Bismuth: Economic geology and value chains

Bismuth occurs in a wide range of mineral deposit types and is usually regarded as deleterious by-product. Its classification critical raw material by the European Commission 2017 USA 2018 has, however, reawakened interest Bi production its security supply. Demand for increasing, mostly substitute Pb use chemicals. mainly chalcophile behaviour, although it has some lithophile characteristics. The element strongly concentrated felsic crustal lithologies, particularly fractionated granites, where can Zr zircon. It within diverse minerals; most important hydrothermal minerals are native bismuth bismuthinite. galena Bi-rich major ore. alloys with gold to form maldonite at temperatures < 373 °C, thereby acting Au collector melts, under reduced conditions. In weathering environment generally immobile: forms oxide or hydroxide ochres co-precipitates Fe. found mineralised systems, sometimes sufficient quantities be economically extracted common sources W-, Pb-, and, occasionally, Au-rich skarns, while five (Co-Ni-Bi-Ag-As ± U) vein deposits were historically source Bi. also large magmatic systems such Sn- W-rich greisens associated veins present trace concentrations porphyry-hosted Mo-W-mineralisation intrusion-related Au, well orogenic deposits. VMS host minor mineralisation, typically parts system. supply reliant on Asian production; notably skarns Núi Pháo Vietnam Shizhuyuan China. Alternative supplies could unlocked greater consideration by-production evaluation stage polymetallic prospects elsewhere, if more sustainable recovery techniques developed retrieval from conventional processing circuits. knowledge base improved upon through interventions exploration, resource reserve reporting planning stages. This turn would provide understanding deportment Bi-bearing minerals, impacting design flow sheets reducing waste, improving sustainability environmental footprint