Europe and Brazil cooperate on metal waste

Researchers from Brazil and Europe are sharing knowledge through work exchanges in the field of geosciences. The aim is to gain greater understanding and skills in geochemistry and dealing with pyrometallurgical waste recycling in agriculture.

Pyrometallurgical process of lateritic ores generates large amounts of wastes (fly ash, slags), considered as hazardous materials, as they contain potentially toxic elements, like nickel. Wastes are reused for construction or reprocessed, but a significant fraction is commonly dumped on soil surface or into lakes, where their dispersal by wind or water may have environmental impact on large areas. Another way of reuse could be in agronomy as soil additive.

Further details: Europe and Brazil cooperate on metal waste