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Development of innovative and sustainable approaches applied to the recovery of gold and critical elements from ores and spent printed circuit boards

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Project Resume

INN4MIN intends to implement a strict I&D methodology to promote best practices in the recovery of gold from ore deposits (primary resources) and printed circuit boards PCBs (secondary resources), supported by a technological monitoring plan. Innovative methods will be investigated having as main drivers the reduction of environmental impacts, improvement of mineral processing efficiency and promotion of good practices in mining industry. Ore deposits are becoming poorer and complex. PCBs exhibits a high gold content, but their availability cannot be consistent to justify the investment on a processing plant. In line with this, INN4MIN will focus on the following topics: study of innovative comminution techniques to increase gold liberation from complex ores; use of greener reagents in the froth flotation and leaching stages; development of a cost-effective device to remove sterile material from the PCBs; design a hybrid hydrometallurgical approach for gold processing from ores and PCBs; recovery of critical elements during the hydrometallurgy of gold; improve the public perception regarding the mining industry. 

Work Packages

Sieving for Treasures

WP1 - Materials selection and characterization

Leader: FEUP

Crushed Stone Installation

WP2 - Innovative Comminution Techniques

Leader: BRGM

Electronic Circuit Board

WP3 - Physical Processing of ores and PCBs

Leader: LNEG

Laboratory

WP4 - Hydrometallurgy - An hybrid approach

Leader: GEOS

Green Hills

WP5 - Changing Public perception on mining engineering

Leader: INOVA+

Project Meeting

WP6 - Management and Promotion Activities

Leader: FEUP

Partners

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