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Chapter

Introductory Chapter: Extraction

Metallurgy – New Perspectives
Swamini Chopra

1. Introduction

Metallurgy is the scientific field that deals with the study of metals and their
properties. While extraction metallurgy is a branch of metallurgical engineering that
focuses on the extraction of metals from ores, their refining techniques and
converting them into useful materials. Extraction of useful metals is a vital aspect of
metallurgy, and nowadays it is not only limited to metallic ores [1, 2]. The mining
and refining of minerals like borosilicate and calcium carbonate for engineering
applications is also considered a part of extraction science [3]. The extraction
process involves a series of complex steps that require specialized knowledge,
advanced technology, and highly skilled workers. Extraction metallurgy is critical to
modern society, as it provides
the raw materials for many industries, including aerospace, construction, energy,
and electronics. This book brings together some of the recent developments in the
field of extraction and refining of extracted products, followed by their applications.
Meanwhile, this introductory chapter will provide an overview about extraction metal-
lurgy, including its history, importance, and the main steps involved in the process.
The chapter will also highlight some of the key challenges and research advances in
extraction metallurgy, as well as some of the environmental and social impacts of the
industry.

1.1 History of extraction metallurgy

The history of extraction metallurgy can be traced back thousands of years, to

the early days of human civilization. The earliest metalworkers used simple
techniques to extract metals from their ores, such as heating them in fires or
washing them
with water. Over time, as metallurgical knowledge and technology advanced, more
complex methods were developed [4, 5].
One of the most important advances in extraction metallurgy occurred during the
industrial revolution in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries [6]. During this time,
new technologies were developed that enabled large-scale production of metals such
as iron and steel. The Bessemer process, invented in the 1850s, was one of the most
significant advances in the field. This process involved blowing air through molten
iron to remove impurities and produce high-quality steel [7, 8].
Since then, extraction metallurgy has continued to evolve and improve, with new
technologies and methods being developed to extract a wider range of products and
produce them more efficiently.
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Extraction Metallurgy – New Perspectives

2. Importance of extraction metallurgy

The use of metals and minerals is an essential component of modern society.

Metals are used in the construction of buildings, transportation systems, and
consumer goods such as electronics and appliances [9]. Minerals are used in a wide
range of industries, including agriculture, construction, and manufacturing [10, 11].
However, the raw materials for these products are not readily available in their
usable forms. The ores that contain these metals and minerals are often found in
remote loca- tions and require extensive processing to extract the valuable metals
and minerals.
Extraction metallurgy is the process of extracting metals and minerals from their
ores. It is a critical process in the mining industry and plays an essential role in the
production of many industrial and consumer goods [2]. The extraction of metals
involves a series of steps that are designed to separate the desired metal from the
rest of the ore. This process involves the use of various chemical, physical, and
mechanical methods to separate the metal from the ore. Extraction metallurgy is an
important process that has significant economic and environmental implications. The
economic importance of extraction metallurgy is evident from the fact that it is used
to extract valuable metals that are used in various industrial processes [12]. These
metals include copper, gold, silver, lead, zinc, nickel, and iron. The value of these
metals var- ies, but they are all in demand due to their unique properties and uses.
For example, copper is one of the most widely used metals in the world and is used in
electrical wiring, plumbing, and electronic devices. Iron is used in the construction of
build- ings, bridges, and vehicles. Zinc is used in galvanizing steel, and aluminum is
used
in the construction of airplanes, cars, and beverage cans. Extraction metallurgy has
also played a critical role in the development of new technologies. For example, the
extraction of lithium from brines has become essential for the production of lithium-
ion batteries [13, 14], which are used in electric vehicles and portable electronic
devices. The extraction of rare earth elements from ores has also become
increasingly important for the production of electronics and advanced technologies.
Extraction metallurgy also plays a crucial role in reducing the environmental
impact of mining. Mining can have significant environmental consequences, includ-
ing soil erosion, water pollution, and habitat destruction. By using extraction
metallurgy to extract metals from ores, the environmental impact of mining can be
reduced. This is because extraction metallurgy involves the use of various chemical
and physical processes that allow for the efficient extraction of products from ores.

3. Importance of research in extraction metallurgy

Research in extraction metallurgy is important because it allows for the

development of new and more efficient processes for extracting metals and minerals
from ores. This is important because their demand is ever increasing, and traditional
extraction processes may not be able to keep up with this demand. Research in extrac-
tion metallurgy also allows for the development of more environmentally friendly
processes that reduce the impact of mining on the environment. For example,
investigating the use of bioleaching to extract copper from its ore is proving to be an
efficient process by using microorganisms to break down the sulfide minerals in cop-
per ore [15, 16]. This process might prove to be more environmentally friendly than
traditional smelting as it produces fewer emissions and requires less energy.
2
 Research in extraction metallurgy also allows for the development of new
materials and alloys that have unique properties and uses. In near future, the use of

3
Introductory Chapter: Extraction Metallurgy – New Perspectives
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112882

nanotechnology to develop new materials with unique properties will accelerate the
future of metallurgy. These materials may have applications in various industries,
including electronics, medicine, and energy.

4. Challenges in extraction metallurgy

Apart from the benefits, extraction metallurgy is a complex process that involves
many challenges. One of the biggest challenges is the fact that ores are often complex
mixtures of minerals that must be separated to extract the desired component [17, 18].
This requires the use of various chemical and physical processes that can be expensive
and time-consuming. Another challenge in extraction metallurgy is the fact that ores
may contain impurities that can interfere with the extraction process. For example,
copper ore may contain sulfur, which can form sulfur dioxide during smelting [15].
This can lead to environmental problems such as acid rain.

5. Extraction metallurgy process

Irrespective of the metal or mineral to be extracted, the process of extraction

remains fairly same. It involves steps like mining, crushing, grinding, concentration,
smelting, refining, and casting. The choice of method for extraction depends on sev-
eral factors such as the type of ore, the concentration of the metal or mineral within
the ore, and the desired purity of the final product. These steps are discussed below:

• Mining

The first step in extraction is the mining. Mining involves the extraction of ores
from the earth's crust. Ores are rocks that contain valuable metals such as copper,
gold, silver, and platinum. The mining process involves drilling, blasting, and hauling
the ore to the surface.

• Crushing and grinding

Once the ore is extracted, it is crushed and ground into small particles. This
process increases the surface area of the ore, making it easier to extract the metal or
mineral. The crushing and grinding process may involve several stages, depending on
the size of the ore and the desired particle size.

• Concentration

After the ore is crushed and ground, it is concentrated to increase the

concentration of the metal or mineral to be extracted. Concentration involves sepa-
rating the desired material from the unwanted components present in the ore. This
is typically done using gravity separation, flotation, or magnetic separation. Gravity
separation involves using the differences in the density of the metal or mineral and
the surrounding rock to separate them. Flotation involves using chemicals to make
the metal or mineral hydrophobic, or repel water, and the surrounding rock
hydrophilic, or attract water. Magnetic separation involves using magnets to separate
the metal or mineral from the surrounding rock.
4
 Extraction Metallurgy – New Perspectives

• Smelting

Smelting is the process of extracting metal from its ore by heating it to a high
temperature in the presence of a reducing agent. The reducing agent reduces the
metal oxide to metal. The most commonly used reducing agent is coke (a form of
carbon). The metal is then separated from the slag (the waste material) using various
techniques.

• Refining

After smelting, the metal is purified further to remove any impurities. This
process is known as refining. This process is used for minerals as well and involves
the use of various techniques such as electrolysis, precipitation, and distillation.

• Casting

The final step in metal extraction is casting. The purified metal is cast into various
shapes and forms, depending on its intended use. Casting involves melting the metal
and pouring it into a mold to give it the desired shape. This step is not usually needed
for the minerals.

6. Extraction techniques

The extraction of useful products can be achieved by following techniques [19, 20]:

• Hydrometallurgy

Hydrometallurgy is a metal extraction technique that involves the use of aqueous

solutions to extract metals from their ores. In this technique, the metal is dissolved in
an acidic or alkaline solution, and the impurities are separated using various methods.

• Pyrometallurgy

Pyrometallurgy is a metal extraction technique that involves the use of high

temperatures to extract metals from their ores. In this technique, the ore is heated to
high temperatures, and the metal is extracted using various methods.

• Electrometallurgy

Electrometallurgy is a metal extraction technique that involves the use of

electricity to extract metals from their ores. In this technique, the metal ions in the
ore are reduced to metal using an electric current.

5
Introductory Chapter: Extraction Metallurgy – New Perspectives
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.112882

Author details

Swamini Chopra
Centre of Excellence in Materials and Metallurgy, Maharashtra Institute of
Technology, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, Maharashtra, India

*Address all correspondence to: [email protected]

© 2023 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. This chapter is distributed under the terms of
the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0),
which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided
the original work is properly cited.
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 Extraction Metallurgy – New Perspectives

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