The IX professional conference “Towards Sustainable Transport 2025” was held on November 6 and 7 at the Mona Plaza Hotel in Zlatibor. The event brought together experts, industry representatives, and members of the academic community with the aim of exchanging knowledge and promoting sustainable practices in transport and related sectors.
Among the participants at this significant event was Metal-Cinkara, which highlighted the importance of the circular economy in modern industrial processes through its presentation.
Particular attention was drawn to the presentation by Kristina Todorović, MSc Chem., Head of Technology and Chemicals Advisor at the company.
In her presentation entitled “The Principle of Circular Economy: Application of Spent Hydrochloric Acid Rich in Zinc in the Flotation Process of Lead-Zinc-Copper Ore,” she introduced an innovative approach to chemical waste management through its valorization in the mining industry.
She emphasized that at the end of 2024, this spent acid was registered as a BY-PRODUCT (NUS-12) in accordance with the Law on Waste Management, the Rulebook on Criteria for Determining By-Products and the Reporting Form for By-Products, including the manner and deadlines for submission, as well as under the new IPPC permit.
She reminded the audience that waste hydrochloric acid, rich in zinc and generated as a by-product in the metal surface protection process, can be successfully used in flotation processes for ore beneficiation, particularly for lead-zinc-copper ores.
This concept not only contributes to reducing industrial waste but also increases the efficiency of resource utilization in the mining industry, providing dual benefits — environmental and economic.
The proposed model represents a practical example of implementing circular economy principles through intersectoral cooperation between the chemical and mining industries. Furthermore, such utilization significantly contributes to reducing the carbon footprint.
