Sustainable utilization of fluorite flotation tailings resources: A review
Shenxu Bao , Hailin Zhou , Yimin Zhang , Ye Zhang , Muyang Huang
International Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy, and Materials ›› 2025, Vol. 32 ›› Issue (10) : 2305 -2321.
Sustainable utilization of fluorite flotation tailings resources: A review
The rapid development of novel energy materials has led to a sustained surge in the global demand for fluorine. Fluorite is the primary source of fluorine globally and is increasingly being exploited. The estimated annual production of fluorite worldwide is approximately 8 million tons, with an additional 5 million tons of fluorite tailings. This accumulation not only consumes land resources, but also contributes to dust generation and F− percolation, leading to water and air contamination. This paper comprehensively reviews the utilization methods of fluorite tailings, including the flotation recovery of quartz and fluorite, the preparation of cement mineralizing agents, and the preparation of concrete mineral additives, autoclaved lime sand brick, and glass-ceramics. Furthermore, potential future applications and research directions are proposed, including the comprehensive recovery of valuable minerals, auxiliary cementitious materials preparation, and the functionalization of glass-ceramics. This study can serve as a reference for expediting the utilization of fluorite tailings, promoting the development of tailing-free mines, and establishing sustainable development strategies.
fluorite tailings / flotation / valuable mineral recovery / construction materials / sustainable utilization / solid waste
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University of Science and Technology Beijing
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