Current trends in mining are driving the demand for subsurface extraction technologies with low surface impacts that protect surface and ground water. Moreover, the necessity for sustainable mineral extraction technologies has increased as regulatory restrictions and technical challenges to traditional mining grow with production from deeper and deeper remaining metal resources. This book provides a state-of-the-art synopsis of in situ metal recovery and remediation technologies based on both research and commercial projects. In situ recovery uses fluid-based metal dissolution and recovery to extract one or more commodities from a largely intact rock mass using similar processes that create ore deposits. The fluid is circulated through ore by gravity and/or pumps using injection and recovery wells. A processing facility is usually established at the surface of the operation to extract the commodity of interest. The barren fluid is then recirculated back into the recovery circuit. In situ remediation uses similar wellfield technology and chemical processes to stabilize metal contaminants by injecting agents that form stable solids or less toxic species when combined with a contaminant. The fluid depleted in the stabilizing agent is then pumped back to the surface and regenerated. In situ mining or recovery has been successfully applied to several commodities, including uranium, sulfur, evaporites, and copper, which have favorable chemical properties and deposit types for in situ recovery.

Wills' Mineral Processing Technology provides practising engineers and students of mineral processing, metallurgy and mining with a review of all of the common ore-processing techniques utilized in modern processing installations. Now in its Seventh Edition, this renowned book is a standard reference for the mineral processing industry. Chapters deal with each of the major processing techniques, and coverage includes the latest technical developments in the processing of increasingly complex refractory ores, new equipment and process routes. This new edition has been prepared by the prestigious J K Minerals Research Centre of Australia, which contributes its world-class expertise and ensures that this will continue to be the book of choice for professionals and students in this field.This latest edition highlights the developments and the challenges facing the mineral processor, particularly with regard to the environmental problems posed in improving the efficiency of the existing processes and also in dealing with the waste created. The work is fully indexed and referenced. - The classic mineral processing text, revised and updated by a prestigious new team - Provides a clear exposition of the principles and practice of mineral processing, with examples taken from practice - Covers the latest technological developments and highlights the challenges facing the mineral processor - New sections on environmental problems, improving the efficiency of existing processes and dealing with waste.

This third edition of the SME Mining Engineering Handbook reaffirms its international reputation as "the handbook of choice" for today's practicing mining engineer. It distills the body of knowledge that characterizes mining engineering as a disciplinary field and has subsequently helped to inspire and inform generations of mining professionals.Virtually all of the information is original content, representing the latest information from more than 250 internationally recognized mining industry experts. Within the handbook's 115 thought-provoking chapters are current topics relevant to today's mining professional: Analyzing how the mining and minerals industry will develop over the medium and long term--why such changes are inevitable, what this will mean in terms of challenges, and how they could be managed Explaining the mechanics associated with the multifaceted world of mine and mineral economics, from the decisions associated with how best to finance a single piece of high-value equipment to the long-term cash-flow issues associated with mine planning at a mature operation Describing the recent and ongoing technical initiatives and engineering developments in relation to robotics, automation, acid rock drainage, block caving optimization, or process dewatering methods Examining in detail the methods and equipment available to achieve efficient, predictable, and safe rock breaking, whether employing a tunnel boring machine for development work, mineral extraction using a mobile miner, or cast blasting at a surface coal operation Identifying the salient points that dictate which is the safest, most efficient, and most versatile extraction method to employ, as well as describing in detail how each alternative is engineered Discussing the impacts that social and environmental issues have on mining from the pre-exploration phase to end-of-mine issues and beyond, and how to manage these two increasingly important factors to the benefit of both the mining companies and other stakeholders