This paper reviews current research in high pulsed power technologies for processing of precious metals containing refractory ores and natural mineral aggregates. This is a branch of experimental engineering physics that critically depends on national priority research projects for its dynamic development. The aim of the manuscript is to show progress in the study of nanosecond processes involved in the disintegration and breaking-up of mineral complexes with fine disseminated precious metals. The manuscript presents results of theoretical and experimental studies of the mechanisms of the nonthermal action of high-power electromagnetic pulses with nanosecond leading edge, pulse duration, and high electric field strength on natural mineral media. Experimental data are presented to confirm the formation of breakdown channels and selective disintegration of mineral complexes as a result of pulse irradiation. This makes for efficient access of lixiviant solutions to precious metal particles and enhances precious metal recovery into lixivia during leaching. The paper shows the advantages of high-energy pulse treatment that provides a stable gain in valuable components recovery (5–80% gain for gold and 20–50% for silver) and at the same time helps to reduce energy consumption and cost of products in the processing of resistant gold-containing ores and beneficiation products from Russian deposits. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was used for determining the relationship between electromagnetic pulses energy and the surface chemical composition for pyrite and arsenopyrite. It has been concluded that impulsive treatment influences oxidation and hydrophobicity of the minerals and, therefore, it allows for the control of the hydrophobic–hydrophilic mineral surface balance.

Thermodynamic concepts are shown to be inadequate when applied to the complex multi-staged and fast formation process of a flotation complex and the relevance is demonstrated of studying the interaction kinetics of a mineral particle and a gas bubble. A mechanism is proposed explaining the formation of flotation contact, in which both the ionic and physical forms of sorption, active with respect to the gas-liquid interface, play the key role. Sorption is physically represented by either ion-molecular associates or long-chain collectors. While in the flotation of semiconductor sulfides the physically sorbed collector form is formed by an electrochemical mechanism and is represented by xanthate-dixanthogenide associates, where the flotation of dielectric minerals is activated by heavy metal ions, xanthate ion-metal xanthate associates can take on this role. Physically, the collector’s sorption form is present in the collector-free flotation, where polysulfide forms act as the former. It is shown that metal xanthate – dixanthogen – xanthate ion mixtures forming when flotation is activated by copper have especially high collector performance.

One of the main sources of non-ferrous and precious metals is sulfide ores. This paper presents a review of the existing literature on the electrochemical properties of some of the most common industrial sulfides, such as pentlandite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, pyrrhotite, pyrite, etc. The study results of the surface redox transformations of minerals, galvanic effect, cathodic oxygen reduction reaction on the surface of sulfides are presented. The electrochemical properties of sulfide minerals are manifested both in the industrial processes of flotation and hydrometallurgy and in the natural geological setting or during the storage of sulfide-containing mining, mineral processing, and metallurgical industry waste.

Using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), microscopy and microhardness test methods, the change in the crystalline and chemical properties and...