monimetallinen

Monimetallinen is a Finnish adjective used in geology, mining and materials science to describe a material, ore, or alloy that contains two or more distinct metals. The term derives from mono- meaning one and metallinen meaning metallic, with the suffix -inen forming an adjective.

In geology and mining, monimetallinen malmi or ore refers to ore minerals in which several different metals occur together, such as copper-nickel sulfide ores or zinc-lead-silver systems. The presence of multiple metals often influences ore formation processes and economic viability, including extraction challenges and value distribution among the metals.

In metallurgy and materials engineering, monimetallinen material may refer to alloys or composites containing several metals, including multi-metal catalysts or advanced alloys. Distinctions between monimetallinen and monometallinen are relevant for processing and recycling, as separation strategies depend on how metals are combined, the mineralogical phases present, and their physical and chemical properties.

Processing and analysis of monimetallinen materials typically involve characterization methods such as X-ray fluorescence (XRF), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) or ICP-mass spectrometry, along with mineralogical techniques. Hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical approaches may be employed to separate or recover metals; the extraction sequence and presence of intermetallic phases affect selectivity and recovery yields.

See also: monometallinen, monimetallinen malmi.