ABSTRACT. Existing technologies for developing ore deposits lead to irrational energy costs for delivering empty rock as part of the ore to the surface, while the content of the target component in the extracted raw material can be hundredths of a percent, not to mention the environmental damage from placing dump waste in the open air. A process of underground processing of rock mass is proposed, based on grinding of ore in an artificial liquid with intermediate density between the target and waste components. Herewith ballast minerals are automatically freed from intergrowths with valuable components by floating up during milling. This prevents the irrational expenditure of most of the energy on unjustified grinding of the main constituent of ore. As a result of the proposed treatment, when mining ores of most metals, the weight of the rock mass brought to the surface decreases by 7...10 times, whereas when mining gold, this reduction can reach hundred-fold. Thus, the reduction of the volume of cargo lifted onto the earth's surface is the second factor in reducing energy costs in mining.
ABSTRACT. Water contaminated with heavy metals is one of the most serious environmental problems in the world. Their timely detection and removal are of key importance for human health and ecosystems. The possibility of simultaneous real-time monitoring and bioremediation of waters contaminated with heavy metals has been established. Constructed wetlands with integrated sediment microbial fuel cells have been proposed for this purpose. Water contaminated with heavy metals - copper, chromium, nickel and zinc - was examined using them. All studied water samples showed a sudden voltage peak (in the range from 150 to 200 mV) when the contaminant entered the cell and a gradual decrease in voltage corresponding to the decreasing of the contaminant’s concentration. Chromium ions were removed the fastest – for 28 hours. The soil played the role of a protective layer for the electroactive microorganisms in the anode area, adsorbing the heavy metals in its upper layer and ensuring the efficient operation of the system. The studies showed an increase in the concentration of heavy metals in the surface soil layer between 5 and 35 mg/kg.
ABSTRACT: Petroleum contamination in soils, often resulting from mining operations and oil and gas drilling activities, poses a serious threat to environmental and human health. These industrial activities can lead to the release of petroleum hydrocarbons into terrestrial ecosystems, where they persist for extended periods, disrupt ecological functions, and degrade soil and water quality. Therefore, the development of sustainable and effective remediation strategies is essential for mitigating the environmental footprint of resource extraction processes. However, the efficiency of conventional soil remediation methods varies widely – from 20% to over 90% – depending on hydrocarbon type, soil properties, and environmental conditions. These traditional approaches suffer from several critical limitations, including prolonged treatment durations, non-selectivity, high operational and logistical costs, and large land requirements. Moreover, they can disrupt the native soil microbiome, reduce soil fertility, and degrade organic matter, potentially leading to the accumulation of toxic or persistent intermediate compounds. To address these challenges, this paper aims to develop an eco-sustainable and cost-effective alternative remediation method. The study investigates the application of magnetic nanoparticles – specifically magnetite (Fe₃O₄) – as a promising remediation approach for oil-contaminated soils. Due to their high surface area, hydrophobicity, strong adsorption capacity, and ease of recovery via magnetic separation, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles offer distinct advantages over conventional remediation techniques. The proposed mechanism involves the desorption of hydrocarbons from soil organic matter, subsequent adsorption onto nanoparticle surfaces, and recovery through magnetic separation. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of nanoparticle concentration, contact time, and soil pH on the removal efficiency of petroleum hydrocarbons. Results demonstrate that nanoparticles sized between 15–20 nm can achieve up to 47–48% removal of nonpolar petroleum constituents—particularly heavy aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons – under optimised conditions. Furthermore, a synergistic approach combining Fe₃O₄ with oxidising agents such as persulphate was explored to enhance the degradation of recalcitrant hydrocarbons and improve nanoparticle recyclability. This research supports the integration of nanotechnology into sustainable remediation practices, particularly within the broader context of environmentally responsible raw material extraction, and contributes to the advancement of clean-up technologies for contamination originating from extractive industries. Key words: Petroleum spills, contaminated soils, iron oxide nanoparticles, remediation
ABSTRACT. The study investigates material composition of silicate nickel ores from Zakhidno-Lashchivka area in Ukraine. Mineralogical analysis is carried out on nontronite and ochreous samples. Correlation analysis examines the relationship between mineral composition and the content of Fe, Ni, and Co. Thermodynamic calculations are performed using the ASTRA software package. The optimal parameters for the reduction process in the temperature range of 300–3000 K are determined. Technological studies involve reduction roasting to facilitate leaching of oxidised ore in ammoniac solutions. Magnetic separation of roasted material contributes to the recovery of a non-magnetic product containing 2.5–3.2% Ni and a magnetic fraction with 1.8% Ni. Flotation of the roasted product yields concentrates with 3–5% Ni at a recovery rate of 17-50% (sample 1) and 7.4-46% (sample 2). Magnetic cleaning increases the Ni content in the flotation concentrate to 8% for the nontronite sample (sample 1) and up to 7% for the ochreous sample (sample 2). A process flowsheet is developed, involving roasting at 1000°C for 2 hours, followed by ammoniac leaching. After thickening, precipitation, filtration and drying, nickel product (47% Ni, 0.5% Co, 0.8% Fe) with a moisture content of 65–70% is obtained. Nickel precipitation is performed by heating to 80°C for 1 hour, which allows ammonia to be recycled back into the leaching process.
ABSTRACT. A jaw crusher is one of the most important machines in the field of hard material crushing and is used in the processing industry. This paper presents the possibility of modelling a real jaw crusher as a virtual model. The objective is to test a machine without time-consuming and costly experiments using real prototypes. Instead, simulations with a virtual prototype can predict the machine’s behaviour. A multi-body simulation is particularly suitable for simulating machines with moving components. The method of multibody simulation is analysed in relation to the development process and operation of a pendulum jaw crusher. With the model depicted in the simulation environment, studies on the design of a jaw crusher are conducted. The results are compared with values from empirical and analytical calculations. It is possible to analyse the kinematics and forces at any point on the crusher with the created model. Selected scenarios, such as the retraction mechanism and the stroke, were analysed.
ABSTRACT. The paper presents a comprehensive approach to optimising kaolin deposit modelling using geostatistical methods of spatial interpolation. The study focuses on improving the assessment of the spatial distribution of mineral components using the example of the Yosypivka kaolin deposit. To enhance the accuracy of mineral resource forecasting, a comparative analysis of various interpolation methods, including Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) and Kriging, was conducted, emphasizing their efficiency in modelling the spatial variability of the chemical composition of the raw material. The primary methodological foundation of the study is geostatistical analysis, which includes variogram analysis, spatial interpolation, and statistical data processing. Key variogram parameters were determined, reflecting the spatial correlation of Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂, and K₂O contents. The obtained results indicate the feasibility of applying the Ordinary Kriging method for predicting the spatial distribution of mineral components, as it allows for consideration of the anisotropy of geological formations and the spatial dependence of data. Additionally, a correlation analysis of the chemical composition of kaolin raw materials was conducted, revealing medium-intensity relationships between major mineral components, particularly between Al₂O₃ and TiO₂. The identified correlations formed the basis for further modelling using CoKriging, enabling the integration of interdependent parameters into the interpolation process and improving the accuracy of the obtained forecasts.
ABSTRACT. This study aims at the recovery of non-ferrous metals from pyrometallurgy copper slag enriched in diopside, fayalite, and protomangano-ferro-anthophyllite and containing 0.36 % copper, 1.93 % zinc, and 0.09 % cobalt by bioleaching with silicate-solubilising strain Bacillus megaterium CCM 3360. Two techniques of bioleaching were applied: (i) direct one-step bioleaching, where the bacterial strain was cultivated in an Ashby medium and the presence of copper slag; (ii) indirect bioleaching of copper slag with spent medium obtained after separation of the bacterial cells. The results revealed that 5 % pulp density was the optimal out of the tested pulp densities (5-10%), as 15 days was the optimal duration for the direct bioleaching and 3 days for the indirect technique. The formation of biofilm on the surface of copper slag particles was the primary mechanism of the leaching of non-ferrous metals, and their recovery was between 41.7-48.7%. Indirect leaching with bacterial metabolites played a secondary role in base metals leaching. Keywords: copper slag, Bacillus, bioleaching, silicate bacteria
ABSTRACT. The complexity and specificity of the problem with the release of high concentrations of sulphates from mining sites characterised by sulphide ores requires the application of an adequate selection of existing treatment technologies. The proposed screening is based on three steps - preliminary screening based on the rate of development and commercialization of the technology and the ability to achieve a certain threshold of sulphate removal; screening of technologies based on productivity, costs and other factors; and screening based on the rate of removal of other important pollutants. The purpose of the proposed analysis is to highlight the advantages and limitations of each approach and to identify the most applicable water treatment technologies to reduce sulphates in wastewater, using a unified methodology for evaluation and ranking. The result is a list of technologies classified by their applicability, which can be used as a guide or starting point for further study and a detailed review of the possibilities for sulphate removal from wastewater. For the sulphates removal from extractive waste influenced waters (EWIW), limestone / lime treatment (as a pre-treatment process), the SAVMIN process, the GYP-CIX process and the biological sulphate reduction in bioreactor seem to be the most applicable treatment processes, as among the treatment processes that use biological sulphate-reduction, the bioreactors are the most effective.
Abstract: A possibility has been found for determining the resistances in a loop that cannot be disconnected, by measuring with an ohmmeter. Such loops form the rotor windings of collector motors. To showcase the method, a fictitious example with a small number of collector plates has been described. The method has been applied by studying a motor for a mine locomotive DRT – 10A2 with 105 collector plates. The resistances of the sections of the wave winding have been determined.
ABSTRACT. Organic acids are being explored as biodegradable lixiviants for extracting valuable metals from various sources with a lower environmental footprint. However, studies on using organic acids for silver extraction from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) remain limited, particularly regarding process parameters and leaching kinetics. This study employed response surface methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) to optimise acetic and citric acids for silver leaching from WPCBs. Key parameters included are temperature, lixiviant concentration, and leaching time. Kinetic behaviour was analysed using Arrhenius and shrinkage core models. RSM-CCD analyses indicated that the quadratic model effectively predicted silver leaching percentages across the tested factors, with significant effects noted for most parameters, except temperature in the acetic acid system. Optimal silver recovery was 11.48% for acetic acid (38.8°C, 2.5 M, 4 h) and 15.2% for citric acid (37.7°C, 1 M, 1.5 h). Kinetic studies showed leaching was diffusion-controlled, with activation energies of 13.13 kJ/mol for acetic acid and 3.3 kJ/mol for citric acid. Overall, this study sets the foundation for a scalable and environmentally sustainable silver recovery from WPCB.
ABSTRACT. Waelz slag is a by-product generated during the high-temperature treatment of various zinc containing metallurgical residues in rotary kilns, most commonly through the Waelz process. This study focuses on the comprehensive characterisation of three types of Waelz slag (WS), each generated as a by-product of zinc extraction from a distinct processing route employing different charge materials: electric arc furnace dust (EAFD), zinc cakes from hydrometallurgical leaching, and lead smelting slags treated pyrometallurgically. The aim was to assess their potential for sustainable utilisation. The analyses included chemical composition, particle size distribution, phase identification through X-ray diffraction (XRD), and morphological assessment via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Magnetic separation and density measurements were also performed to evaluate the material’s processability. The results revealed significant variations in elemental composition, grain size distribution, porosity, and magnetic behaviour among the samples. High iron and calcium contents suggest potential applications in metallurgy and cement production, while elevated porosity and silicate content support possible use in construction materials. These investigations provide a foundation for the development of targeted recycling strategies in line with circular economy principles, reducing the need for landfill disposal and enabling the valorisation of industrial by-products.
ABSTRACT. The article analyses the current state and prospects of using renewable energy sources in Ukraine and across the world. The list and current state of wind power plants in Ukraine and the impact of military operations on them are presented. On the basis of the conducted research, the most efficient wind power plants for the conditions of mining regions are identified. The advantages and disadvantages of wind power plants are presented. The methods of eliminating the negative impact of wind turbines on the environment are highlighted. The calculation of wind energy potential for a particular site – the Kryvbas areas disturbed by mining – is presented.
ABSTRACT. The paper examin es the potential use of quartz feldspar concentrate obtained as a result of kaolin enrichment to meet the growing demand for quartz feldspar materials, which are essential components in the production of ceramic tiles, sanitary ceramics and other products. The research methodology includes laboratory tests of the chemical composition of kaolin enrichment waste and analysis of the possibility for obtaining marketa ble quartz feldspar concentrates using flotation and electrostatic separation methods. The result s showed that high quality concentrates (possessing the necessary physical and chemical properties) that are suitable for ceramic production can be obtained by flotation of such waste. The use of such waste contributes to reducing waste volumes and ensuring a stable supply of raw materials for the ceramics industry.
ABSTRACT. Zeolites are types of inorganic porous materials that have been widely investigated and applied for their excellent sorption ability for wastewater treatment. Their low cost, safeness, natural abundance and accessibility make them good candidates for a large-scale application. Pollution generated by organic compounds, especially hydrocarbons from oil spills and crude oil refineries emerge as a great concern for aquatic life and the environment. The hydrophobic and highly stable molecules of hydrocarbons determine their persistence toward conventional methods involved in water treatment plants and accidental spills in oceans and seas. This paper presents the works that have been focused on implementation of natural and synthetic zeolites and their modified forms as well as zeolite composites for removal of hydrocarbons from wastewater.
ABSTRACT. The article presents the development of a new explosive mixture based on agricultural ammonium nitrate, possessing high detonation capability, increased water resistance, and physical stability. The concept for its creation is based on obtaining an oil-in-water (O/W) type microemulsion, produced using vegetable oil. Calculations conducted showed that the use of 100 % rapeseed oil methyl esters compared to diesel fuel improves emulsification by 14 %, reducing emulsification time by 15 %. Due to the structure of the microemulsion, ordinary agricultural ammonium nitrate can successfully retain around 7.5 % of the microemulsion. This amount of fuel phase is sufficient for obtaining an explosive composition with an appropriate oxygen balance. Substituting the porous ammonium nitrate (PAN) with agricultural ammonium nitrate - the cheapest oxidizer for the production of the newly developed explosive mixture, reduces its production cost and significantly increases the competitiveness of the product.
The study focuses on understanding the efficiency and kinetics of copper recovery from secondary sulphide ores, which are increasingly becoming a significant source of copper. An experimental investigation was undertaken to assess the leaching behaviour of secondary copper sulphides in acid and ammonia media. The test work consisted of ore sample characterisation, including physico-mechanical properties determination, chemical assay, whole rock analysis, mineralogy, and copper distributions, followed by acid consumption tests, agglomeration, and agitation leach tests. Leaching tests were conducted in a lab-scale agitated reactor using 100 g of the ore sample, 0.3 l of leach solution, а stirring rate of 420 rpm and a leach time of up to 200 hours. The effect of the reaction time and oxidant (Fe3+, NO+) concentration on the copper recovery was evaluated. The maximum copper extraction was obtained in the test performed using acid media with the addition of NO+ as an oxidant. Further, a potential hydrometallurgical process option for recovering copper from secondary sulphide sources is proposed.
ABSTRACT. Proper management of overburden materials can reduce the environmental impact and increase the benefits of mining activities. It is important to consider the specific composition of the overburden and local needs when selecting the most appropriate recovery method. And while much of the overburden material can be used in construction, reclamation, cement production and more, the green waste problem has not been sufficiently solved. In the present publication, the possibilities of generating energy from the green waste from the overburden through bio-electrochemical systems are investigated. The possibilities of generating energy from grass, wood chips and leaves have been studied. The best results were achieved in grass utilisation, generating a power density of 107,58 mW/m2.
ABSTRACT. The paper presents a geotechnical investigation of the structural integrity of the Ellatzite open-pit mine and considers the achieved bench face angle, while looking at the final geometry shaping of the bench face. The study shows that the influence of the lithology, rock mass structure, mining technology and water saturation of the bench faces is of crucial importance for achieving a long-term sustainability of the mine benches. Therefore, some efforts need to be made to optimise the technological processes in the mine, as well as to drain precipitated and groundwater away from the slopes, by maintaining an effective and appropriate drainage and dewatering system.
ABSTRACT. In the current paper, the iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been demonstrated to facilitate the extraction of heavy metals from post-mining contaminated soil due to their water solubility and adsorption capabilities for the target contaminants. Furthermore, IONPs were subsequently removed from the treated soil through phytoremediation and bioaccumulated in the roots and stems of legume plants. For that purpose, 20 nm IONPs coated with an organic shell of humic acid were engineered and their adsorption capacity was assessed to heavy metals as cadmium (Cd2+), lead (Pb2+), zinc (Zn2+), manganese (Mn2+), copper (Cu2+), and nickel (Ni2+), which are common pollutants of acid mine drainage. In the framework of phytoremediation employing legume plants, the IONPs were directly introduced into the experimental soil samples alongside compost. Subsequently, it was noted that the legume roots absorbed the nanoparticles, acting as carriers for the captured heavy metals, thus aiding in their translocation to the aboveground portions of the plants. When introduced into soil environments, humic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles in combination with compost may exert positive effects on rhizosphere microbial populations. This can occur through the reduction of toxic metal ion levels and the potential side reaction of degrading or transforming organic pollutants into less harmful substances. Ultimately, the heavy metals become immobilized within the plant biomass, which can subsequently be harvested and removed from the contaminated site. This process leads to soil purification and remediation. The report presented here outlines a promising avenue for practical implementation, combining organic-coated IONPs with select plants to enhance bioaccumulation of heavy metals. This approach aims to develop future cost-effective passive treatment systems for the phytoremediation of soils contaminated postmining sites.
ABSTRACT. The aim of the work is to create a mathematical model of liquid waste storage that accumulates processed products and mine waters simultaneously from many mining and processing plants, taking into account technological constraints on waste volumes and climatic factors depending on the season. The proposed mathematical model of node of technogenic influence is based on the balance of material flows in and out the node. A typical node of technogenic influence is an accumulation node. In the problem considered in this paper, the accumulation node is a waste storage facility where liquid man-made deposits are stored. The model of this node includes a system of equations describing the height of the water mirror and the bottom level depending on the volume of placers and water in and out for the analysed period of operation, taking into account the geometric features of the storage. The main directions of material flows can be formed from two or three nodes of technogenic influence. The first case is typical for underground mining, and the second one is typical for open pit mining. In the second case, the main direction is formed from the node of extraction of primary deposits, the node of processing or separation, and the node of accumulation or the node of storage of man-made deposits. The mathematical model makes it possible to determine the level of the free surface mirror in any month of the year, as well as to calculate the change in the current height of the water mirror in storage for any period of the year, such as spring months or all year round.
