Microwave-assisted leaching—a review

Microwave applications in mining and process metallurgy have been the subject of many research studies over the past two decades. This paper reviews microwave-assisted leaching of copper, gold, nickel, cobalt, and manganese, lead and zinc and also coal desulphurisation. It has been recognised that microwave technology has great potential to improve the extraction efficiency of metals in terms of both reduction in required leaching time and increased recovery of valuable metal. Despite a significant number of research studies in this area and potential for achieving highly attractive benefits, there is no agreement to the mechanism of interaction of microwaves with hydrometallurgical systems.