Abstract

Nanotechnology has emerged as a game-changing tool in the mining and mineral processing industries, providing new solutions for effective exploration, enhanced recovery, and sustainable operations. Nanomaterials’ distinct features, such as high surface area, customizable chemistry, and extraordinary reactivity, allow for improved sensing, selective separation, and efficient treatment of mining waste. Nano sensors and nano-enabled geophysical devices improve mineral signature detection sensitivity, and nanoparticle tracers improve subsurface mapping. Nanotechnology in mineral processing improves flotation efficiency, facilitates selective adsorption, and speeds up catalytic processes for ore beneficiation. This brief study covers current advances and future potential for nanotechnology in mineral discovery and processing.

Keywords:Nanotechnology; Mineral processing; Mining; Rare earth elements; Surface engineering