Unravelling the mechanisms of critical mineral indium incorporation in chalcopyrite (XAS-Mode Y): Implications for mineral processing (2025)
Abstract
Recovering critical minerals like indium from mine waste supports circular economy goals by reducing waste, enabling cost-effective rehabilitation of legacy mine sites, and promoting sustainable critical metal supply chains. Copper¿tin-rich wastes in NE Queensland offer strong potential for indium recovery, as it was not historically extracted. This project investigates the structural incorporation of indium in chalcopyrite using XAS (Mode Y) capabilities through EXAFS by analysing the coordination environments of the indium, silver and tin K-edges. These findings will provide insights into indium substitution mechanisms within chalcopyrite, informing more effective strategies for recovering indium as a valuable by-product of copper processing.
