ABSTRACT
The mining industry has been an important driver of global economic growth and development for decades. However, the ever increasing demand for mineral and metal resources in order to meet the largely dynamic technological landscape has led to most of the richest mines being rapidly exploited. Companies are thus turning to lower-grade ores and other previously non-exploitable metal bearing sources in order to continuously meet demand. In addition, the volatile commodity prices and the long term environmental impact of mining have also forced companies to adopt green mining techniques and to identify opportunities such as the extraction of metals from alternative non-mainstream metal containing material, such as mine waste in order to boost production and minimize the impact on the environment.
