INNOVATIVE TRENDS IN RAW MATERIALS HEAT TREATMENT

The purpose of research and development in the field of raw materials extraction and treatment, is a significant component of the Slovak economy, is economical, efficiency and sustainable use of available raw materials in compliance with principles of environmental protection. This complex problem involves a wide range of necessary activities from the exploration, extraction, processing to final utilization of mineral resources. Innovations of higher level based on scientific knowledge that lead to change of research focus from operational research on conceptual issues are desirable. Present research results show that qualitative innovations may ensure higher order improvement. In complex systems, such as the area of mineral resources, is necessary to find the complex optimum involving the entire value chain from research through mining, processing, primary and secondary (recycling) processing of raw materials to creation of new products and technologies. Environmentally friendly innovative and intelligent raw materials processing can only be achieved with the active support of information and communication technology (ICT), information and digitization of the processes and equipments and advanced automation - SMARTization of the processes and technological nodes. Thereby, it ensures the autonomy of these intelligent nodes and their functional verification under pilot and operating conditions. Thus, the substantiation of an advanced technology implementation into the mining companies practice can be shown.