This study explores the pyrolysis process applied to various non-utilized waste materials, specifically focusing on separated plastics from municipal waste, wood waste (including pallets and window frames), paper rejects, and automotive carpets. Different combinations of these waste materials were subjected to pyrolysis, a process involving high-temperature treatment (600 °C) in a nitrogen atmosphere. The resulting products, including biochar, gas, and liquid fractions, as well as the residual waste materials, underwent comprehensive analysis. The evaluation of pyrolysis products emphasizes their quality, energy content, and potential applications. Notably, the pyrolysis gas derived from the combination of separated municipal plastics and waste wood exhibited the highest calorific value at 49.45 MJ/m³. Additionally, Mixture 2, consisting of plastic and wood waste, demonstrated the highest calorific value for the pyrolysis condensate, reaching 30.62 MJ/kg. Moreover, Mixture 3, benefiting from biochar utilization as a sorbent, displayed the highest iodine value at 90.01 mg/g.

This study investigated the potential of low-grade gold deposits in modern mining, particularly in the context of declining high-grade resources. The primary method for processing these ores was gravity separation with the Knelson concentrator. A GRG test (gravity recoverable gold test) was conducted on two gold-bearing samples: a polymetallic Cu-Zn-Au ore from Zlaté Hory–Západ (Czech Republic) containing refractory gold and an ore with free gold from Kašperské Hory (Czech Republic). The study evaluated the effectiveness of the GRG test for gold recovery from these ores. The results showed that the Kašperské Hory sample predominantly contained relatively large gold grains, with recovery rates dropping significantly upon finer comminution. In the sample from the Zlaté Hory–Západ deposit, the greatest GRG release occurred in the first and last test stages, suggesting that larger sulfide grains with bound gold passed predominantly in the first stage, while fine gold with residual sulfides passed in the third. Both samples achieved high overall GRG recovery rates, with 64.2% for Kašperské Hory and more than 66% for Zlaté Hory–Západ, demonstrating the efficacy of centrifugal concentrators for both ores.

The paper concerns an analysis of waste management at VŠB – Technical University of Ostrava (VŠB-TUO). The paper focuses mainly on mixed municipal waste, and paper and cardboard waste, which make up the largest part of all waste generated at this university. The results of analyses of these three types of waste are presented. The analyses were carried out to determine the actual raw material composition of the contents of the collection bins and to determine how full they were on collection days. The studies were carried out within the framework of national waste legislation in line with European Union legislation. The results of these analyses served as the basis for the development of a waste management concept at the university.

This study investigates the potential use of black coal mining waste as a feedstock for plasma gasification. A national database of coal waste heaps was developed based on standardized criteria such as heap volume (>100,000 m³), accessibility, and environmental risk. From six initially sampled sites, two active and unreclaimed heaps—Jan Karel (Karviná) and Paskov D (Ostrava)—were selected for detailed material analysis due to their favorable characteristics. Subsequent plasma gasification experiments were conducted using sorted coal waste fractions at a temperature of 1600 °C in a pilot-scale plasma reactor. Four trials were performed with fuel flow rates of 15 and 20 kg/h and varying steam/fuel ratios (0.6, 1.0, and 1.3). The results revealed a high syngas yield of up to 92% by volume. Increasing the steam/fuel ratio led to higher hydrogen and carbon dioxide content in the syngas, while lower ratios favored carbon monoxide and trace methane formation. Volt-ampere characteristics of the plasma torch showed that higher nitrogen flow rates required higher voltage to maintain a stable arc. The findings confirm the technical feasibility and efficiency of converting selected coal mining waste into valuable syngas, supporting its future use in advanced waste-to-energy technologies.