What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate a high-temperature reduction settling process using iron-based additives to remediate polymetallic nickel converter slag and recover valuable nickel, copper, and cobalt.

September 17, 2026SciOpen Access

Cost-Effective Remediation of Slag Formed from Polymetallic Ores Rich in Nickel, Copper, and Cobalt by Reduction Settling Technique Using Readily Available Iron-Based Additives

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Authors

AMAleksandar M. MitrašinovićSerbian Academy of Sciences and Arts JNJasmina NeškovićMining Institute PSPavle StjepanovićInstitute of Mining

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Implication

Experimental study demonstrates over 90% recovery of valuable metals from polymetallic converter slag via reduction settling, indicating an economically viable pathway for hazardous waste remediation.

Key Points

To evaluate a high-temperature reduction settling process using iron-based additives to remediate polymetallic nickel converter slag and recover valuable nickel, copper, and cobalt.
Conducted reduction settling experiments on nickel converter slag at 1300 °C for 1 hour with and without carbon- and iron-based reducing additives, including ferrosilicon.
Characterized residual slag mineralogy and metal phase distribution using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS).
Calculated energy contributions from exothermic additive reactions alongside capital, processing, and transportation economics.
Reduction settling without additives recovered 62 wt% of valuable metals, whereas iron-based additives increased recovery to over 90% into a settled matte phase within 1 hour.
Post-treatment residual slag stabilized into fayalite (Fe2SiO4) and glassy silicates, showing virtually no detectable sulfide or leachable metallic inclusions.
Exothermic ferrosilicon reactions supplied 14.60 kWh/tonne of energy against an estimated heating cost of $44.50 per tonne, yielding recovered metals valued at approximately 10 times the total processing costs.

Cite This Study

Mitrašinović et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aabb6725f706d05830e4dbd https://doi.org/10.3390/sci8090260

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Cost-Effective Remediation of Slag Formed from Polymetallic Ores Rich in Nickel, Copper, and Cobalt by Reduction Settling Technique Using Readily Available Iron-Based Additives

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Key Points

Cite This Study

Cost-Effective Remediation of Slag Formed from Polymetallic Ores Rich in Nickel, Copper, and Cobalt by Reduction Settling Technique Using Readily Available Iron-Based Additives

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Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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