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<p>The increasing demand for critical minerals such as Zr, Hf, Nb, and rare earth elements has intensified the search for alternative and sustainable sources capable of complementing primary mining. In this context, we investigate a previously unexplored tailings generated during Sn flotation, a material for which no technical characterization exists. Unlike conventional Sn tailings, that are considered worthless, this tailing represents prospective grades of critical minerals, suggesting its potential as a valuable secondary resource. A set of analytical techniques, including ICP-OES for chemical analysis, XRD for crystalline phase identification, and SEM-EDS for microstructural evaluation, were applied to characterize the material. The tailings exhibit a silicate matrix dominated by Si (23.00%), Zr (11.46%), and Na (8.96%). There are significant grades of Hf (0.76%), REEs (1.44%), and Nb (0.34%). Particle size measurements reveal a wide distribution (D10 = 45.6&#xa0;μm, D50 = 105.4&#xa0;μm, D90 = 220.8&#xa0;μm), typical of ultrafine flotation tailingss. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a low mass loss (2.2%) between 700 and 1200&#xa0;°C, confirming its thermal stability. These results demonstrate that a material regarded as waste functions as a natural preconcentrate of Zr–Hf–Nb–REE-bearing phases.</p>

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From Waste to Resource: An Integrated Analytical Characterization Revealing the Potential of an Unevaluated Sn Flotation Tailings as a Secondary Source of Zr–Hf and Other Critical Metals

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月26日

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  • Gabriel de Oliveira Rodrigues,
  • George Orlando Martinez Gutierrez,
  • Lisbet Cervino Jaime,
  • Bárbara da Rocha Pereira,
  • Franco Garjulli,
  • Marcela dos Passos Galluzzi Baltazar,
  • Denise Crocce Romano Espinosa,
  • Jorge Alberto Soares Tenório

摘要

The increasing demand for critical minerals such as Zr, Hf, Nb, and rare earth elements has intensified the search for alternative and sustainable sources capable of complementing primary mining. In this context, we investigate a previously unexplored tailings generated during Sn flotation, a material for which no technical characterization exists. Unlike conventional Sn tailings, that are considered worthless, this tailing represents prospective grades of critical minerals, suggesting its potential as a valuable secondary resource. A set of analytical techniques, including ICP-OES for chemical analysis, XRD for crystalline phase identification, and SEM-EDS for microstructural evaluation, were applied to characterize the material. The tailings exhibit a silicate matrix dominated by Si (23.00%), Zr (11.46%), and Na (8.96%). There are significant grades of Hf (0.76%), REEs (1.44%), and Nb (0.34%). Particle size measurements reveal a wide distribution (D10 = 45.6 μm, D50 = 105.4 μm, D90 = 220.8 μm), typical of ultrafine flotation tailingss. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated a low mass loss (2.2%) between 700 and 1200 °C, confirming its thermal stability. These results demonstrate that a material regarded as waste functions as a natural preconcentrate of Zr–Hf–Nb–REE-bearing phases.