Research status and future prospect of metallurgical processing of mineral resources concentration in deep sea

The deep sea is rich in key metal minerals. In recent years, the exploration and research activities centered on the deep-sea mineral resources are very active, and the commercial development process is accelerating. Processing is an important link in the exploitation and utilization of deep sea mineral resources. Low-carbon, clean, economical and efficient metallurgy technology needs to be developed. This paper reviews the research process and current status of international deep-sea polymetallic ore dressing and metallurgical technology, and summarizes the development of China's deep-sea mineral resources mineral processing, metallurgy and comprehensive utilization technology since the establishment of COMRA, which resources are polymetallic nodule, cobalt-rich crusts, polymetallic sulfide, and submarine rare earths, etc. This paper analyzes representative processes, such as atmospheric pressure sulfuric acid leaching, high temperature and high pressure sulfuric acid leaching, reduction roasting-ammonia leaching, auto-catalytic reduction ammonia leaching, smelting-leaching, etc. And this paper also analyzes the technological breakthroughs, main features, and problems that need to be further solved in each process, and the development trend and focus of deep-sea polymetallic mineral processing and metallurgy research. © 2021, China Science Publishing & Media Ltd. All right reserved.