Articles tagged with Mining Engineering
A global review of 411 studies found that river sand and gravel mining is removing sand faster than it can be replenished, threatening rivers, infrastructure, and communities. The study recommends better tracking, measurement, and regulation to manage extraction and protect the environment.
Researchers developed a robotic system inspired by social insects to optimize mining operations. The honeybee-inspired approach outperformed others in tests, reducing travel distance by up to 80% and completing ore delivery tasks 60% faster.
A new report from Curtin University's Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre warns that Western Australia must transition to higher-value industries to secure long-term prosperity. The sector still underpins the state's economy, but decarbonisation and technological change are reshaping resource markets.
Researchers at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) have successfully addressed an airflow anomaly caused by heavy rain, thanks to data-driven decisions and advanced airflow sensors. By analyzing this phenomenon, they've gained valuable insights for underground operations worldwide.
Researchers at MIT have developed a low-temperature process to extract battery-grade lithium from hard rock minerals, minimizing waste and costs. The closed-loop system can produce useful materials, including lithium salts, alumina, and silica, with an estimated cost reduction of half compared to traditional methods.
A new Northwestern University study finds that most proposed US lithium mines could face significant water shortages, posing challenges to the country's growing industry. Climate change and competition for resources exacerbate existing water stress in areas like southern California and Nevada.
A new model combines text mining and machine learning to extract service-specific aspects and customer actions from online reviews. The model effectively identifies core technical issues and user love for a platform, enabling targeted decisions for improvement. Researchers validated the model using 231,705 online reviews of Roblox.
Researchers have developed a technique to detect and measure the concentration of rare-earth elements in plants without destroying them. The method uses fluorescence spectroscopy to distinguish between autofluorescence from plant matter and rare-earth element uptake.
The University of Utah has launched a new Institute for Critical and Strategic Minerals (ICSM) to address the US's growing reliance on foreign critical minerals. The institute aims to expand sustainable, domestic sources and production of critical minerals through education, workforce development, and cutting-edge research.
A new framework, 'just-shoring,' aims to shift focus from competition and security to the rights and interests of local communities whose lands are most at risk. The approach prioritizes accountability and transparency, giving communities a legal right to co-govern throughout the mineral lifecycle.
A study reveals that expanding existing mines worsens environmental and social risks over time, with many operations concentrated in high-risk contexts. The practice tends to draw less regulation due to its routine nature, unlike new mining projects.
The study found that consuming bananas grown in soil impacted by iron mining waste poses a possible health risk to children aged six years or younger. The team correlated the risk to human health with the transfer of toxic elements from the soil to the plant, revealing high concentrations of cadmium, chromium, and other metals.
Mosses have been found to remove metals from water by utilizing the help of their microbial symbionts. The key to this process is the cooperation between the moss and its endophytes, which enhance metal tolerance. Mosses from polluted environments were found to host more beneficial microbes that facilitate metal removal.
A study reveals that the Mar Menor lagoon has sediments with excessive levels of lead, arsenic, and other toxic metals accumulated over centuries due to mining activities. The research highlights the ongoing risk these metals pose to aquatic organisms and ecosystems, even after the closure of mines in the 1990s.
Research suggests that the US can mine sufficient graphite to produce batteries for electric vehicles and stationary storage, but economic factors make it challenging. The country's supply of natural graphite exceeds demand projections, while synthetic graphite demand is expected to outpace supply.
Researchers discovered that bacteria living in Norway spruce needles can transform soluble gold into solid particles. The findings suggest that certain spruce-associated bacteria can facilitate the formation of gold nanoparticles inside needles, which could lead to environmentally friendly mineral exploration methods.
The University of Pittsburgh is launching a groundbreaking undergraduate degree in Natural Gas, Renewables, and Oil Engineering (GRO), combining traditional oil and gas engineering with renewable systems. The program prepares students for a rapidly changing global energy market and offers strong career prospects.
A team of researchers at Rice University has developed a faster and cleaner method for recovering aluminum from bauxite residue, or red mud, by using a brief electrical pulse and chlorine gas. The process, called flash Joule heating, selectively vaporizes toxic metals while retaining almost all the aluminum.
A new study demonstrates that microscopic differences in iron can be spotted using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, allowing archaeologists to identify the origin of Spanish iron objects. This technique follows a quiet revolution in southeast archaeology, where metal detectors have been adopted for large-scale survey work.
A new study revisits forecasts made in 2002 about the world's rocky shorelines, finding some threats have materialized while others have not. The researchers highlight the importance of addressing issues like ocean acidification and plastic pollution to protect coastlines.
The SEMACRET project developed socially and environmentally sustainable means of exploring critical raw materials in the EU. Research results refined ore deposit models, optimizing regional prospectivity modeling and advanced geophysical imaging inversion algorithms.
Dr. Gadhamshetty, a leading expert in environmental engineering, brings over 25 years of experience to the role. He aims to expand the journal's influence and promote transformative research that addresses critical environmental challenges.
Dr. Latifur Khan, a renowned computer science professor, has been elected as an AAAS Fellow for his pioneering work in machine learning and big-data analytics. He developed innovative solutions to adapt machine learning models to cybersecurity risks and created an AI-driven tool to analyze political conflict and violence.
Researchers at Cornell University have developed a cost-effective way to track atmospheric mercury using wild fig tree rings in the Peruvian Amazon. This method offers a potential solution for understanding mercury spread and impact on ecosystems.
Dr. Rita Okoroafor's research integrates geochemistry, geomechanics, and reservoir engineering to improve understanding of fluid-rock interactions in subsurface technologies. Her work enhances hydrogen storage efficiency, optimizes geothermal reservoir performance, and improves CO2 storage security.
A new study by UMass Amherst hydrologists finds that lithium mining models significantly overestimate the amount of freshwater available in the Lithium Triangle. The research suggests that local communities, regulators, and the industry must work together to reduce water usage within sustainable limits. The study's findings have immedi...
The grant aims to develop an electrochemical system capable of recovering uranium from wastewater, improving ecosystem health and addressing uranium security. The project will focus on designing electrode materials for efficient uranium extraction and minimizing toxic waste.
The new AI model leverages hypergraphs to quickly and accurately identify therapeutic gene targets for diseases. HIT outperformed existing models in all tested metrics, demonstrating its accuracy in classifying therapeutic gene targets with great precision.
A new book analyzes the Western colonial origins of the mining industry and its post-colonial legacies in the Central African Copperbelt. The research reveals the significant role of Chinese investors in modernizing mines, claiming to support a sustainable future.
The University of Texas at Arlington is developing more efficient processes for sourcing rare earth elements needed to produce high-performance magnets. The project aims to make the mining of these critical materials more environmentally sustainable and cost-effective.
Lithium niobate's ferroelectric domain engineering enables control over polarization states, enhancing material versatility for advanced optical and acoustic devices. This technology is poised to revolutionize photonics, telecommunications, quantum optics, data processing, and medical technologies.
A new electrokinetic mining technology developed by Chinese researchers enables sustainable and efficient recovery of rare earth elements from ion-adsorption deposits. The technology reduces leaching agent usage by 80%, mining time by 70% and energy consumption by 60%.
A new study from Tel Aviv University finds minimal environmental pollution resulting from ancient copper production in King Solomon's Mines, with pollution levels confined to smelting furnaces. Researchers also contradict previous claims of widespread industrial pollution, citing low levels of lead and other metals in soil samples.
The Global Young Academy Asian Event-Global π Roundtable 2024 brought together experts to discuss strategies for addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development. The event explored topics such as resilient cities, mineral resources, and the integration of art and culture in scientific communication.
A new technology extracts lithium from brine at concentrations as low as 20 ppm, making it economical for sources with low lithium concentrations. This innovation can create new value in oilfields, mining, and geothermal wells, potentially propelling Saudi Arabia into a leadership role in the global clean energy market.
A new study from Duke University reveals that historic lithium mining is unlikely to contaminate surrounding waters with common pollutants like arsenic and lead. However, high levels of other metals including lithium, rubidium, and cesium were found in the mine's waters.
The University of Arizona has received a $2.5 million grant from the Freeport-McMoRan Foundation to develop K-12 programs that educate teachers and students about responsible mining practices. The program aims to inspire students to pursue education and careers in the mining industry, particularly in sustainable materials and innovation.
Researchers found that less than two percent of Dutch North Sea abandoned wells leak methane from shallow gas accumulations. The study alleviates concerns from earlier German research that suggested one-third of all wells would leak methane.
A research team led by Virginia Tech will test the geologic conditions at the Roanoke Cement Plant for storing 1.7 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year for three decades. The project aims to prevent estimated 50 million metric tons of carbon emissions from entering the atmosphere.
Scientists at Penn State have engineered a bacterial protein to better separate rare earth elements, enriching neodymium and praseodymium. The discovery has the potential to revolutionize industrial mining, offering a more efficient, greener, and less expensive process.
A new standard in lithium processing has been set with the innovative EDTA-aided loose nanofiltration (EALNF) technology, which extracts both lithium and magnesium simultaneously. The method achieves 90% lithium recovery and turns leftover magnesium into a valuable product, reducing waste and its environmental impact.
A comprehensive assessment of human activity in the Arctic reveals that over 5% of the region is affected by light pollution, with an annual increase of 4.8%. The study highlights the critical need for monitoring and planning to support sustainable development and conservation in the Arctic.
A team of researchers has developed a method to extract valuable materials such as biopolymers and phosphorus from wastewater treatment plants. These biomaterials can be used as sustainable alternatives to oil-based products in various industries, including paper production, building materials, and water purification.
Karimian's research will investigate common hardware-based attacks on biometric systems, including spoofing, template, side-channel, and fault-injection attacks. He also aims to develop a hardware-based biometric template protection system that addresses bias in facial recognition software.
Researchers from Göttingen University identified the low crystallisation temperatures and groundwater origin of amethyst geodes in northern Uruguay. The study proposes a new model explaining their formation, which could improve exploration techniques and lead to sustainable mining strategies.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a new cooling system that extracts water from the air using gravity, eliminating the need for electricity. The system can double the rate of water collection compared to alternative technologies and offers significant energy savings.
CAR-T cell therapy, a regenerative immunotherapy, has shown promise in treating blood cancers but struggles with T-cell exhaustion. Researchers have discovered that overproduction of the IL-4 protein causes this exhaustion and used CRISPR gene-editing technology to remove it, improving CAR-T cell therapy outcomes.
A new technology can extract lithium from brines at an estimated cost of under 40% that of today's dominant extraction method. The approach uses redox-couple electrodialysis and is expected to be relatively inexpensive due mostly to lower capital costs.
A study found that energy companies use repeated phone calls, home visits, and 'legalized compulsion' to force homeowners to give up their land for hydraulic fracturing. The researchers reviewed data from Ohio and found that many negotiations end in compulsion rather than consent.
A study by the University of Essex found that oil and gas extraction can cause a nearly 30% decline in species richness near platforms, with pollutants like hydrocarbons up to 10,613% higher within 500m. This has a direct impact on marine invertebrates and food webs.
Researchers warn of unprecedented arsenic release from wildfires, potentially releasing up to half of the arsenic emitted globally each year. Contaminated mining sites exacerbate wildfire risks, with wetlands being the most concerning due to their tendency to store contaminants.
Researchers have designed a new way to recycle steel using an electrochemical pathway that removes contaminants like copper, reducing carbon emissions. The process generates liquid iron and sulfur as by-products and has potential for higher-grade product creation.
Researchers found that bubbling olive products before oil extraction decreases oil quality. The study measured absolute phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, and acidity levels in bubbled oil (BO) compared to virgin olive oil (VOO). BO had lower antioxidant properties and higher acidity levels than VOO.
Researchers tested seven antibiotics in combination with various natural compounds, finding synergistic effects against multidrug-resistant bacteria. The study suggests combining antibiotics with plant extracts or phytochemicals could be a promising strategy to combat antimicrobial resistance.
Researchers monitored disaster risk caused by unstable coal pillars in multi-coal seam mining, finding that their failure can lead to mine earthquakes and collapse. The study provides insights for assessing stability and risk in residual coal pillar-rock formations, highlighting the need for customized application of findings.
Researchers are exploring engineered geothermal systems and innovative drilling technologies to unlock superhot rock energy. However, significant gaps in research and development need to be addressed to achieve temperatures over 375°C.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a novel electrochemical process to extract precious metals, including gold and platinum group metals, from discarded electronics and low-grade ores. This method uses less energy and fewer chemical materials than current methods, producing high-purity metals with minimal waste.
Researchers review advances and challenges in applying SLA to evaluate unconventional reservoirs, highlighting its simplicity and convenience. The study proposes modifications to address reservoir heterogeneity and suggests combining SLA with machine learning algorithms for improved accuracy.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a graphene-derived material that can serve as a substitute for sand in concrete, offering a potential solution to the looming 'sand crisis.' The study found that the graphene-based concrete is 25% lighter but just as tough as conventional concrete.
Researchers are working to better understand and reduce the health risks associated with mercury use in artisanal and small-scale gold mining. A new approach has been piloted, which can help reduce mercury emissions in these mines.