Editing Mining (section)

== Processing ==
{{Main|Mineral processing|Extractive metallurgy}}
Once the mineral is extracted, it is often then processed. The science of [[extractive metallurgy]] is a specialized area in the science of metallurgy that studies the extraction of valuable metals from their ores, especially through chemical or mechanical means.<ref>{{cite web|title=Metallurgy - Extractive metallurgy|url=https://www.britannica.com/science/metallurgy|access-date=2021-06-04|website=Encyclopedia Britannica|language=en|archive-date=2021-06-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602104136/https://www.britannica.com/science/metallurgy|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Mining Concentrate Thickener|url=https://redmeters.com/mining-concentrate-thickener/|access-date=2021-03-29|website=Red Meters|language=en-US|archive-date=2021-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625080319/https://redmeters.com/mining-concentrate-thickener/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[Mineral processing]] (or mineral dressing) is a specialized area in the science of metallurgy that studies the mechanical means of crushing, grinding, and washing that enable the separation (extractive metallurgy) of valuable metals or minerals from their [[gangue]] (waste material). Processing of placer ore material consists of gravity-dependent methods of separation, such as [[sluice]] boxes. Only minor shaking or washing may be necessary to disaggregate (unclump) the sands or gravels before processing. Processing of ore from a lode mine, whether it is a surface or subsurface mine, requires that the rock ore be crushed and pulverized before extraction of the valuable minerals begins. After lode ore is crushed, recovery of the valuable minerals is done by one, or a combination of several, mechanical and chemical techniques.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minerals Mining Conveyors {{!}} Mineral Mining Conveyor Products |url=https://www.asgco.com/products/industry/minerals-mining/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=ASGCO |language=en-US |archive-date=2023-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126230134/https://www.asgco.com/products/industry/minerals-mining/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Since most metals are present in ores as oxides or sulfides, the metal needs to be [[Redox|reduced]] to its metallic form. This can be accomplished through chemical means such as [[smelting]] or through electrolytic reduction, as in the case of [[aluminium]]. [[Geometallurgy]] combines the geologic sciences with extractive metallurgy and mining.<ref name="Geosciences LibreTexts-2017">{{Cite web |date=2017-01-28 |title=12.9: Mining |url=https://geo.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Geology/Fundamentals_of_Geology_(Schulte)/12%3A_Geological_Implications/12.09%3A_Mining |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Geosciences LibreTexts |language=en |archive-date=2023-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230402063622/https://geo.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Geology/Fundamentals_of_Geology_(Schulte)/12%3A_Geological_Implications/12.09%3A_Mining |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2018, led by Chemistry and Biochemistry professor Bradley D. Smith, [[University of Notre Dame]] researchers "invented a new class of molecules whose shape and size enable them to capture and contain precious metal ions," reported in a study published by the [[Journal of the American Chemical Society]]. The new method "converts gold-containing ore into [[chloroauric acid]] and extracts it using an industrial solvent. The container molecules are able to selectively separate the gold from the solvent without the use of water stripping." The newly developed molecules can eliminate water stripping, whereas mining traditionally "relies on a 125-year-old method that treats gold-containing ore with large quantities of poisonous [[sodium cyanide]]...  this new process has a milder environmental impact and that, besides gold, it can be used for capturing other metals such as platinum and palladium," and could also be used in urban mining processes that remove precious metals from wastewater streams.<ref>[http://www.mining.com/scientists-develop-technique-reduce-cost-environmental-impact-mining-precious-metal/ Leotaud, V. R.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143920/http://www.mining.com/scientists-develop-technique-reduce-cost-environmental-impact-mining-precious-metal/ |date=2018-06-12 }} "Scientists develop technique to reduce cost, environmental impact of mining precious metal", by Valentina Ruiz Leotaud''Mining.com'', June 10, 2018.</ref>