A search for the keyword nano reveals that it has not made a significant entry into the mineral processing research literature. In contrast, the terms micelle, colloid, interface, and monolayer are well established there. By considering nanoscience as colloid and interface science at the nanoscale, it is claimed that several previous and current investigations in the broad field of mineral processing fall under the umbrella of nanoscience._x000D_
Several examples from hydrometallurgical processing systems (invisible gold and activated carbon in gold extraction; monolayers, reverse micelles, and microemulsions in solvent extraction; nanobiofilms and nanoparticles in biohydrometallurgy) are highlighted in support of this view._x000D_
CITATION:Osseo-Asare, K, 2010. Nanoscience in aqueous processing, in Proceedings XXV International Mineral Processing Congress (IMPC) 2010, pp 101-110 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).