Advances in the Recovery of Critical Rare Dispersed Metals (Gallium, Germanium, Indium) from Urban Mineral Resources

Abstract

Urban mineral resources, with their significant recycling potential, have increasingly accumulated worldwide and become an important source for extracting valuable metals, particularly critical rare dispersed metals (CRDMs) such as gallium, germanium, and indium. As the electronics industry continues to grow rapidly, the demand for CRDMs is rising. However, CRDMs in primary mineral resources are often found in small, dispersed concentrations, making extraction challenging. In contrast, urban mineral resources contain relatively higher concentrations of CRDMs, making their comprehensive exploitation more advantageous than that of primary minerals. This paper underscores the importance of metal recycling by examining the current state of e-waste recycling from urban mineral resources in China. It outlines the general process of e-waste recycling, briefly compares the advantages and disadvantages of common metal recycling methods, and summarizes the current status of CRDMs recycling from various electronic wastes. Finally, this paper discusses the development trends and future prospects of metal recycling technology in urban minerals.