Mineral Mining
- Molybdenum (Mo):
Found primarily in molybdenite ores, molybdenum is a refractory metal known for its high melting point and strength. It is widely used in steel alloys to enhance strength and resistance to corrosion, making it indispensable in the aerospace and automotive industries. The mining process involves crushing ore to liberate molybdenite, followed by flotation to concentrate the metal.
- Iron Ore (Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄):
Iron ore is the foundation of the steel industry, which underpins infrastructure, construction, and transportation. Magnetite (Fe₃O₄) and hematite (Fe₂O₃) ores are extracted through surface or underground mining. The raw material undergoes beneficiation processes such as crushing, grinding, and magnetic separation to produce iron concentrates for steel manufacturing.
- Potash (KCl):
Potash, primarily potassium chloride, is a critical nutrient for agriculture, used in fertilizers to support crop growth. Extracted from evaporite deposits, potash mining often involves solution mining, where water is injected to dissolve the mineral before it is pumped to the surface and crystallized.
- Nickel (Ni) and Cobalt (Co):
These metals are key to the production of batteries, particularly for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage. Nickel and cobalt are often found together in laterite or sulfide ores. Hydrometallurgical techniques, including high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL), are used to extract these metals in an energy-intensive process that requires advanced handling systems to manage corrosive materials.
