This project is an exploration of practices around the critical raw materialcobalt, it’s history, and current relevance in Swedish discourse. Critical raw materials are identified by the European Commission as materials of high importance to the EU’s economic system as well as the high risks related to their supply and production. As the demand for cobalt grows due to it’s usefulness in rechargeable batteries in for example smartphones, laptops and electric cars, the metal is predicted to become scarce in a near future. In Sweden there is a discourse on whether or not to mine for cobalt, among other earth elements, locally, and the industry is lookingfor ways to recycle old rechargeable batteries at larger scales to secure the resource. The criticality of cobalt does not only concern supply and economic importance however. In Congo some mines have been reported to still be dug by hand, under extremely poor conditions and risking the health and safety of the workers, as well as the surrounding societies. Through a critical research and design process these topics are explored alongside the more locally known use of cobalt oxide as a vibrant blue colour pigment for ceramics and glass. With the process I aim to create a design that engages with the criticality as well as a designerly fascinationwith the material. The end result being a speculative design fiction of the mythological creature cobelt, and how complex narratives can be unearthed in craft based practice.

The mining industry generates billions of tonnes of waste annually, which is often stored in tailings storage facilities (TSF). This waste is generated from the extraction of ore from surface or underground mines, as well as from metallurgical processing and low-grade stockpiles. TSF can have significant environmental impacts, as they can cause acid mine drainage resulting in the leaching and transport of heavy metals into ground and surface waters. With increasing demand for critical raw material, recent studies have shown that the valorisation of mine waste can be a potential secondary source of critical raw materials. The valorisation of mine waste is possible when the waste is accurately characterised.A novel method that uses multispectral satellite remote sensing and machine learning to estimate the mineral resource in a defunct TSF in the Witwatersrand Basin, South Africa is proposed in this research. Four machine learning models: 1) random forest (RF); 2) adaptive boosting (AB); 3) extra trees (ET); and 4) k-nearest neighbours are developed using supervised machine learning. The models are trained using training data acquired from a TSF with known gold concentration located 3 kilometres from the TSF and deployed on the TSF to predict the gold grades. The results of the machine learning model predictions indicates that machine learning models had high performances for predicting gold grades in the TSF. The AB, RF and ET, models performed best. Their performances were evaluated using the coefficient of determination (R2) value. The R2 values for the machine learning models were 0.95, 0.92, 0.87 and 0.70 for AB, ET, RF and kNN respectively. The mean gold grade predicted was 0.44 g/t by all machine learning models. This was compared to a 2D surficial geostatistical model which estimated 0.35g/t gold in the TSF using ordinary kriging and a 2D vertically averaged geostatistical model with an estimated 0.4 g/t mean gold grade. The short-wave infrared (SWIR) - band 11 at a 20 m spatial resolution had the highest correlation with the reflectance of gold in the TSF. This study demonstrated the value of leveraging multi-spectral remote sensing data and machine learning to perform mineral resource estimation in defunct TSF.

Tungsten (W) is listed among the European Union (EU) critical raw materials (CRMs) for its supply risk and economic importance. Primarily, tungsten is produced from scheelite and wolframite mineral ores with 0.08-1.5% tungsten trioxide (WO3) grade. However, as primary deposits for these resources are becoming less or lower in grade, alternative sources need to be explored. These alternative tungsten sources include scrap from end-of-life products, mine waste and rejects from the ore beneficiation processes (tailings). The latter alternative source is the focus within this thesis. Historical tailings repositories often pose environmental risks but may also become secondary sources of CRMs. This is because of relatively high minerals and metals content due to less efficient extraction methods and/or relatively low metal prices at the time of active mining. Therefore, reprocessing of such tailings is not only a supply risk-reducing measure but also an approach to remediation that contributes to the mining industry’s aim of moving towards a circular economy. The aim of this thesis has been to develop efficient methods for separating valuable minerals from the tailings in order to leave behind a stable and environmentally safe residue. Geometallurgical studies were conducted by collecting drill core samples from the Smaltjärnen tailings repository in Yxsjöberg, Sweden, for evaluating the potential of this repository for further processing. The tailings were originally produced from the ore that was mined by Yxsjö Mines while it was in operation from 1935 to 1963, with average ore grades of 0.3-0.4 wt.% WO3, 0.2 wt.% Cu and 5-6 wt.% fluorspar. The exploited minerals were scheelite for W, chalcopyrite for Cu and fluorspar. The tailings repository is estimated to have about 2.2 million tons of tailings covering an area of 26 hectares, with elemental concentrations of 1-2 wt.% S, 0.02-0.2 wt.% Cu, 0.02-0.3 wt.% W, 0.02-0.04 wt.% Sn and 0.02-0.03 wt.% Be. Sampling and characterization of the historical tailings were conducted based on geometallurgical units (i.e. a distinction between different layers and locations in the repository), followed by metallurgical test work. The tailings were characterized with regard to color and granulometry, particle size distribution, chemical composition, scheelite mineral occurrence, texture and mineral liberation, as well as mineralogical composition. Based on a comprehensive literature survey, tailings characteristics, and assessment of the earlier processes from which the Yxsjöberg tailings were produced, feasible separation methods were pre-selected involving dry low-intensity magnetic separation (LIMS) and high intensity magnetic separation (HIMS), enhanced gravity separation (EGS) using a Knelson concentrator, and batch froth flotation. The average WO3 and Cu concentration in these tailings based on the sampled locations was 0.15 % and 0.11 % respectively. Applying them to the estimated 2.2 million tons of tailings in this repository gives approximately 3300 tons of WO3 and 2512 tons of Cu. From the metallurgical test work, several feasible processing routes have been identified that need to be further assessed based on the economic and environmental criteria. / REMinE (Improve Resource Efficiency and Minimize Environmental Footprint)

Global energy transitions and rises in demand for critical raw materials (CRMs) are predicted to reshape global politics in yet uncertain but profound ways. With CRMs being vital for Europe’s decarbonization process, the present study sets out to examine the EU’s geopolitical discourse by taking an inquisitive yet critical stance focusing particularly on the new “geopolitical” Commission’s geopolitical reasoning on CRMs. Building upon critical geopolitics, a discourse analysis was conducted on 9 European Commission communications (2019–2020). Three key observations were made: first, a ‘geopolitical’ and ‘assertive’ EU is crucial in an increasingly ‘fragile’, ‘polarized’ and ‘competitive’ world. Second, securing CRMs is a ‘security question’, requiring ‘strategic approaches and partnerships’, notably with ‘resource–rich regions’ and particularly with Africa. Third, the EU’s narrative is ambiguous. While classical geopolitical assumptions are distinguishable, it remains questionable whether the EU will depart from its familiar path of liberal cooperation, multilateralism and trade when scouting for CRMs, although its role as a “benign ally” can be questioned. Further studies on the EU’s geopolitical reasoning, along with its actual practice in the area of CRMs, are warranted. Likewise, a critical reading of reports and foresight preceding EU policymaking is encouraged, to better comprehend how the EU’s dominating geopolitical discourse on CRMs and subsequent practice is produced in the first place.

[ES] Esta Tesis Doctoral se centra en la recuperación mediante electrodeposición del Sb presente en un efluente residual proveniente de la metalurgia del cobre. El efluente en el que se basa este estudio se produce en el proceso de regeneración con HCl concentrado de las resinas de intercambio iónico de una de las subetapas del electro-refinado del cobre. Se trata de un electrolito ácido que contiene diversas impurezas, entre las que destacan, Sb y Bi, que son considerados materias primas críticas por la Unión Europea, debido al riesgo de suministro que presentan y a su importancia en la economía. El objetivo de esta Tesis es la recuperación del Sb y la reutilización del HCl. Para alcanzar ambos propósitos se ha estudiado el empleo de la electrodeposición como operación de separación para el tratamiento del efluente. Este proceso se ha investigado mediante técnicas electroquímicas, en particular, voltametría cíclica y de barrido lineal. En primer lugar, se ha realizado el estudio con disoluciones sintéticas que emulan el efluente generado en las metalurgias chilenas. La caracterización electroquímica de la disolución de Sb en medio HCl ha evidenciado que la reducción del Sb(III) a Sb metálico está limitada por la transferencia de materia y que una concentración elevada de HCl favorece la recuperación del Sb. Los ensayos de electrodeposición han destacado la relevancia de las reacciones secundarias, la reacción de evolución del hidrógeno (HER) y la generación de cloro, y su influencia negativa sobre la deposición de Sb. La HER tiene lugar en el cátodo y conlleva la generación de burbujas de hidrógeno a elevadas densidades de corriente, que reducen la superficie útil del electrodo de trabajo e incluso causan el desprendimiento del depósito de Sb. Por su parte, la generación de cloro gas en el ánodo provoca la redisolución de los depósitos de Sb desprendidos a causa de la HER. Tras la realización de estos ensayos se ha concluido que se puede aumentar la tasa de recuperación de Sb si se tienen mayores concentraciones del elemento en la disolución o si se mejoran las condiciones hidrodinámicas. Se ha analizado también cómo influye la presencia de Bi en la disolución sintética durante la electrodeposición del Sb. El potencial de reducción de ambos elementos es similar, lo que implica que la recuperación individual de Sb sea compleja. No obstante, si se trabaja bajo condiciones en las que no se supere la densidad de corriente límite del sistema, se logra una elevada selectividad hacia el Sb. Si la concentración de Bi en la disolución es superior a la de Sb, se electrodepositan ambos elementos, pero se logra un elevado valor de eficiencia de corriente debido a que la influencia de la HER sobre el Bi no es tan fuerte. A continuación, se ha estudiado la aplicación de las técnicas previamente analizadas con un efluente real, facilitado por una empresa española. Se ha verificado que las conclusiones obtenidas con las disoluciones sintéticas son aplicables al efluente real. En particular, se ha confirmado que, al aumentar la densidad de corriente aplicada, la deposición de Sb se ve mermada debido a la relevancia del resto de reacciones: la reducción de los demás elementos y la evolución del medio. Los depósitos obtenidos contienen algunos de los elementos presentes en el efluente real: Sb, Bi, As y Cu, siendo mayoritario el primero. Como resultado, se ha concluido que es posible purificar el HCl mediante la electrodeposición de los elementos contenidos en el electrolito. Finalmente, se ha planteado la posibilidad de sustituir el HCl empleado como regenerante por un disolvente eutéctico profundo, debido a la alta solubilidad de metales y su procedencia de fuentes renovables. En particular, la investigación se ha llevado a cabo con la oxalina, la cual presenta una elevada capacidad de disolución para el Sb y una amplia ventana de potencial que beneficiaría la aplicación de la técnica de electrodeposición para la recuperación del Sb. / [CA] Esta Tesi Doctoral se centra en la recuperació mitjançant electrodeposició del Sb present en un efluent residual provinent de la metal·lúrgia del coure. L'efluent en què es basa este estudi es produïx en el procés de regeneració amb HCl concentrat de les resines d'intercanvi iònic d'una de les subetapes de l'electro-refinat del coure. Es tracta d'un electròlit àcid que conté diverses impureses, entre les quals destaquen, Sb i Bi, que són considerats matèries primeres crítiques per la Unió Europea, a causa del risc de subministrament que presenten i a la seua importància en l'economia. L'objectiu d'esta Tesi és la recuperació del Sb i la reutilització de l'HCl. Per assolir aquests dos propòsits s'ha estudiat l'ús de l'electrodeposició com a operació de separació per al tractament de l'efluent. Este procés s'ha investigat mitjançant tècniques electroquímiques, en particular, voltametria cíclica i de rastreig lineal. En primer lloc, s'ha realitzat l'estudi amb dissolucions sintètiques que emulen l'efluent generat a les metal·lúrgies xilenes. La caracterització electroquímica de la dissolució de Sb en medi HCl ha evidenciat que la reducció del Sb(III) a Sb metàl·lic està limitada per la transferència de matèria i que una concentració elevada de HCl afavorix la recuperació del Sb. Els assajos d'electrodeposició han destacat la rellevància de les reaccions secundàries, la reacció d'evolució de l'hidrogen (HER) i la generació de clor, i la seua influència negativa sobre la deposició de Sb. La HER té lloc al càtode i comporta la generació de bambolles d'hidrogen a elevades densitats de corrent, la qual cosa reduïx la superfície útil de l'elèctrode de treball i fins i tot causa el despreniment del depòsit de Sb. Per la seua banda, la generació de clor gas a l'ànode provoca la redissolució dels depòsits de Sb despresos a causa de la HER. Després de la realització d'estos assajos s'ha conclòs que es pot augmentar la taxa de recuperació de Sb si es tenen majors concentracions de l'element en la dissolució o si es milloren les condicions hidrodinàmiques. S'ha analitzat també com influïx la presència de Bi en la dissolució sintètica durant l'electrodeposició del Sb. El potencial de reducció dels dos elements és similar, la qual cosa implica que la recuperació individual de Sb siga complexa. No obstant això, si es treballa sota condicions en què no se supere la densitat de corrent límit del sistema, s'aconseguix una elevada selectivitat cap al Sb. Si la concentració de Bi en la dissolució és superior a la de Sb, s'electrodepositen ambdós elements, però s'aconseguix un elevat valor d'eficiència de corrent pel fet que la influència de la HER sobre el Bi no és tan forta. A continuació, s'ha estudiat l'aplicació de les tècniques prèviament analitzades amb un efluent real, facilitat per una empresa espanyola. S'ha verificat que les conclusions obtingudes amb les dissolucions sintètiques són aplicables al efluent real. En particular, s'ha confirmat que, en augmentar la densitat de corrent aplicada, la deposició de Sb es veu minvada a causa de la rellevància de la resta de reaccions: la reducció dels altres elements i l'evolució del medi. Els depòsits obtinguts contenen alguns dels elements presents en el efluent real: Sb, Bi, As i Cu, sent majoritari el primer. Com a resultat, s'ha conclòs que és possible purificar l'HCl mitjançant l'electrodeposició dels elements continguts en l'electròlit. Finalment, s'ha plantejat la possibilitat de substituir l'HCl emprat com regenerant per un dissolvent eutèctic profund, a causa de l'alta solubilitat de metalls i la seua procedència de fonts renovables. En particular, la investigació s'ha dut a terme amb l'oxalina, la qual presenta una elevada capacitat de dissolució per al Sb i una àmplia finestra de potencial que beneficiaria l'aplicació de la tècnica d'electrodeposició per a la recuperació del Sb captat durant el procés de regeneració de les resines. / [EN] This Doctoral Thesis focuses on the recovery by electrodeposition of Sb present in an effluent from the copper metallurgy. The effluent on which this study is based is generated during the regeneration with concentrated hydrochloric acid of the ion exchange resins used in one of the sub-stages of copper electro-refining. It is an acid electrolyte containing several impurities, among them, Sb and Bi, which are considered critical raw materials by the European Union due to their supply risk and economic relevance. The aim of this Thesis is the recovery of Sb and reuse of HCl. To achieve both objectives, electrodeposition has been studied as a separation operation for the treatment of the effluent. This operation has been investigated through electrochemical techniques, primarily, cyclic and linear sweep voltammetry. First, the study has been conducted with synthetic solutions emulating the effluent generated in the Chilean metallurgy industries. The electrochemical characterization of the Sb solution in the HCl medium has shown that, mass-transfer limits the reduction of Sb(III) to metallic Sb and a high HCl concentration favors the recovery of Sb. From the electrodeposition tests the relevance and negative influence on Sb deposition of the secondary reactions, the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the chlorine generation, has been proven. The HER occurs at the cathode and involves the generation of hydrogen bubbles at high current densities, which decrease the effective surface area of the working electrode and even cause the detachment of the Sb deposits. The chlorine generation at the anode leads to the redissolution of the Sb deposits detached by the HER. After conducting these experiments, it has been concluded that it is possible to increase the Sb recovery rate, if higher concentrations of this element are present in the solution or the hydrodynamic conditions of the electrodeposition process are improved. The influence of the presence of Bi in the synthetic solution on the Sb electrodeposition has also been investigated. The reduction potential of both elements is similar, implying that the individual recovery of Sb by electrodeposition is challenging. However, if the operating conditions do not imply exceeding the limiting current density of the system, a high electrodeposition selectivity towards Sb is achieved. If the concentration of Bi in the solution is higher than that of Sb, the simultaneous electrodeposition of both elements takes place, but, on the contrary, a high value of current efficiency is obtained because the influence of the HER on Bi reduction is not as significant as that on Sb deposition. The application of the previously analyzed techniques has been studied with a real effluent, that was provided by a Spanish company. It has been proven that the conclusions obtained with the synthetic solutions can be applied to a real effluent. It has been confirmed that, as the applied current density increases, the Sb deposition worsens due to the relevance of the other reactions that take place during the process: the reduction of the other elements and the evolution of the medium. The deposits obtained contain some elements present in the real effluent: Sb, Bi, As and Cu, the most significant being the first. From this study, it has been concluded that purifying the HCl by removing the elements contained in the electrolyte via electrodeposition is possible. Finally, the possibility of replacing the HCl used as a regenerant with a deep eutectic solvent has been considered based on their properties, among which are a high solubility of metals and their synthesis from renewable sources. In particular, the research has been carried out with oxaline, which presents a high dissolution capacity for Sb and a wide potential window that would benefit the application of the electrodeposition technique to recover Sb captured during the resins regeneration process. / Me gustaría agradecer la financiación a la Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI/10.13039/501100011033) (España) bajo el proyecto PCI2019-103535, gracias al cual he podido desarrollar la presente Tesis Doctoral, y a FEDER Una manera de hacer Europa / Hernández Pérez, L. (2024). Estudio electroquímico para la recuperación de antimonio de efluentes del electro-refinado de cobre por electrodeposición [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/203892