Torem International Symposium (8th Intl. Symp. on Sustainable Mineral Processing)

Mining dams tailing are the waste of mining processes that pollute and badly affect the environment around the mining sites. To find a sustainable solution of mining tailing a new technology has been developed to process the tailing to produce special bricks that can be used for the construction replacing the usual high-cost bricks. This paper will present this technology and its potential to turn mining tailings into special bricks with goods properties and considerable low cost. 

In this paper, the adsorption and removal of oil from wastewater by anthracite coal was investigated. Anthracite from Anthracite Coal Mine “Vrska Cuka” Avramica in Serbia was used as an adsorbent for oil removal from wastewater. The effects of ration of solid-liqiud system, absorption time, the value of pH, initial oil concentration, and the oil concentration in wastewater on the adsorption capacity of anthracite were investigated by dynamic experiments. Adsorption test were carried out with different anthracite coal samples. The results showed that separated coal performed some better properties in removal of oil from wastewater.

Salinity is defined as accumulation of different salts in soil which are injurious to Plant’s health. Heavy metals salts presence in soil and irrigation water are great threat to different types of crops especially underground stems like potato’s tubers. Heavy metals contamination in underground stems is one of major issue that arises due to frequent urbanization in growing cities which are injurious to the health of humans. Heavy metals salts pose a serious threat to potato crop. Salicylic acids detoxify the poisonous effect of heavy metals and improve the growth of plant under abiotic stresses in climate change scenario. The research was designed to investigate the effect of salicylic acid on morphological, physiological and anatomical responses of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the three levels of salicylic acid (0, 0.5 and 1mM) against four different concentrations of sewage water (0, 2, 4 and 6% contamination of heavy metals salts). Foliar application of salicylic acid was applied at vegetative stage. Various growth parameters and soil analysis were done. The results showed application of salicylic on tomato plants significantly improved all studies traits like shoot length, shoot fresh weight, no. of leaves, no. of shoots, leaves area, root length, root weight, tuber volume, tuber diameter, tuber numbers and fresh weight, heavy metal analysis and protein analysis in leaves with H₂O₂ content. This study proved that SA treatment improved morphology and anatomical structure of potato plants. It had potential to reduce the adverse effects of heavy metal stress.    

The decreasing of CO2 emissions on the ironmaking industries is a challenging issue. The massive use of granulated biomass and biogas in the iron ore sintering process are promising technological solutions to mitigate the environmental impacts on the steel plant. We focused on the development of a computational tool to analyze and suggest new practices for the sintering process using an integrated modeling approach by applying the multiphase and multicomponent theory. New phases, chemical species and rate equations are included. The model predictions were confronted with industrial data showing good adherence. New scenarios for utilizing the combined technologies of granulated biomass and biogas injection are investigated. The model predictions indicated that the high performance of the process with suitable sinter quality could be achieved. The sintering process fully operating with renewable energy sources is demonstrated.

In recent years, many nanostructures are gaining more and more acceptance for advanced applications due to their responsiveness to desired properties, workability, self-renewal, environmental compatibility, and low cost. These materials have been found to be more efficient than conventional materials in many cases. Within this group, hydrogels which consisted a polymeric materials are received high interest. The hydrophilic structure of which renders them capable of holding large amounts of water in their three-dimensional networks. Especially in the form of nanocomposite, the addition of inorganic solid nanoparticles (typically in the form of fibers, flakes, spheres or fine particles) into polymer matrix leads to increase in their physical, structural and mechanical properties which made them preferable material. They are able to degrade easily after their service life. Furthermore, apart from typical hydrogel beads, they can able to be produced with properties that allow a significant volume phase change or gel-sol phase transition in response to certain physical and chemical stimuli (temperature, electric and magnetic fields, solvent composition, light intensity, and pressure). These properties make them indispensable alternative materials especially for biomedical applications. In this article, the fundamental concepts, production methods and applications together with kinetics approach was reviewed on the base of composite hydrogel.

Sodium cyanide (NaCN) is a solubilizer that improves gold uptake in phytomining [1]. However, concerns have been expressed about the persistence of this adjuvant and their associated detrimental repercussions for environment. Therefore, evaluating the persistence of residual CN in the remained substrates is relevant [2]. In order to assess the loss of CN in a gold phytoextraction process with Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower) on a gold mining waste. Pots containing 3.5 kg of substrate were prepared for this study. Sunflower plants were cultivated in a homemade greenhouse. Temperature range was 24-38° C and environment humidity range was of 40-60%. Twelve weeks after seeding, all containers were treated with a dose of 250 mg.kg-1 of NaCN in solution. Seven days later, plants were harvested. Samples with 30 g of substrate were obtained in all containers at time of plant harvest 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 days after harvest. Samples were prepared and analyzed in laboratory to determine the total content of CN. We found that 7 days after the application, the CN total concentration was reduced in a 91.7% for containers without plants and 90.8%, for containers with plants, respectively. Plants cultivated in mine waste produces a small increase in loss of adjuvant[3]. These results suggest that concerns about CN could be reduced, because it is enough one week of natural intemperization processes, to reduce significantly the CN in soil. This study could be applied to the mining waste management and the environmental impact of CN application in the gold mining industry.

A rapid microwave preparation method that is a combination of alkali fusion and acid digestion (4.5 h turn-around time) was developed for the determination of REEs (Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Eb, Tm, Yb and Lu) and selected non-REEs ((Ba, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Sr, Th, Ti, U, V, Zn, Zr) by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Uranium and Th, although investigated could not be determined by ICP-OES. The aim of this method was to provide cost effective REE and selected non-REE analysis within an acceptable turn-around time to industry. The microwave method of preparation was twin streamed with a manual method entailing alkali fusion and open vessel wet acid digestion on a hotplate. The data from both methods demonstrated comparable recoveries of REEs and non-REEs (between 95 % and 105 %) with an LOQ of 10 mg L^-1. The methods were validated using two certified reference materials, CGL 124 and CGL 111. 

Mining industry annually generates millions of tons of waste that needs to be adequately managed in order to prevent environmental risks. Assisted phytoremediation with chelating agents has been proposed as a viable alternative for cleaning of Cu-contaminated soils [2]. Particularly, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS) has been suggested as an option because it has shown the ability to increase the bioavailability of metals such as Cu [3]. In assisted phytoremediation EDDS has been characterized by a short half-life in the environment [4], and as not leaching chemical. In this study, the efficiency of 4 doses of EDDS in the phytoremediation of Cu lodged in a mine waste substrate was evaluated. Helianthus annuus L. (sunflower) plant species was cultivated in homemade greenhouse for 10 weeks in a previously prepared mining waste substrate. After this period, 4 treatments (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.8 mMol/kg) of EDDS were applied to the substrate to improve the bioavailability of Cu. One week later, plants were harvested, prepared, and analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry to determine Cu concentrations in plant tissue. According to results, the dose of 0.8 mMol/kg showed the highest efficiency. In this case, the translocation factor was equivalent to 0.65, which was 116% higher than recorded in the plants used as control (0.30). In addition, the Cu bioconcentration factor, in the aerial part of plant, for the dose of 0.8 mMol/kg was 8.32, which is 407% higher than recorded in the aerial part of the controls (1.64). Regarding the underground part of the plants, the bioconcentration factor occurred in the dose of 0.8 mMol/kg was 12.85, which was 137% higher than registered in the underground part of the plants used as a control (5.42). Our results suggest that a phytoremediation process of mine waste substrate, assisted with EDDS, could be viable using H. annuus. This study provides useful data for the design of efficient strategies in Cu phytoremediation processes, for waste substrates generated by the mining industry.

Due to the current climate crisis, growing social inequities, and continued exploitation of the environment and its inhabitants, there is a dire need to incorporate education for sustainability (EfS) into mainstream education globally. STEM education is a popular educational initiative that has been integrated into curricula worldwide, which has some overlap with the pedagogies as EfS. A scoping literature review was conducted to examine the parallels between STEM education and EfS pedagogies in K-12 education. A total of 35 articles from 2012 to 2022 were reviewed. When comparing both sets of literature, the use of digital technology was a top pedagogical practice in both STEM and EfS. While design-based instruction was a common element of STEM education literature, it was only found in one of the EfS studies. Digital-technology based instruction was the most common pedagogy in the EfS literature followed by inquiry-based instruction and collaborative methods. Future research can be conducted in these areas to examine educator effectiveness at integrating EfS and STEM education by using these areas as bridges between the educational initiatives, allowing EfS to become more mainstream in K-12 education globally.

Producing concentrates from spodumene ores with the highest possible grade of lithium is an important goal to increase the efficiency of the use lithium ores in the framework of sustainability. Participating in Brazilian society project, Fundação Gorceix, through its Mining and Metallurgy Department carried out initial characterization of lithium ores, carried out bench test works in laboratory and pilot plants using a sample provided by the company.  As a result, it was possible to obtain concentrates with a high grade of lithium, above 5,7%, (target 6,0%) compatible with market demand. The subsequent work included the simplification and proposition of the new industrial process flowsheet (flotation of micas/feldspathe has been excluded). This paper will present this work and the results achieved.

Generating high iron containing concentrates is an important goal to ensure the efficiency of their Direct Reduction subsequent treatment in the framework of sustainability. This was the main objective of Fundação Gorceix when undertaking, through its Mining and Metallurgy Department two major industrial iron ore projects: (1) BAMIN's Pedra de Ferro project, which plans the production of 25 million tons of pellets per year, in the State of Bahia, outside the Ferriferous Quadrangle, with an expected start up in 2025 and (2) Compact Ores Arcelor Mittal project–Serra Azul Mine, in Minas Gerais state. 

During the course of the projects a complete research investigation was carried out including mineralogical characterization, bench scale tests and pilot plant studies. The major result of the work was the generation of a premium concentrate for Direct Reduction with iron content as high as 66.5% and with a high competitive metallurgical recovery. The industrial processing flowsheet in a compatible industrial metallurgical complex was also developed.  This paper will present this work and the results achieved. 

The San Gabriel (SG) orebody is an intermediate sulphidation epithermal deposit with mainly Au, Ag and Cu mineralization. The geometallurgical modelling of San Gabriel project was based on the geological model which describe the mineralization as a genetic relationship with breccia lithology. Breccia was subclassified in phreatomagmatic, monomictic and polymictic. From a geometallurgical point of view, only monomictic and polymictic breccias are important as these host the economic mineralization.
To flowsheet development and parameters definition it was performed several metallurgical tests during the last decade using CIL cyanidation, gravity concentration and froth flotation of the head ore and tailings also. Finally, it was decided to apply gravity concentration and CIL cyanidation due to the effectiveness in gold recovery.

The geometallurgical modelling to support the Feasibility Study was made over a total of 162 tests results that assess their representativeness, considering main features as geochemistry, lithology, alteration, mineral composition, and structure type.
As per the metallurgical test results, polymictic breccia has an amenable metallurgical behavior with higher metal recovery, on the other hand, part of monomictic breccia is associated with a lower metallurgical recovery. There is not any relation of low recovery ore with any metal element or geochemical characteristic other than the presence and high concentration of organic matter.

Geometallurgical domains are defined in function of gold extraction and there is a strong relationship between metallurgical recovery and the silver grade in the ore as a predictor of gold extraction. Furthermore, gold recovery together with silver head grade allows to define the geometallurgical units (UGM as per its Spanish acronym) into the orebody to apply the recovery criteria in the block model. Overall gold extraction algorithms regarding to each defined UGM were defined for this modelling.
Gold metallurgical extraction were loaded to the resources block model using algorithms defined during this work and the production program and gold extraction predicted for the Feasibility Study are based on the inventory of economically exploitable mineral resources and the aforementioned considerations.

Economic recovery of REEs is recognized as one of the greatest challenges of industrial inorganic separation. This challenge originates from the unique mineralogy, occurrence, and physicochemical properties of REEs. Amongst the identified 20 critical raw materials for the entire global economy, the rare earth elements (REE) have the highest risk of secure supply issues. REE are a group of 17 elements comprising 15 lanthanides plus Yttrium (Y) and Scandium (Sc). These elements are strategic and critical for both green-tech (solar/fuel cells, electric vehicles, wind turbines, low emission engines, high-strength magnets, energy-efficient lighting) and high-tech (electronic and electric devices, hard disk drives, advanced alloys, catalysts). REE are also used by the defence sector in precision-guided munitions, smart bombs, sonars, and radars. 

The state-of-the-art of industrial REE extraction is to concentrate REE minerals using froth flotation aided by physical separation methods such as multi-gravity, magnetic and electrostatic techniques. The concentrate is then treated with a mineral acid to leach out REE, followed by further purification using a hydrometallurgical method, typically solvent extraction. Unfortunately, both froth flotation and solvent extraction are the antitheses of green chemistry, which severely limits their future in the 21^st century. However, green surfactants produced from renewable sources or by bioprocesses offer important benefits compared to the conventional (petroleum-based) counterpart, such as biodegradability, better recyclability, and non-toxicity.   

Emerging greener approaches to make REE extraction more environmentally acceptable are presented and discussed, including their advantages and limitations with respect to conventional REE extraction methods. An alternative cutting-edge foam flotation separation method, a proposed hybrid of froth flotation and solvent extraction, (where the organic solvent is replaced by air, the surfactant acts as an extracting agent, and the stripping step is replaced by physical collection of the cation-enriched foam). This technology is environmentally more sustainable than the conventional and emerging methods of REE extraction.   

The convergence between quantum materials properties and prototype quantum devices is especially apparent in the field of 2D materials, which offer a broad range of material’s properties, high flexibility in fabrication pathways and the ability to form artificial states of quantum matter. Along with the quantum properties and potential of 2D materials as solid- state platforms for quantum- dot qubits, single- photon emitters, superconducting qubits and topological quantum computing elements it is necessary to select the best method of preparation spinqubit nanosystems [1].

Leptons are fermions - particles with ½ and they are an important part of the Standard Model. Following the spin-statistics (spin-communication theorem) - theorem which states that  one fermion can exist in a given quantum state and no two leptons of the same species can be in the same state at the same time lepton can have only two possible spin states - up or down. The charged lepton is the electron; the next lepton to be observed was the muon, which was classified as a meson at the time.  After investigation, it was realized that the muon has not the expected properties of a meson, but rather behaved like an electron, but with higher mass. Another lepton the first neutrino, the electron neutrino, was proposed in order to explain certain characteristics of beta decay.

When we are choosing the particles for quantum computing we should consider that the candidate for a qubit generally needs to have the quantum properties of superposition and entanglement. There are also the main technical requirements of quantum computation which are: scalable physical systems with well characterized qubits (Zeeman Splitting); long decoherence time higher than gate operation one; existence of qubits at the ground state; set of quantum gates; measurement capabilities, etc. Leptons – fermions (electrons, protons, neutrons, muons, tauon and even neutrinos) as we know have that kind of properties. Concerning the photons – bosons particles with frequency-dependent energy collecting into the same energy state (Bose-Einstein condensation), they also could acting as a qubits because of polarization effects they characterized.[2,3]. The usefulness the other boson particles as quantum information carriers is the very interesting task current and  future research works.

Producing concentrates from graphite ores with the highest possible grade of graphite flakes is an important goal to increase the efficiency of the use graphite ores in the framework of sustainability. Participating in Balama Graphite Project from Syrah Resources Company in Mozambique, Fundação Gorceix, through its Mining and Metallurgy Department carried out initial characterisation of graphite ores, carried out bench test works in laboratory and pilot plants using a large sample of graphite ore provided by the company.  As a result, it was possible to obtain concentrates with a high grade of graphite flakes, above 93%, compatible with market demand for use in electric car batteries. The subsequent work included the definition of the process flowsheet adopted for the characteristics of the current industrial exploitation in Mozambique. This paper will present this work and the results achieved. 

The market of rare-earths is reviewed.  The rare-earth market is driven by three main applications: permanent magnets, luminescent phosphors and  catalysis. The market is currently driven by  iron based rare-earth magnets.  Luminescent phsophors are a relevant application, but in this case the rare-earth acts as a dopant and  the  demand volume is not so high as  in rare-earth magnets.  Cheaper rare-earths as cerium and lanthanum are  used in catalysis. Lanthanum is used for oil cracking, for stabilizing zeolites . Other applications are also reviewed. Yttrium demand increased recently, probably due  to  increased production of yttria stabilized zirconia.

Electrical cars use typically 1-2 kg of permanent magnets of the NdFeB type, based on the NBd2Fe14B, with partial replacement of Nd by Pr, and by Dy and Tb to increase the operation temperature.  In many applications, there is the possibility of replacement of NdFeB magnets by hard ferrites as Sr2Fe12O19 or BaFe12O19. However, for electric cars, NdFeB-type magnets are preferrable  because they increase the machine efficiency. 

Many rare-earth extraction projects were recently announced in Brazil. One of the main drawbacks is the lack of technology for rare-earth concentration, and also for rare-earth oxide separation. Here, it is discussed the roadmaps to be followed to overcome such problems.  China developed better technology for rare-earth  oxide separation [1], and  this possibly is the reason for the  Chinese leadership in the rare-earth market.

Ores  containing  rare-earth are very abundant along the globe. The main problem is  cheap technology for rare-earth concentration and also for rare-earth oxide separation. Brazil has  potential for becoming a significant producer of rare-earths, by using the tailings of niobium and tin mines. However, proper technology has to be developed for using these tailings.

Anthropogenic and industrial wastes are resources for metals of high economic significance. These metals being the foremost aspect for development and national security fall in the high risk zone of critical metals. Developing countries like India is devoid of many of those critical metals due to lack of primary resources and hence the secondary resources play a pivotal role, to augmenting their supply. Wastes generated from iron & steel, aluminium, copper, zinc, and the anthropogenic wastes like WEEEs (batteries, magnets, catalysts), etc contain high risk & high economic importance critical metals like Rare earths, Se, Te, Co, Ni, Li, etc, which are worthy of exploitation for recovery. Most of these metals in their metal wheel have very minute concentration; but their concentrations are highly increased in their relevant wastes. Recycling those wastes and concurrently extracting these critical metals shall be very advantageous for developing econmies to be self-reliant in many of these net imported metals. 

This overview shall discuss on the various technological options to replenish these metals from the global cum Indian perspective, and the advent of indigenous technologies to exploit such resources. 

Though the  sustainable  development  debatediscourse for  most  of  human  history,  the impetus and made it a household name in  development  discourses  (WCED 1987). Ever since, development  schemes  focus  on  holistic  development  paradigm  that  tries  to  address  social, economic, political, and cultural discourse  is  the  interface  between  poverty,  environment,  and  resources  use. This  paper  contributes  to  the  ongoing  debate  on  the  povertyenvironment nexus. The interface between poverty and environment has seen an endless  debate  in  Africa.  Connection  between  poverty  and  environmental degradation  with contested  concepts.  While  some  scholars  place  the  blame  of  unsustainable development  on  the  poor,  others  also  ascribe  it  to  the  noncomplex  link  between  economic  status  and  environment  degradation.  For  anenhanced  appreciation  environmental  degradation scrutinize  the  institutional,  historical, and  structural  factors  that  influence  how resources are appropriaterequires government,  civil  society,  and  cooperatattempts  to  establish  a  link  between  people  and binaries likes poor/nonrelationships both  at  the  local  and way they do.

The industrial development, globalization and increased population in the world have significantly affected the food production and food consumption in such ways that negatively impact the ecosystem and the health of the people. Most of the current food systems are not sustainable, nor resilient. Many households in the developed world do not cook their food, traditional cooking practices are vanishing from the family kitchens, and people are shifting towards ultra-processed ready-to-eat food choices with poor nutritional profiles. Regardless of the fact that there is plenty of food for consumption, these nutrient-poor food choices have become the number one cause of health issues in the modern world, such as obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic syndrome problems, as well as cancers and cardiovascular diseases, which is an enormous health and economic burden for every society. The developing countries are also facing the problem of “double burden” – a combination of under-nutrition and non-communicable diseases.

Sustainable and resilient food systems can be the key factors towards a more sustainable planet and the well-being of all people. Such food systems offer not only reduced environmental pollution, but have the potential to end the hunger and yield healthier nations. A good representative of a resilient food system is the Mediterranean diet – an affordable diet with numerous science-backed health benefits, which is easily transferable to regions outside the Mediterranean basin. Mediterranean diet (MD) refers to the dietary patterns and the lifestyle habits of the people living around the Mediterranean Sea. MD is mainly a plant-based diet, which emphasizes abundant consumption of seasonal and local unprocessed (or minimally processed) fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, seeds, herbs and spices, followed by moderate consumption of fish, poultry, eggs, dairy and fermented products. Extra virgin olive oil is the main source of healthy fats, while the consumption of red meat products and products with refined sugars is low. The food is consumed together with family and friends, which along with the other social aspects and the sense of community are integral parts of the Mediterranean way of living. Numerous studies have associated the MD with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancers, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and others, but also have linked it to improved longevity and quality of life of the people who adhere to this diet.

Due to its importance, MD was recognized as an intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO in 2010, where it is defined as “a set of skills, knowledge, rituals, symbols and traditions concerning crops, harvesting, fishing, animal husbandry, conservation, processing, cooking, and particularly the sharing and consumption of food”.

In this study, different aspects of the MD will be considered with an emphasis on the nutrient-dense, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory character of the diet, which are responsible for the diet’s health benefits. The resiliency of the diet, which originally was “a diet of the poor”, its environmental impact and the potential this diet holds for the future of the mankind and the planet will be discussed, too.

Science and Technology as described in the FLOGEN Sustainability Framework is the first and most efficient and important pillar to achieve sustainability.  The National Center on Complex Processing of Mineral Raw Materials of the Republic of Kazakhstan as the largest scientific institution in the mining and metallurgical industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Central Asia countries has used the scientific research and developed new technologies to solve the global problems of traditional deposits depletion, treatment of off-grade and man-grade raw materials, achievement of integrated processing of primary minerals, and achieving the transition to deep and ultra-deep horizons in order to reduce environmental pollution and improve the quality of life of current and future generations. This presentation will describe some of these achievements with special emphasis on the following developments.

A new technology that produces an alloy of two incompatible metals – iron and aluminum that simultaneously deoxidizes and inoculates in steel. Developed as part of   "Kazakhstani Alloy" project in cooperation ThyssenKrupp (Germany) and Posco (South Korea) the technology has been patented in numerous countries. 

A new technology for thermomagnetic beneficiation and dephosphorization of high-phosphorous brown iron ores and concentrates which for the first time treats low-quality brown iron ores and produces a prime concentrate with an iron content of 65% and phosphorus content of no more than 0.25% that fully meets the requirements of metallurgical treatment in terms of chemical and mineral compositions, as well as physical properties.

An unusual new technology has been proposed to obtain ferrosilicon with a low content of aluminum and titanium based on the processing of large-tonnage renewable raw materials unconventional for metallurgy - rice husk. 

A new technology for processing of low-quality, complex oxidized and mixed gold-copper ores with poor gold content based on which more than 20 Kazakhstani and foreign gold processing enterprises have been created. Combined beneficiating and hydrometallurgical technologies for processing low-grade copper-containing raw materials have been introduced at a number of domestic deposits. 

A new technology and pilot-plant production facilities for the production of stable isotope of osmium, iodine and their compounds that put Kazakhstan on the top 3 countries leading in the production of stable isotopes.

New safe mining technologies, the latest innovative automated systems for positioning people and equipment, managing a geotechnological complex at open pit (Jetygara) have been implemented at a number of mines in Kazakhstan.

The above new technologies are added to the existing Kazakistani technology for lead smelting, using the KIVCET flash-cyclone-oxygen-electric smelting method, that has been implemented in Bolivia, Italy, Canada, and China that overall, today smelt a tenth of the world's primary lead output.

The implementation of these technologies has been made possible by a volume of investments of more than $3.5 billion and the annual output of commodity products at these enterprises at today's prices exceeds $4.0 billion while the total amount of investments in new production facilities based on them in the next 2-3 years will reach $2-2.5 billion. 

These success stories have tremendously helped achieving sustainability through science and technology and it is an important confirmation of the role of science and technology as forecasted by FLOGEN Sustainability Framework 

Electroflotation is a potencial and suitable procedure to be well-thought-out alternative for the mineral processing development. This electrochemical technique is capable of float fine particles, using micro-bubbles oxygen and hydrogen with diameters smaller than 100 μm generated from the electrolysis of aqueous solutions [1,2,3]. Another important factor that has been studied is the use of a biorreagent in the concentration of minerals [4]. Research in biotechnology indicates that biosurfactants can be used to replace chemical surfactants because they offer functional characteristics, such as negative electric charge and hydrophobicity, and have low toxicity and higher degradation capacity than surfactants [5]. In this way the aim of this work was to evaluate the electroflotation of fines particles of an itabiritic iron ore using a biosurfactant extracted from Rhodococcus opacus strain. The tests were carried out with an iron ore in a specific particle size range of -38 + 20 μm containing 77,12% Fe₂O₃ and 22,65% SiO₂. The assays were conducted in a modified Partridge-Smith binary electroflotation cell. The parameters used in these tests were iron ore mass (1g), agitation (500 rpm), conditioning time (5 min), flotation time (10 min), electrolyte concentration (Na₂SO₄ - 0.20 mol/L) and current density around 16mA/cm². Moreover, the pH and biosurfactant concentration were respectively in the range of 3 to 11 and 50 to 800mg/L. The results of the interaction study indicated a possible interaction of the biosurfactant with hematite. After conditioning of the hematite with the biosurfactant, the spectrum (FTIR) showed characteristic functional groups of the biosurfactant (NH, CH₂, C=O, COO and PO^2-). The measurements of zeta potential suggest a possible electrostatic interaction between the hematite and the biosurfactant, by shifting the isoelectric point from 5.3 to 3.5. Contact angle measurements suggest that after interaction, hematite may have become more hydrophobic, changing the contact angle from 40° to 60°. According to the surface tension analysis, a reduction in surface tension from 71 mN/m to 40 mN/m was demonstrated in the presence of 25 mg/L biosurfactant. The electroflotation experiments validated an encouraging form of hematite recovery. The best results occurred at pH 3, this behavior can be attributed to electrostatic interactions that occur in this pH range. The increase of the biosurfactant concentration favored metallurgical recovery and the iron grade, this behavior remained up to 300 mg/L, above this value occurred a decline probably caused by the formation of micelles. The maximum metallurgical recovery was 80% and the iron content 59%.

This paper asks two fundamental questions: 1) How can we have international cooperation on climate mitigation in a world of geo-political confrontation? 2) Is the impact of the international trade system on the environment only negative?

By doing so, the paper takes a comprehensive approach over how the trading system can help mitigate climate change and enhance sustainable energy. The paper brings together a top-down and bottom-up approach to the governance of sustainability. Furthermore, it analyzes two of the most relevant global regulatory trends in recent international trade agreements, namely climate change and sustainable energy.

The paper takes the novel approach of bringing together law, international political economy (IPE) and international relations (IR) to explain sustainable energy as an academic discipline. It is interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral, combining an analysis of international trade and sustainable energy from the perspectives of law, IPE, and IR—an approach that makes the paper ground-breaking and unconventional. It applies methods of legal analysis, namely a comprehensive analysis of treaties, case law, and academic writings from scholars as well as literature from other social science disciplines, such as IR and IPE, to help explore the challenges addressed.

This paper challenges the view that trade’s only impact on the environment is negative. It takes the unconventional view that the trading system goes beyond benefiting the economy and society in that it can also contribute to environmental protection, with a specific focus on decarbonization. In this sense, this paper proposes a paradigm shift in how we approach trade and develops a new theory based on the triple benefit of trade. This paper incorporates the current trend of bottom-up, rather than top-down, solutions to today’s global challenges. It: 

• Investigates how trade agreements may be more effective legal instruments than environmental agreements for environmental-protection purposes—a possibility that is both counter-intuitive and surprising;

• Identifies opportunities to promote sustainable energy and environmental protection in future trade agreements; and

• Explores the potential role of citizens in trade policy the same way prosumers are the new actors on the energy market towards the achievement of energy transition via energy decentralization and democratization. This approach shifts the paradigm from a top-down to a bottom-up perspective in sustainability governance.

The presence of high concentrations of dissolved ions in groundwater, sea water or recycled water may alter the water structure, particle surface wettability and colloidal interactions between bubbles and particles and can have a significant effect on mineral flotation [1]. While the impact of water quality on the flotation of precious and base metal minerals is well established [2], [3], there is a lack of relevant published studies regarding the effect of water salinity on the flotation of rare earth bearing minerals. This study aims to investigate the effects of using saline water and water with high concentration of dissolved salts on the flotation of rare earth bearing minerals. Specifically, this paper attempts to quantify the effect of water quality variation on flotation recovery and grade of rare earth minerals and gain an understanding on which ions existing in saline water affect flotation behaviour. The results showed that the presence of divalent metal ions such as Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ leads to significant depression of monazite flotation while the presence of monovalent metal ions such as Na⁺ affected monazite flotation recovery to a lesser extent. Comparison of various water systems for flotation showed that bore water from Western Australia resulted in decrease in recovery of >40% after two stages of cleaning.

Over the past decade, there have been increasing concerns about climate change[1]. This phenomenon affects various aspects of society. In this paper, we examine the nexus between climate change, sustainable agricultural practices, and rural migration in Africa. This area of research is particularly important because the majority of the population living in rural areas in Africa depend on local agriculture for livelihood concerns.[2] The trajectory of climate change and environmental degradation is having a drastic impact on food security at the local and regional level, and this is precipitating rural exodus across the continent. We focus on how hydrological climate conditions such as water shortage, flooding, and reduced rainfall hinder agricultural productivity, consequently inducing food insecurity, forced rural emigration, inter-ethnic conflicts, and internal displacement. Findings shows that this trend further threatens rural population retention and sustainable development. To mitigate these challenges, we propose policy recommendations based on sustainable land-use and indigenous farming practices. This paper aims at developing a strategic plan for utilizing bio-waste for agricultural land re-generation. Also, we aim at developing a strategic adaptation mechanism for communities specifically impacted by hydrological hazards. This paper relevant because the outcome of our selected case studies can be adopted by other communities facing similar climate and migration challenges. 

Bioparticles, like other biological objects, are characterized not only by different biological properties, but also purely physical. Physical parameters can be include their mass, speed of movement, mechanical, electrical, magnetic  characteristics, etc. Since the biosystems like viruses travel much less than the speed of light, are small in size and mass, vibrate with a certain frequency relative to a fixed coordinate system

Spectroscopic methods have the characteristic of providing fast results and reliable information related to the composition of the samples. The studies presented have shown promising results in a field of science that needs to be better explored. It has been shown that multivariate analysis techniques are of great importance to analyze spectroscopic data, providing the potential to identify and classify biological samples.[1-3]. We do hope that with advancement in this field of study, spectroscopic methods and tools will be used in bio medicine in the nearest future. Methods of light therapy of different diseases based on estimation of EM field characteristics and resonant wave ranges based on computer simulation of nanobioparticles characterization will be widely implemented, and possibility of determination of resonant (own) frequencies of entire system of molecules including virions will be a key point for that. Recent frontiers in technology are exploring the possibility of using external excitations to vibrate a virus to its death. The genetic material of virus is DNA/RNA enclosed within the protective protein shell (Capsid). Every cell in human body has a natural tendency to vibrate at frequency known as the natural frequency, and so the virus. Natural frequency values of these vibrations are very high compared to healthy cells, and depend on the molecular structure and differ from virus to virus.

In our opinion the concept and relevant methods of resonance therapy will be basis of different viral deceases treatment in the nearest future of practical medicine.