Recent advances in the treatment and recycling of mineral processing wastewater

Abstract

Mineral processing wastewater (MPW), known as one of the main industrial sources of pollution, contains various organic and inorganic substances, such as flotation reagents, metal ions and suspended mineral particles. Thus, it is essential to treat wastewater properly to achieve standard discharge or recycling. In this study, the main sources of MPW contaminants and restrictive factors related to recycling are analyzed. Current techniques for the treatment and recycling of MPW are reviewed. Physicochemical treatments, such as natural sedimentation, neutralization, and coagulation–flocculation, which have a widespread application in beneficiation plants, are debatable owing to their low efficiency, particularly for wastewater containing recalcitrant pollutants. Biological treatments are effective in the degradation of various flotation reagents and have been successfully applied in some non-ferrous metal beneficiation plants. Although several technologies, especially advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), are emerging as promising candidates for MPW treatment, there are few reports on the full-scale application of these processes in the mineral processing industry. To achieve successful implementation of water recycling, the key quality parameters of recycled water affecting the beneficiation process must be evaluated. Therefore, choosing appropriate approaches to achieve wastewater cyclic utilization is a considerable challenge for future mineral processing plants. We hope that this review will help people better understand the state of the art of MPW management, treatment, and recycling.