ABSTRACT

Sustainable practices within the mining and energy sectors are assuming greater significance due to uncertainty and change within the global economy and safety, security, and health concerns. This book examines sustainability issues facing the mining and energy sectors by addressing six major themes: Mining and Mineral Processing; Metallurgy and Recycling; Environment; Energy; Socioeconomic and Regulatory; and Sustainable Materials and Fleets. Emphasizing an integrated transdisciplinary approach, it deliberates on optimizing mining productivity and energy efficiency and discusses integrated waste management practices. It discusses risk management, cost cutting, and integration of sustainable practices for long-term business value. It gives a comprehensive outlook for sustainable mineral futures from academic and industry perspectives covering mine to mill optimization, waste, risk and water management, improved efficiencies in mining tools and equipment, and performance indicators for sustainable developments. It covers how innovation and research underpin management of natural resources including sustainable carbon management.

•Focuses on mining and mineral processing, metallurgy and recycling, the environment, energy, socioeconomic and regulatory issues, and sustainable materials and fleets.

•Describes metallurgy and recycling and uses economic, environmental and social parameter analyses to identify areas for improvement in iron, steel, aluminium, lead, zinc, copper, and gold production.

•Discusses current research on mining, performance indicators for sustainable development, sustainability in mining equipment, risk and safety management, and renewable energy resources

•Covers alternative and conventional energy sources for the mineral sector as well water treatment and remediation and energy sustainability in mining.

•Provides an overview of sustainable carbon management.

•Offers an interdisciplinary approach with international focus.

section 2|119 pages

Metallurgy/Recycling

chapter 9|15 pages

Selective Leaching

An Ecological Solution for Recovering Metals from Complex Minerals and Materials?

section 3|119 pages

Environment

chapter 17|15 pages

Sustainability and Regional Development

When Brownfields Become Playing Fields

section 4|216 pages

Energy

chapter 20|29 pages

Water and Energy Nexus

Impact of Energy Development on Water Resources

chapter 22|32 pages

Nuclear Power

Current Status and Prospects

chapter 24|22 pages

Photovoltaics

Current and Emerging Technologies and Materials for Solar Power Conversion

chapter 25|24 pages

Improving Process Efficiency by Waste Heat Recuperation

An Application of the Limaçon Technology

chapter 28|16 pages

Unconventional Gas

section 5|67 pages

Socio-Economic, Regulatory