Extractive Metallurgy Handbook

As the world’s need for metals increases and the grade of ores decreases, to find more effective and efficient methods for processing the ores available and recycling previously used metals, is one the most important task to consider. There is no doubt that extractive metallurgy provides the processes to be used in the treatment of ores, consequently try to know and understand all the possible alternatives of treatment are very important.

The modern industry claims from metals and alloys whose characteristics match with the requirements each time more exigent. Then, an Extractive Metallurgy Handbook pretend to show the main principles involve in the processing of several types of ores with economical interest. The principles begin with the basic concepts of chemistry and physics and how can be employed to industrial level.

Thus, the first step is addressed to study the mechanical preparation of the ore. In this area is necessary to mention some equipment such as crushers, screens, and ball mills. It is impossible to start a metallurgical process without any mechanical preparation.

Other important part comprises the concentration processes to be used when the ore does no present an attractive metallic content in the nature. The concentration can be done employing several processes such as froth flotation, magnetic concentration, and Gravimetry. This part is vital because is feasible to eliminate or reduce some contaminants that affect the metal extraction. Some times, will be necessary to use more than one process when is required to have a good metallic concentrate.

The extractive metallurgy is divided in two areas: ferrous and non-ferrous, consequently is required to study both fields. The ferrous extractive is addressed to the treatment of iron ores, and its transformation until obtain a particular type of alloy which is called steel. Also, it is important to mention the types of furnaces that can be used and its variations.

The other part is the called non-ferrous extractive and involves the extraction of several metals such as copper, aluminum, lead, zinc, nickel, tin, silver, gold, platinum, rhodium, titanium, antimony, bismuth, titanium, and others. As can be seen, these metals are used in many areas of the daily life. Obtain them economically is many times a challenge, so the metallurgists and people involve in the treatment of these metallic ores must learn all the possible ways to extract the metals.

A key part in the extractive processes is the pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy, and electrometallurgy. The pyrometallurgical processes are done to high temperature using several types of furnaces and roasters. Many extractive processes start with this step. The hydrometallurgical processes are carried out using a leaching agent that has for objective to dissolve the valuable metal. The electrometallurgical processes are many times the last step of the treatment of non-ferrous metals. The main examples are copper, gold, lead and zinc.

A handbook always tries to show how to get and employ the metals, and of course to mention the fundaments related to the extraction and how can be solved many problems which trends to improve the quality of the metals obtained from several metallurgical processes.