Mining, Mineral Processing, and Extractive Metallurgy: An Overview of the Technologies and Their Impact on the Physical Environment

The availability of rich geological resources, in tandem with market conditions largely outside the control of metal-producing enterprises, have resulted in a sector characterised by a low level of technological innovation. Corporate strategies have traditionally focused on the discovery and acquisition of high-grade and easily accessible mineral deposits, and on increased scale of production to offset declining ore grades. In the past, health and safety regulation has been a major driver behind technological change, alongside the need to improve process energy efficiency. However, the emphasis has now altered: after a period of limited technological change, a spur to technology development in the minerals industry has been applied by public concern over adverse environmental effects and the design of environmental regulation that obliges firms to mitigate or prevent such effects.