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.

Dr. Kirtikumar Randive

Dr. Kirtikumar R. Randive is presently working as a Professor and Head of the Department of the Post-Graduate Department of Geology, RTM Nagpur University, Nagpur, India. He is Editor of Springer Journal Mineralogy and Petrology, De Gruyter's Journal Open Geoscience and Dy. Chief Editor of the Nagpur University Science Journal. So far, he authored two monographs and jointly edited seven books for Elsevier, Springer-Nature, and De Gruyter. He also published several research papers in reputed journals and magazines. Dr. Randive was a member of the 31st Indian Expedition to Antarctica and a Visiting Fellow to the University of Portsmouth, UK. He received several awards and recognitions from different organizations including the Best Teacher (Research) Award of the RTM Nagpur University in 2017.

Dr. Sanjeevani Jawadand

Sanjeevani Jawadand is an Assistant Professor and Head at Shri Mathuradas Mohota College of Science, Nagpur.Earlier, she carried out her postgraduation with distinction and, subsequently, doctoral research from RTM Nagpur University. She has published more than 15 research papers including a monograph on Mineral Economics during her doctoral research. She received several awards including a gold medal in M.Sc., Kalagaurav and Kalavibhushan for handwriting and arts.

Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain

Dr Pradeep Kumar Jain retired from the post of Chief Mineral Economist from the Indian Bureau of Mines, Government of India, and obtained M.Tech. in Applied Geology from Sagar University, Sagar, Ph.D. in Geology, Ph.D. in Law, LL.M. degree in Law from RTM Nagpur University, M.C.A., M.B.A. and M.A. Economics from IGNOU, New Delhi. He has more than 40 years of experience in field of Mining and Geology, Mineral Exploration, Mineral Policy and Legislations and published 82 research papers in international and national journals and attended various seminars and conferences. Dr. Jain is a recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi National Award on Gyan-Vigyan for the book Khanij Sampada Aur Satat Vikas.

Dr. Ashok Kumar Nandi

Dr. Ashok Nandi is a Geologist by profession and completed his Ph.D. on Geology and Mineralogy of Bauxite in 1984. Dr. Nandi has published more than 60 papers on various aspects of ores and minerals, particularly on worldwide bauxite deposits. Dr. Nandi is a Leading International Consultant in the field of bauxite-alumina. He is one of the founder directors of the Mineral Information and Development Centre in India and also set up the International Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminum Society (IBAAS).