Flotation of mine tailings: A bibliometric analysis and systematic literature review

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to conduct an extensive mapping of the literature on tailings flotation from 1990 to 2024, aiming to identify key topics, emerging trends, and potential future directions. Using a mixed-methods approach that includes bibliometric analysis, text mining, and content analysis, the following specific objectives were established: (i) to analyze the scientific background of studies on tailings flotation, identifying the most relevant topics and trends from the past two decades, (ii) to provide a comprehensive overview of the available literature in this field, and (iii) to suggest future research pathways. A total of 240 open-access academic articles were reviewed, sourced from Scopus, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, and Taylor & Francis databases, selected through the PRISMA method and an ad-hoc sampling. The analysis identified four main research areas: (1) geochemical and mineralogical characterization of lead-zinc flotation tailings, (2) flotation of copper-gold tailings for precious metal recovery, (3) flotation of mining tailings as analogs for rare earth resources, and (4) general strategies for metal recovery from complex and low-grade tailings. Based on these areas, four future research directions were proposed: the impact of particle size distribution on flotation selectivity, integration of biotechnology in tailings flotation, optimization of flotation circuits based on particle size, and environmental assessment of tailings flotation. These approaches aim to improve sustainability and optimize resource use in the mining sector, promoting practices that contribute to a more responsible and efficient global development model.