The main objective of the project is to determine the potential and prospects for the use of coal mining waste as an alternative source of critical raw materials (CRM), in particular Rare Earth Elements (REE) and to develop an effective method for their recovery. The subject of the research will be coal mining waste from hard coal and brown coal mining, primarily deposited in heaps, backfilling areas and from current production. For the developed technology, the a comprehensive technical, economic (TEA) and ecological/environmental impact analysis (LCA) will be developed for the purpose of construction of a demonstration and industrial installation for the recovery of CRM from mining waste. Due to the fact that this type of wastes are located in areas in transition, where the coal mining industry was and is currently located, these areas are a natural potential place for the construction of such an installation. Taking into account the huge resources of mining waste, the construction of this type of CRM recovery plant(s) would equally contribute to improving the situation of these regions and would minimize the impact of closed mines on the socio-economic conditions of the society living there.
To achieve the main objective of the project, it is necessary to achieve the following sub-objectives:
- proper selection, sampling and comprehensive physicochemical and geotechnical analysis of samples originating from coal mining waste and current production (hard coal and brown coal) in particular to determine their content of critical raw materials (CRM),
- performing a series of research studies aimed at determining and optimizing proper methods and techniques in order to select and establish effective technological system for efficient recovery of CRM from mining wastes.
- preparation and delivery a comprehensive technical and economic study (TEA) and ecological assessment (LCA) for the purpose of construction of a CRM recovery installation on a demonstration scale (10 Mg/h of raw materials) and on an industrial scale (100 Mg/h).