc contributes 1.3% of its research field, with 1,160 papers in this community.
The community comprises 10,785 papers, with the highest publication volume in Minerals Engineering, Journal of Iron and Steel Research International, and Hydrometallurgy.
Recent work continues to focus on refining flotation techniques for zinc oxide and phosphate ores, as well as the mechanisms of bioleaching and impurity removal during copper refining.
Papers behind this description
- Ironmaking and Steelmaking — 2024 — doi:10.1201/9781003099949-3
- Global iron and steel plant CO2 emissions and carbon-neutrality pathways — Nature, 2023 — doi:10.1038/s41586-023-06486-7
- Global green hydrogen-based steel opportunities surrounding high quality renewable energy and iron ore deposits — Nature Communications, 2023 — doi:10.1038/s41467-023-38123-2
- Decarbonizing the iron and steel industry: A systematic review of sociotechnical systems, technological innovations, and policy options — Energy Research & Social Science, 2022 — doi:10.1016/j.erss.2022.102565
- Low-carbon production of iron and steel: Technology options, economic assessment, and policy — Joule, 2021 — doi:10.1016/j.joule.2021.02.018
- Application of steel slags, ferronickel slags, and copper mining waste as construction materials: A review — Resources Conservation and Recycling, 2023 — doi:10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107175
- Hydrogen-Based Reduction Technologies in Low-Carbon Sustainable Ironmaking and Steelmaking: A Review — Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy, 2023 — doi:10.1007/s40831-023-00772-4
- Progress in bioleaching: fundamentals and mechanisms of microbial metal sulfide oxidation – part A — Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2022 — doi:10.1007/s00253-022-12168-7
- A review of CO2 emissions reduction technologies and low-carbon development in the iron and steel industry focusing on China — Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2021 — doi:10.1016/j.rser.2021.110846
- Flotation behavior and mechanism of smithsonite under the system of bidentate ligand sulfide sodium thiocyanate — Separation and Purification Technology, 2023 — doi:10.1016/j.seppur.2023.126086
- An overview of biochar production techniques and application in iron and steel industries — Bioresources and Bioprocessing, 2024 — doi:10.1186/s40643-024-00779-z
- Stepwise Removal Mechanism of Impurity Using Multi-Flux During Blister Copper Pyrometallurgical Refining — Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B, 2025 — doi:10.1007/s11663-025-03850-y
- Advances in zinc oxide mineral flotation: Fundamentals, practices and perspectives — Minerals Engineering, 2025 — doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2025.109621
- Progress in bioleaching and its mechanism: a short review — Discover Environment, 2025 — doi:10.1007/s44274-025-00454-w
- Advances in phosphate ores flotation: Cleaning reagents, green practices and perspectives — Minerals Engineering, 2026 — doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2026.110120
- Agricultural processes simulation using discrete element method: a review — Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 2025 — doi:10.1016/j.compag.2025.110733
- Novel dodecylphosphonic acid collectors for the selective flotation of cassiterite from quartz: Flotation performance and DFT study — Applied Surface Science, 2025 — doi:10.1016/j.apsusc.2025.165091
- Atomic-level steering of charge flow from type-II to S-scheme in In2O3/BiOCl via vacancy–metal pairs for CO2 photoreduction — Chemical Engineering Journal, 2026 — doi:10.1016/j.cej.2025.172537