Abstract
Information is given about the need to dispose of waste from the Shymkent lead plant in the form of slags, which have accumulated about 2 million tons. It is proved that lead production slags contain a large number of toxic compounds, such as lead, zinc, osmium, and cadmium, which are dangerous sources of environmental pollution. According to the results of X-ray diffractometric analysis and DTA, it was found that the slag of lead produc- tion contains a fairly high number of non-ferrous metal compounds: the content of lead oxide up to 2 %, zinc oxide up to 17% and copper oxide up to 1.25% of the total weight of the sample. The qualitative composition and content of non-ferrous metals of lead slags makes it possible to make the process of recycling toxic waste from lead production technically and economically feasible. The results of preliminary tests allow us to select a technology for more complete and selective extraction of lead and zinc oxides from the slag waste of lead production. When using a selective method for extracting non- ferrous metals, it is expected to improve the ecological state of the environment and reduce the negative impact on human health due to the disposal of toxic slags from lead production. At the same time, a significant contribution is made to the development of the system of rational use of natural and secondary resources.