SIM² KU Leuven - SOLVOMET researchers have developed a novel solvent extraction system to remove magnesium from lithium-rich solutions, allowing a major reduction of the eco-footprint of lithium recovery from brines.
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SIM² is dead, long live KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals
The KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals (SIM² KU Leuven v2.0) is up and running. Peter Tom Jones presents the status quaestionis and proudly launches SIM²’s – thermodynamically-proof – Circular Economy scheme.
Read More »Mining precious metals at home during the global COVID-19 lockdown?
A BBC Future article featuring Ana Maria Martinez (SINTEF) illustrates that old electronics are domestic mines of precious metals. Martina Orefice (SIM² KU Leuven) provides further background referring to several EU projects.
Read More »New video: The Missing Link of the Circular Economy 2.0
“The Missing Link of the Circular Economy 2.0” video shows why the waste of the past cannot be consigned to oblivion. A comprehensive Circular Economy vision should, therefore, find answers for Europe’s 500,000+ landfills.
Read More »The green transition challenged by the metal supply chain
How feasible is the transition to a climate-neutral economy (European Green Deal) in terms of the availability of the required (critical) metals? During the March 12 Seminar in Brussels an expert panel tried to provide answers.
Read More »Substituting Nd in Nd2Fe14B-based hard magnetic alloys
Within the European ITN EREAN project, researchers from Fraunhofer and TU Darmstadt studied the influence of Ce and La substitution in NdFeB magnets by fast solidification and hydrogen treatments. The results were published in Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials and Journal of Alloys and Compounds.
Read More »How will Europe become climate neutral by 2050? Challenging the EU Green Deal
Register now for a seminar on "Green transition challenged by the metal supply chain". The event takes place on March 12, 2020 in the Flemish Parliament in Brussels (Belgium). Various EU H2020 projects will cluster around the challenges they face.
Read More »Methanesulfonic acid proves its potential in solvometallurgy
Methanesulfonic acid (MSA) has proven again to be a suitable lixiviant for the recovery of valuable metals. Within the SMART project, the SOLVOMET group has developed a solvometallurgical process for the selective recovery of lead and silver from industrial residues.
Read More »Breaking news: SIM² recognised as KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals
On 26-11-2019, the KU Leuven Academic Council recognised SIM² KU Leuven as one of the 4 flagship “KU Leuven Institutes” to start their activities on January 1, 2020. The KU Leuven Institute for Sustainable Metals and Minerals contributes to the eco-friendly production and recycling of metals and minerals.
Read More »Public acceptance of mining and recycling in Europe: six recommendations
Public acceptance or the ‘Social License to Operate’ is widely acknowledged as the biggest financial risk for the mining sector. Six different perspectives and recommendations coming from six different sectors were debated during a satellite event of the EU Raw Materials Week (22 Nov. 2019).
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