Metals: Key enablers of a Circular Economy

Base metals such as copper, lead, nickel, cobalt, zinc etc. form the basic crucial carrier metals for a sustainable society – the Web of Metals. This paper discusses the special and crucial role these metals have in acting as enablers in any recycling efforts as they carry and release important and vital minor elements at the heart of high-tech applications and products. Through examination of the rising needs for such carriers, this paper examines the approach and technologies which need to be considered by any producer of base metals. Attention is paid to the limits and extent of this carrier role in the typical processing of materials. Examples of specialised technology and flowsheet needs are presented with consideration given to a “whole of chain” or Systems-Integrated Metal Production (SIMP) approach as a cornerstone of a circular economy. Also outlined are the challenges facing not only producers, but legislators who need to consider the balance between providing our societal needs with baseline technology infrastructure requirements for valuable metals extraction. In summary, the message of this paper states simply that not only is the criticality of metals important but the criticality of the infrastructure (Infrastructure Criticality) that can recover metals from complex designed “mineral” mixtures. Base metals are at the heart of a Circular Economy, therefore key enablers of the Internet-of-Metallurgical-Things.