The invention relates to a microwave-mechanical fluidization mining system and a mining method for metal mines. The microwave-mechanical fluidization mining system comprises a microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system, a microwave separation system, a high-power microwave focused melting system and a goaf, wherein ore-waste rock mixtures mined by the microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system are transported to the microwave separation system through a conveyor I and an elevator on the microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system, separated ores are transported to the high-power microwave focused melting system, and separated waste rocks are transported through a conveyor V to the goaf for filling. Microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining is adopted instead of a traditional blasting mining method to increase an excavation speed and avoid the influence of blasting on the stability of surrounding rocks.

The invention relates to a microwave-mechanical fluidization mining system and a mining method for metal mines. The microwave-mechanical fluidization mining system comprises a microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system, a microwave separation system, a high-power microwave focused melting system and a goaf, wherein ore-waste rock mixtures mined by the microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system are transported to the microwave separation system through a conveyor I and an elevator on the microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system, separated ores are transported to the high-power microwave focused melting system, and separated waste rocks are transported through a conveyor V to the goaf for filling. Microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining is adopted instead of a traditional blasting mining method to increase an excavation speed and avoid the influence of blasting on the stability of surrounding rocks.

The invention enables “green” and “conflict-free” acquisition of critical minerals via refinement from aqueous sources. These advantages are impactful in applications including refinement of rare materials such as certain metals, especially metals necessary for production of energy storage devices required to advance environmental goals, such as in the Paris climate agreement. The inventive concepts include economically viable approaches to refinement, as well as economically viable apparatuses. In some approaches, valuable materials such as metals are refined from salts obtained from aqueous sources. Power required to refine materials is provided by renewable energy sources. Real world implementations involve co-locating a dissociative reactor with a geothermal energy plant near an aquifer with salt(s) therein. Refined minerals are produced on site. Practice of the disclosed techniques reduce or eliminate many negative environmental impacts such as those incurred by legacy mining based techniques.

A microwave-mechanical fluidization mining system and a mining method for metal mines. The microwave-mechanical fluidization mining system comprises a microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system, a microwave separation system, a high-power microwave focused melting system and a goaf, wherein ore-waste rock mixtures mined by the microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system are transported to the microwave separation system through a conveyor and an elevator on the microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system, separated ores are transported to the high-power microwave focused melting system, and separated waste rocks are transported through a conveyor to the goaf for filling. Microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining is adopted instead of a traditional blasting mining method to increase an excavation speed and avoid the influence of blasting on the stability of surrounding rocks.

A microwave-mechanical fluidization mining system and a mining method for metal mines. The microwave-mechanical fluidization mining system comprises a microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system, a microwave separation system, a high-power microwave focused melting system and a goaf, wherein ore-waste rock mixtures mined by the microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system are transported to the microwave separation system through a conveyor and an elevator on the microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining system, separated ores are transported to the high-power microwave focused melting system, and separated waste rocks are transported through a conveyor to the goaf for filling. Microwave pre-splitting mechanical mining is adopted instead of a traditional blasting mining method to increase an excavation speed and avoid the influence of blasting on the stability of surrounding rocks.

Techniques for refining valuable materials from aqueous sources, along with corresponding apparatuses, are disclosed. The disclosed techniques enable “green” and “conflict-free” acquisition of critical minerals. These advantages are impactful in applications including refinement of rare materials such as certain metals, especially metals necessary for production of energy storage devices required to advance environmental goals, such as in the Paris climate agreement. The inventive concepts include economically viable approaches to refinement, as well as economically viable apparatuses. In some approaches, valuable materials such as metals are refined from salts obtained from aqueous sources. Power required to refine materials is provided by renewable energy sources. Real world implementations involve co-locating a dissociative reactor with a geothermal energy plant near an aquifer with salt(s) therein. Refined minerals are produced on site. Practice of the disclosed techniques reduce or eliminate many negative environmental impacts such as those incurred by legacy mining based techniques.

The invention enables “green” and “conflict-free” acquisition of critical minerals via refinement from aqueous sources. These advantages are impactful in applications including refinement of rare materials such as certain metals, especially metals necessary for production of energy storage devices required to advance environmental goals, such as in the Paris climate agreement. The inventive concepts include economically viable approaches to refinement, as well as economically viable apparatuses. In some approaches, valuable materials such as metals are refined from salts obtained from aqueous sources. Power required to refine materials is provided by renewable energy sources. Real world implementations involve co-locating a dissociative reactor with a geothermal energy plant near an aquifer with salt(s) therein. Refined minerals are produced on site. Practice of the disclosed techniques reduce or eliminate many negative environmental impacts such as those incurred by legacy mining based techniques.

Ultrafast flash Joule heating synthesis methods and systems, and more particularly, ultrafast synthesis methods to recover metal from ores, fly ash, and bauxite residue (red mud).

Ultrafast flash Joule heating synthesis methods and systems, and more particularly, ultrafast synthesis methods to recover metal from ores, fly ash, and bauxite residue (red mud).

An environmentally friendly (e.g. no acid, base, or cyanide) system and process for large scale extraction of metal ion into aerobic molten salt (or ionic liquid) and the electrodeposition of metal (e.g. copper, gold, silver, etc.) from the metal ion dissolved in the molten salt. The non-volatile low vapor pressure liquid salt is reusable, and heat from the molten slag can heat the molten salts or ionic liquids. Another embodiment comprises a one-pot apparatus for the extraction of metal (e.g. copper) from metal earths and electrodepositing the metal using a low melting (209° C.) aerated Na—K—Zn chloride salt in which copper metal oxidizes and is converted to soluble copper chloride. When an electrical power supply is connected to the graphite vessel (cathode) and to copper rods in the melt (anodes), then the copper chloride is deposited as copper metal by electroreduction on the bottom of the graphite reaction vessel.