Principles of mineral processing / Основы переработки полезных ископаемых

The world is faced with opportunities and challenges that require ever-increasing amounts of raw materials to fuel various industrial sectors, and, at the same time, meet environmental constraints associated with excavating and processing these raw materials. In addition, gradual depletion of mineral resources and the necessity of handling more complex forms of resources, primary and secondary, have led to challenges in the development of state-of-the-art technologies that are metallurgically efficient and environmentally friendly. Unquestionably, technology advances are the key to sustaining a sufficient supply of necessary raw materials. To advance the technology in the production of material resources, nations look to practicing and future engineers. Current and future mineral processing engineers must obtain sound and rigorous training in the sciences and technologies that are essential for effective resource development. Many industrial and academic leaders have recognized the need for more textbooks and references in this important area. This was the driving force for writing a comprehensive reference book that covers mineral processing and hydrometallurgical extraction.

This book was written first to serve students who are studying mineral processing and hydrometallurgy under various titles. We also hope that the book will serve as a valuable reference to many industrial practitioners in the mineral processing field. In the chapters that follow, you will find first principles that govern various unit operations in mineral processing and hydrometallurgy, along with examples to illustrate how fundamental principles can be used in real-world applications. In general, the volume covers topics in the order of the usual processing sequence. Comminution, the breakage of rocks and other materials, is covered in such a way that the fundamental principles can be used not only in mineral processing but also in other relevant areas such as chemical engineering and pharmaceutical fields.
Understanding the characteristics of particles and the separation of particulate materials from one another is of ultimate importance. Separation technologies based on properties such as magnetism, electrical properties, and surface properties of various minerals are present along with industrial examples. Because most mineral processing unit operations take place in water as a medium, understanding how solids can best be separated from water is of industrial importance. Efficiently using water during effective solid–liquid separation is often vital to the success of the overall mineral beneficiation operation.
With computer application technologies continuing to emerge rapidly, the mineral industry has made tremendous advances in its industrial production. Plant automation and control often play a vital role in the overall success of the plant operation. The chapter on comminution covers some of these innovations in automation. <...>