The article presents the results of researching metal-containing raw material preparation in two-compartment jigging machine, the distinctive feature of which is that the jigging concentrate is extracted in the first compartment, into which initial feed is loaded and the undersize from the second compartment is returned. The subject matter of a new aftertreatment diagram of heavy fraction on concentration tables is that the heavy fraction is divided into two equal parts, which are supplied to the installed parallel tables mixing the concentrate of one them with initial feed of another table where ready gravio-concentrate is produced. It is proved that the concurrent extraction of gold from copper-pyritic ores using the proposed flow sheet diagram allows increasing gold extraction from 5,12 to 9,89 %. As a result of pilot tests of the developed scheme of gravity separation with formation of high metal content in the head of the process, it is determined that its use for extracting lead from slag (4–6 %) from soda smelting of used battery scrap in rotary kilns allows increasing extraction of lead in concentrate by 7,7 % and its content in gravity concentrate by 14,7 %.

A short description of centrifugal dense-media separation unit with two-layered isolation medium designed for improvement in the quality of gravity concentrates is given in dressing crude ore of color, rare, and precious metals; its basic diagram is shown. The solution of differential equations describing the separated particle movement in the working area is considered. As a result, analytical expressions of the most important hydrodynamic parameters of easy and heavy particle movement, i.e. their radial and longitudinal speeds necessary for correct calculations of the basic constructive elements of the separation unit, are obtained. The tests of a laboratory model of the device on artificial mixtures of quartz and galena have shown that the mutual contamination of separation products does not exceed 5 %.

Investigations of complexing ability of sulfur-containing collectors in relation to ions of metals (Cu2 +, Ni2 +, Fe2 +, Co2 +) have been carried out at the temperature of 298 K and ionic strength of 0.075–0.75 mole/liter (NaNO3). It is established that potassium dibutyldithiophosphate possesses the largest affinity to metal ions among the phosphorus-containing collecting agents and Со2 + ion exhibits the maximum complexing ability. The rows of thermodynamic stability are obtained as well as the values of enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs energy changes, temperature-dependent and temperature-independent contributions into ΔG0 of metal ion complexes with collector anions are calculated.

A feasibility of ultrafine grinding implementation for mineral raw materials processing is shown. Examples of successful implementation of this technology in beneficiation of polymetallic materials and hydrometallurgy of precious metals are presented in the paper. The principle of operation of bead mill and its main process parameters are described (size and load of grinding bodies, impeller rotation speed, pulp density).

Supposing the electrochemical nature of the interaction of reducing gas (CO) with oxide melt containing transition metal ions, a kinetic equation is derived for calculation of the reduction process rate taking physical and chemical properties of the contacting phases. Satisfactory agreement between the calculated and experimental data is shown by the example of interaction of the CaO–SiO2–Al2O3 system melt, which contains up to 6.0 wt.% MenOm (NiO, CoO, Cu2O), blasted by gas phase of partial pressure РCO = (0,4÷5,0)·102 MPa at Т = 1623 K.

Alumina granulate has been produced by pyrolysis of КМ-2П carboxylic cation exchanger. The pyrolysis conditions of КМ-2П with occluded aluminum ions is established. The produced samples have been investigated by X-ray phase analysis and electron microscopy. Grain-size distribution and specific surface are determined.

Active aluminum hydroxide production from alkaline aluminate solution of the Bayer process by means of aluminum salt has been investigated. For this purpose the capacity of non-uniform growth of crystals at low temperatures and without mixing is used. Deposit of high specific surface, which is easily dissolved in acids and alkalis, is formed as consequence. Activation energy of produced active aluminum hydroxide being equal to 155.4 kJ/mole has been determined experimentally, thus indicating the kinetic mode of the process despite no mixing. The possibility of the produced active aluminum hydroxide application as a inoculating crystal for production of well-crystallized small-sized aluminum hydroxide powder, which can be used for production of aluminum oxide of non-metallurgical application, is shown.

The methods of production and the results of investigation of high-porous spongy silver and morphology of its formation are presented. The product is shown to represent nanostructure consisting of silver particles of 100–200 nm in size, accreted with one another into conglomerates of branched forms. Examples of possible application of nanostructural high-porous spongy silver are given.

Sorption of rhenium (VII) and vanadium (V) with FIBAN series fibrous ionites out of mineralized sulfuric-chloride solutions has been studied. Equilibrium, kinetic, and dynamic characteristics of rhenium and vanadium sorption with AK-22 grade FIBAN ionite that contains the following functional groups: =NH, –NH2, –СOOH, and ≡N are obtained. The maximum capacity of this ionite for vanadium (V) is found to be observed at pH = 4 value. Rhenium and vanadium sorption isotherms are linear and described by Henry’s equations with constants KH = 113±2 ml/g (R2 = 0,995) and 674±6 ml/g (R2 = 0,999) respectively. Integral kinetic curves of sorption are obtained under the conditions of limited solution volume. The effective diffusion coefficients of rhenium and vanadium (9,0·10–13 and 7,5·10–15 m2/s respectively) are calculated with taking the half-transformation time into account. The feasibility of rhenium and vanadium separation under the dynamic conditions is shown.

The effect of alloying elements (Sn, Al, Si, Mn, Zn, Ni, As) on the morphology of the liquid phase, crystallization and structure formation processes of copper alloys (Cu + alloying elements) has been investigated. All the investigated alloying elements other than nickel are revealed to rise the degree of compaction (shrinkage) of the melt (ΔJliq) and the coefficient of thermal contraction (αliq) of liquid copper alloy because of the weakening of the binding forces between the atoms of copper and alloying elements (FCu-Cu > FCu-X). Nickel reduces the liquid state parameters due to increased binding forces between Cu and X atoms (FCu-X > > FCu-Cu), as evidenced by increase in crystallization temperature of α-solid solution. All the above alloying elements, other than Ni, lower the temperature of α-solid solution crystallization start (tliq) and end (ts) and extend the temperature range of α-solid solution crystallization tliq–ts. Copper alloys have a high degree of melt compaction during crystallization (ΔJcr): the denser the alloying element (higher density), the greater the degree of compaction ΔJcr. It is most valid for Ni and least valid for Al and Si. Up to the certain content, all the alloying elements reduce the structural components to small size (α-solid solution and eutectoid).

The scientific and practical results are given concerning the investigation and development of new processes of reject material recovery after the hydrometallurgical production into goafs and tailing dumps on the basis of their fixation (hardening). The formulas of hardening mixtures are determined and tested and the estimation of their strength is carried out. The strength rising rate is shown to grow when slag input and holding time of hardening mixture increases.

The current state and changes of the gallium market under the effect of new sectors of gallium application are described. The state and prospects of the Russian market are described too. The dynamics of the world gallium production and prices within recent years is given. The analysis of changes in commercial and industrial policy of China as the main producer of gallium has been executed. The need in gallium for middle- and long-term prospect is estimated.