Introduction

Hydrometallurgical process alternatives are preferred for certain industries including zinc, gold and uranium processing. Hydrometallurgy still has its fair share of challenges, including the disposal of environmentally unstable leach residues, and aqueous effluents. Hydrometallurgical processes which require large inputs of electric power are at a disadvantage in remote places where unit power costs are high and where the best ore deposits tend to be. Moreover, hydrometallurgy has significant challenges in energy efficiency: any heating and cooling of the salts in solution requires heating of cooling of the solvent which is often 95-99% of the solution mass.Hydrometallurgical processes, being a wet mineral processing technique, often require large amounts of water but, water recycling and management have significantly reduced the water demands for most aqueous processes.

Course Benefits

The METS Hydrometallurgy Course provides a concise overview of a range of unit processes associated with extractive metallurgy. With a strong resources sector and the growth of new projects there is unprecedented demand for personnel with expertise in hydrometallurgical unit operations.

Processing plants represent a significant capital resource. As such a comprehensive grasp of the operating dynamics is essential to ensure efficient management, optimum throughput and recovery. The course includes sound technical information regarding comminution and beneficiation (including froth flotation) of ore. Detailed information on a range of hydrometallurgical unit operations are included in the curriculum and discussed at length.

Participants are provided with comprehensive course notes on CD covering the basic theoretical and practical aspects of metallurgy. This will serve as a valuable resource for later reference.

Leading Presenter

Damian Connelly - Director/Principal Consulting Engineer
Mineral Engineering Technical Services
Damian has over 40 years experience as a Consulting Metallurgist. He has extensive experience in the gold, copper, lead, zinc, uranium and iron ore industries. His field of expertise lies in plant operations, feasibility studies, detailed design, and commissioning. He has been involved in many projects including engineering, audit, due diligence, tenders and expert witness work.

METS' training courses have been run both in Australia and overseas, and are highly regarded.

Who Should Attend?

The course is designed to provide key knowledge of Hydrometallurgy to mining personnel, project managers, geologist, senior mine and processing plant operating staff, engineers and researchers. The course can also benefit training providers, suppliers to resource industry, technologists, accountants, brokers and investors. It requires no pre-requisite knowledge and is run over one day with a certificate provided at the completion of the course.

Course Programme

• Introduction
• Ore Characteristics & Mineralogy
• Leaching Principles
• Solvent Extraction
• Adsorption & Precipitation
• Electrowinning
• Metal Reduction
• Examples & Case Studies

   Click here to download our Hydrometallurgy Brochure