The role of green technologies in reducing environmental impact in metallurgy

This paper investigates recent advancements in sustainable metallurgical processes, focusing on innovative technologies that reduce the environmental impact of metal production while enhancing resource efficiency. The study examines key areas such as microwave and ultrasonic processing, biological methods for metal recovery, hydrogen-based metallurgy, and precious metal recycling. Microwave and ultrasonic techniques demonstrate significant potential in improving energy efficiency and recovery rates in mineral beneficiation and smelting processes. Biological methods provide a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments, offering comparable recovery rates with reduced toxic waste generation. The integration of hydrogen as a reducing agent in metal production, particularly in steel manufacturing, offers a transformative solution for reducing CO₂ emissions by up to 85%.