Dilute aqueous solutions, generated or used by mineral industry, generally contain several metal species; the latter are known to be non-biode-gradable substances. For this reason, various processes suitable for metal ions removal from water and effluents will be briefly reviewed, among them the conventional ones such as precipitation, sorption and ion exchange. Nevertheless, attention will be mainly paid to the application of innovative processes, particularly aiming for metals recover. In today's world of water shortage, water reuse in the mineral processing plants is also of great importance. Stress will be given to the necessary solid-liquid separation technique applied downstream, following the metals removal. The important aspect of applying industrial by-products (i.e.mineral fines, etc.) as efficient sorbents, including the biosorbents, will be discussed. Finally, the chemistry of pyrite flotation will be reported.
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