Estimation of valuable metals content in tin ore mining waste of the Russian Far East region by instrumental neutron activation analysis
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Valentina Zvereva
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Sergei Ivannikov
und
Anastasiya Lysenko
Abstract
Wastes from tin sulfide ore mining can serve as a secondary raw materials for obtaining rare and rare-earth elements (REE). This work demonstrates the possibility of effectively using instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) with a 252Cf radionuclide source to determine the content of Sc, In and a number of REE content in tailings from tin sulfide ores and monominerallic samples of various compositions. For samples with volumes of 50 cm3, with the activation time of 7 days and the measurement time of 1–2 h, the calculated Minimum Detectable Concentrations are sufficient for the quantitative determination of Sc and REE (La, Sm, Eu) below the average upper continental crust concentration (UCC). Elevated levels of strategic metals were detected in samples collected from the tailings dump of the Khrustalnensky Mining and Processing Plant (KhGOK) in Kavalerovo District and the tailings dump of the Krasnorechenskaya Concentrating Mill (KCM) in Dalnegorsk District of the Primorsky Krai, Russia. Elevated concentrations of Sc (2.1 times UCC) and In (1.8 times UCC) were detected in the tailings sample after cassiterite secondary enrichment. A decrease in Sc concentration was detected in the upper layer of the KhGOK tailings dump. Increased In content 141–575 times UCC was detected in tailings samples from KCM. Conducted analyses show the prospects of processing the KCM tailings enrichment for indium by-product recovery. INAA could be applied both to assess the reserves of some valuable metals and develop the technology of their extraction.
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Research ethics: Not applicable.
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Informed consent: Not applicable.
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Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.
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Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: LLM YandexGPT was used to improve the language of the article.
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Conflict of interest: All other authors state no conflict of interest.
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Research funding: Works on neutron activation analysis were carried out to develop reliable methods for determining strategic metals in Late Mesozoic basite-hyperbasite intrusions of the Sikhote-Alin orogenic belt within the framework of the Russian Science Foundation grant No. 23-17-00093. Sampling and research of the objects was out carried out within the framework of State Order of the Far East Geological Institute of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences project No. 1250 3310 4606-3 “Ttransformation of the natural environment and dangerous geological processes in the marginal continental territories of Eastern Eurasia in the context of climate change and anthropogenic stress”.
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Data availability: Not applicable.
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© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Original Papers
- Utilization of traceable standards to validate plutonium isotopic purification and separation of plutonium progeny using AG MP-1M resin for nuclear forensic investigations
- DFT study of Se(-II) sorption on biotite in reducing conditions
- 140Ba → 140La radionuclide generator: reverse-tandem scheme
- Estimation of valuable metals content in tin ore mining waste of the Russian Far East region by instrumental neutron activation analysis
- Optimizing vulcanized natural rubber: the role of phenolic natural antioxidants and ionizing radiation
- The gamma radiation shielding properties of tin-doped composites: experimental and theoretical comparison
- Effect of replacing ZnO with La2O3 on the physical, optical, and radiation shielding properties of lanthanum zinc tellurite
Artikel in diesem Heft
- Frontmatter
- Original Papers
- Utilization of traceable standards to validate plutonium isotopic purification and separation of plutonium progeny using AG MP-1M resin for nuclear forensic investigations
- DFT study of Se(-II) sorption on biotite in reducing conditions
- 140Ba → 140La radionuclide generator: reverse-tandem scheme
- Estimation of valuable metals content in tin ore mining waste of the Russian Far East region by instrumental neutron activation analysis
- Optimizing vulcanized natural rubber: the role of phenolic natural antioxidants and ionizing radiation
- The gamma radiation shielding properties of tin-doped composites: experimental and theoretical comparison
- Effect of replacing ZnO with La2O3 on the physical, optical, and radiation shielding properties of lanthanum zinc tellurite
