Circular economy to produce critical raw materials
from water in the mining industry
A full-scale circular economy model for the mining industry
REECOVERY is a research project co-funded by the European Commission that will develop and validate a resource recovery system to obtain critical raw materials from acidic contact water from old environmental liabilities of mining origin or from mining activity processes with the aim of reducing Europe’s dependence on imports.
Cobalt, rare earths, and other metals like zinc and copper that are present in acid waters produced by acid drainage or in the operations of hydrometallurgical and mining activities will be recoverable thanks to REECOVERY’s cutting-edge treatment processes.
By-products from other industries, such as sulfur from the petrochemical industry and organic waste from the food and biodiesel industries, will also be valorized by these treatment methods. To reduce their negative effects and encourage their reuse, new wastewater treatment technologies will also be put to the test.
REECOVERY will support the circular economy while also reducing waste generation, helping mining facilities comply with discharge restrictions, and aiding in the environmental recovery of mining liabilities.
NAME: REECOVERY
FUNDING: EIT Raw Materials
BUDGET: € 2,545,089
EU CONTRIBUTION: € 1,781,552
DURATION: 36 months (January 2022 – December 2024)
COORDINATOR: Minera Los Frailes
CONSORTIUM: Aquatec, Cetaqua, CSIC, IMN, UPC
DEMONSTRATION SITE: Minera Los Frailes (Aznalcóllar, Spain)
2545089 €
Budget
6
Partners
36 months
Duration
Timeline of the REECOVERY project
1. Design, construction and implementation plan of the pilot-scale R&R treatment train
Objective: Design and construct the different units integrating the R&R treatment train (metal sulfides recovery, REE oxalates recovery, and water reclamation & wastewater minimization). It will allow the development of integration and implementation plan of the different units, which ensures their correct installation, commissioning and operation in MLF site.
Duration: January 2022 – February 2023
2. Pilot-scale R&R treatment train demonstration
Objective: Conduct the installation, commissioning, optimization, monitoring and long-term testing of the R&R pilot-scale treatment train. It will assess the influence of the operational conditions on the performance and efficiency of resource recovery and the impact on each downstream process to integrate them in the best possible way.
Duration: January 2022 – August 2024
3. Integration of circular economy strategies
Objective: Co-define, together with potential end-users, the quality standards of recovered raw materials and reclaimed water. Additionally, the quality of the recovered products will be assessed in order to define and implement a circular economy roadmap for their on-site valorization or out-site commercialization.
Duration: January 2023 – December 2024
4. Impact assessment and implementation
Objective: Evaluate the environmental impact and costs through Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Costing (LCC) of the R&R treatment train and compare it to the conventional water treatment. Describe how the full-scale projection of the R&R treatment train is implemented at MLF site in Aznalcóllar, Spain.
Duration: January 2024 – December 2024
5. Go-to-market strategy
Objective: Provide a clear focus on customer needs, value proposition, market analysis, IP strategy, competitor landscape, as well as a pathway for implementation and commercialization.
Duration: January 2022 – December 2024
6. Education and training
Objective: Provide training and technology transfer from partners of the consortium towards early-stage scientists (PhD students and postdoctoral researchers) and MSc students and establish a joint domain for such actions among partners and collaborating research institutions.
Duration: January 2022 – December 2024
7. Communication and dissemination
Objective: Produce a strategic communication and dissemination plan to serve as a strong foundation for subsequent communication and dissemination activities. Raise awareness of REECOVERY objectives and achievements through digital and printed means. Engage and maintain a strong stakeholder network through a final REECOVERY workshop.
Duration: January 2022 – December 2024