Key Enabler for a Sustainable Circular Economy of Minerals and Metals

The Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF) pursues the objective of developing innovative technologies for the economy so that mineral and metalliferous raw materials can be made available and used more efficiently and recycled in an environmentally friendly manner.

The institute is a constituent part of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf. It researches in the Resource Technology Topic within the Energy Efficiency, Materials, and Resources Program of the Helmholtz Association. HIF works in close collaboration with TU Bergakademie Freiberg and is a core member of the European EIT RawMaterials network, having played a decisive role in its establishment.

News

When batteries become foam: HZDR PhD student with concept for improved battery recycling at Falling Walls competition

Efficiently recycling batteries and reintegrating the reco­vered materials into production is still an apparently unsolvable problem for industry. That's why researchers around the world are looking for new approaches. One of them is Anna Vanderbruggen. The PhD student at the Helmholtz Institute for Resource Technology Freiberg (HIF) - an institution of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) - developed a concept to recycle graphite from used lithium-ion batteries. On November 7th, she will present her approach in the final of the future competition Falling Walls in Berlin.

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Dr. Jens Gutzmer receives Sil­ver Medal from the Society of Economic Geologists

The Society of Economic Geologists (SEG) recognizes the Director of the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF) at the HZDR, Dr. Jens Gutzmer, with the Sil­ver Medal 2022. With o­ver 7000 international members from industry and academia, the SEG is the world's largest association in the field of fundamental and applied mineral deposit research. The Sil­ver Medal has been awarded since 1980 to recipients in mid-career for excellence in original work in the geology of mineral deposits. The award ceremony will take place next year at the SEG Conference in Den­ver, Colorado (USA).

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Freiberg researchers open joint laboratory for luminescence research

The Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology (HIF) and the TU Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF) have been active in the field of luminescence research for many years. At TUBAF, this method is used to determine the age of sediment samples. The competences are now being further expanded in order to make spectroscopic measurements usable for the characterisation of resources and materials as well.

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Events

Critical minerals: From disco­very to supply chain, 16.-18.11.2021

The online workshop will address the critical minerals needed to grow low-carbon economies, emphasizing those used in battery, magnet, and photovoltaic ­techno­logies. Presentations will consi­der the life cycle of critical minerals from exploration, resource availability, and mineral systems to market trends and supply chains.

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Activities

FineFuture

The FineFuture project researches new ways to exploit the reco­very of fine particle fractions in metalliferous raw materials. Se­parating ­very fine particles is important for the valorization of multiple mineral resources, for example nickel, kaolin, feldspar, talc and magnesite. With a particular focus on froth flotation, the project aims at enabling the development of groundbreaking ­techno­logies in the raw materials sector.

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