Current Trends in Mineral-Based Products and Utilization of Wastes: Recent Studies from India

Minerals are essential commodities for the growth of mankind, and all the progress of humanity owes unequivocally to minerals. However, winning minerals through mining has always been cursed, and mankind has paid a heavy price for mining in the form of great loss of flora and fauna and unprecedented impact on the environment. Notwithstanding any arguments either in favor or against, one cannot deny that for the progression, advancement, and security of nations mining is indispensable, compulsory, and unavoidable trade. It is in the best interest of every stakeholder; a sustainable approach to mining must be adopted. Sustainability has many dimensions, two most important being: the optimum utilization of mined-out materials and creating value-added products from the mining wastes. Taking a cue from this, an international seminar was organized on "Prospects and Challenges of Mineral Based Products and Utilization of Wastes for the 'Make in India' Initiative" at Hotel Radisson Blu from 10-12 November 2022. The conference was attended by about 120 delegates from all over India. This book is a compilation of selected papers presented during the conference, broadly divided into the following groups: (a) rare earth elements, (b) ferrous minerals, (c) non-ferrous minerals, (d) industrial minerals, (e) waste utilization and valorization and (f) other significant contributions. Written by experts and edited by academicians and technocrats, this book promises to be a valuable and essential reading for professionals, researchers, as well as students.