Raw materials

String-based extraction could revolutionize lithium production

By Lisa McDonald / November 10, 2023

With the drastic increase in demand for lithium, new sources and extraction methods are needed to secure sufficient supply. Princeton University researchers led development of a new passive method for extraction of lithium from saltwater. The method, if advanced to industrial scale, could significantly decrease both the time and amount of land necessary for lithium production.

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From trash to treasure: Environmentally friendly recovery processes allow reuse of battery scraps

By Guest Contributor / November 7, 2023

More environmentally friendly recycling methods are needed to make the lithium-ion battery market into a sustainable and circular economy. Two recent studies demonstrate some ways to accomplish this goal.

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Video: Rapid expansion of exploratory licenses in Tasmania worries landowners

By Lisa McDonald / September 13, 2023

The mining and minerals processing industries are economically significant sectors for the Australian island state of Tasmania. But as companies apply for more and more exploratory licenses to identify new minerals deposits, landowners in the state are concerned about the environmental impacts.

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Facing the lithium shortage, plus more inside August 2023 ACerS Bulletin

By Lisa McDonald / August 3, 2023

The August 2023 issue of the ACerS Bulletin—featuring an overview of the global lithium market—is now available online. Plus—USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries.

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Effects of expanded graphite content on the performance of magnesia carbon bricks

By Lisa McDonald / July 11, 2023

Magnesia carbon bricks are widely used in steelmaking because of their excellent thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties. These bricks can be fabricated using various carbon sources. In a recent paper, researchers at Changwon National University investigated the effects of expanded graphite content on MgO–C bricks.

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Balancing cost and quality—tradeoffs of creating all-oxide CMCs from fiber bundles with higher filament counts

By Lisa McDonald / June 30, 2023

Balancing cost and quality is an important consideration for manufacturers and researchers looking to commercialize their innovations. Researchers in Germany explored the tradeoffs that come with creating all-oxide ceramic matrix composites from fiber bundles with higher filament counts.

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Maximizing resource use—modified starch aids in selective separation of feldspar and quartz from tailings

By Lisa McDonald / June 27, 2023

Instead of open-pit mines, tailings may become the primary source of feldspar and quartz in the future if the minerals can be selectively extracted from the waste. Researchers in China showed that hydroxypropyl starch can improve the flotation separation of feldspar and quartz.

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Structural clay experts convene in Austin, Texas, for networking, technical presentations, plant tours, and more

By Greg Geiger / June 14, 2023

The 2023 combined meeting of the ACerS Structural Clay Products Division, ACerS Southwest Section, and Clemson University’s National Brick Research Center took place in Austin, Texas, June 5–7. More than 100 attendees came to enjoy the networking, technical presentations, and plant tours.

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Remediating mine waste—ceramics aid in treatment of acid mine drainage

By Lisa McDonald / June 6, 2023

With the rapid growth of the global mining sector, it is crucial that miners adopt improved regulations and lower-impact methods to reduce the sector’s environmental and social footprint. Ceramics play an important role in environmental remediation, and today’s CTT highlights two studies that use ceramics to treat acid mine drainage.

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Video: Upcoming deadline risks deep-sea mining taking place without regulations

By Lisa McDonald / May 31, 2023

The International Seabed Authority is running up against a July 9 deadline to finish developing a code for deep-sea mining. The possibility of mineral exploitation taking place without regulations has marine scientists concerned because so much is still unknown about the environmental effects of this practice.

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