Abstract
The enhancement of resource-use efficiency is crucial for attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations by 2030. Improving energy efficiency in the mining and mineral processing industry can help to meet environmental targets and result in significant economic savings. The present research aims to enhance the energy efficiency of microwave pre-conditioning for comminution purposes. A fully-coupled Electromagnetic and Heat Transfer numerical tool was developed and validated through experimental measurements. The model was then used to study the effects of shape, size, and placement of cuboid-shaped crushed samples on the energy efficiency of the microwave treatment process. The simulation results show that larger size classes exhibit better responses to microwave energy absorption, and random placement of particles yields consistent heat absorptions. These findings can play a vital role in improving the energy efficiency of pre-treatment processes and facilitate a transition to more sustainable size reduction procedures.