dc.contributor
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Doctorat en Recursos Naturals i Medi Ambient
dc.contributor
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. Departament d'Enginyeria Minera, Industrial i TIC
dc.contributor
Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya. RIIS - Grup de Recerca en Recursos i Indústries Intel·ligents i Sostenibles
dc.contributor.author
Mohanty, Kalyani
dc.contributor.author
Alfonso Abella, María Pura
dc.contributor.author
Oliva Moncunill, Josep
dc.contributor.author
Hoffmann Sampaio, Carlos
dc.contributor.author
Anticoi Sudzuki, Hernán Francisco
dc.date.issued
2025-10-16
dc.identifier
Mohanty, K. [et al.]. Perspectives for high-purity quartz from European resources. «Minerals», 16 Octubre 2025, vol. 15, núm. 10, article 1080.
dc.identifier
https://hdl.handle.net/2117/445084
dc.identifier
10.3390/min15101080
dc.description.abstract
High-purity quartz (HPQ) is a critical raw material for advanced technologies including semiconductors, photovoltaic cells, and optical fibers. This study reviews the geological occurrence, beneficiation routes, and strategic significance of HPQ within the European context. Quartz processing follows a sequential flowsheet of comminution, magnetic separation, flotation, acid leaching, and thermal treatment, designed to remove mineral impurities such as Fe, Al, Ti, and mica. The resulting ultra-high-purity quartz (UHPQ) achieves the chemical and physical specifications required for high-tech industries. Quartz, which is the most common mineral on Earth, can be found in a variety of geological locations such as granitic rocks and pegmatites in the Variscan Belt, metamorphic quartzites, hydrothermal veins, and Pleistocene periglacial and aeolian sediments. Case studies of European deposits demonstrate that geological origin directly influences processing requirements, and that tailored beneficiation strategies are essential to unlock viable resources. To our knowledge, this is the first Europe-focused synthesis that links these findings with the EU Critical Raw Materials Act, the work that emphasizes the potential for domestic HPQ development to strengthen European supply chain resilience, reduce dependence on imports, and support the transition to a green and digital economy.
dc.description.abstract
This research was funded by QUEEN (Quartz Enrichment Enabling Near-Zero Silicon Production Grant Agreement 101178144) and by the Generalitat de Catalunya for the Consolidated Research Groups SGR 01041 (RIIS).
dc.description.abstract
Peer Reviewed
dc.description.abstract
7 - Energia Assequible i No Contaminant
dc.description.abstract
9 - Indústria, Innovació i Infraestructura
dc.description.abstract
4 - Educació de Qualitat
dc.description.abstract
12 - Producció i Consum Responsables
dc.description.abstract
13 - Acció per al Clima
dc.description.abstract
Postprint (published version)
dc.format
application/pdf
dc.relation
https://www.mdpi.com/2075-163X/15/10/1080
dc.relation
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/HE/101178144/EU/Quartz Enrichment Enabling Near-Zero Silicon Production/QUEEN
dc.rights
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.rights
Attribution 4.0 International
dc.subject
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria civil::Enginyeria de mines::Processament de minerals
dc.subject
Quartz purification technologies
dc.subject
Mineral processing
dc.title
Perspectives for high-purity quartz from European resources
