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Hydrometallurgical testwork

Process development & optimisation

ALS has created and invested in a state-of-the-art Hydrometallurgical Centre of Excellence (HCE). We have a dedicated, fully equipped facility covering an extensive range of bench and continuous testwork options for process flowsheet development, and unit operation testing. The HCE can accommodate a simple amenability leach test, progressing to scoping studies on master composites, right through to bankable feasibility studies encompassing comprehensive process optimisation and validation together with variability studies.

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Capability & experience

Hydrometallurgy is really getting to the sharp end of processing, long past crushing rocks and handling slurry streams. The processes ALS uses are intricate and the chemistry extremely complex, and moreover, the safety implications of adding acid, pressure and high temperature are ramped up exponentially from upstream processing. Clients expect and need a laboratory team to be conversant in all matters to achieve their project goals. The integrated depth and breadth of technical services available to our professional staff means that testwork is carried out efficiently and safely with informed decisions made in a timely manner. We have access to expertise and developments at the cutting edge of metallurgical technology.

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Hydrometallurgical testwork services

ALS offers a wide variety of hydrometallurgical testing services from leaching to refining, at both benchscale and pilot scale. Trusted by the international mining, engineering, and financial sectors, our specialist hydrometallurgists work with you to develop and demonstrate successful extraction for the following commodities:

  • Nickel
  • Copper
  • Zinc
  • Rare earths
  • Energy Metals (Vanadium, Lithium)
  • Uranium
  • Cobalt
  • Gold
  • And more.

Our equipment includes a range of Agitair and Denver cells with full instrumentation and cell sizes ranging from 0.5L to 300L, conducting the following types of tests:

Here are some frequently asked questions

  • How much sample mass do I need for a leach program?

    Well that depends on the type of sample material, ore or concentrate and the extent of the program, but some rough guidelines for leaching tests are as follows:

    • Head analysis 1-2 kg
    • Atmospheric Bottle Roll Test 0.5 – 1.0 kg (depending on % solids)
    • Leaching optimisation 1 kg per test so 10-50 kg usually suffices
    • Bulk Leaching piloting 10-50 kg per hour (typically 120h run time)
    • Heap (Column) Leaching 12 kg/m (100mm Ø) 70 kg/m (2400mm Ø)
  • Will ALS treat hazardous samples?

    Generally, yes. ALS has facilities and procedures to treat fibrous and radioactive samples. Surcharges do apply, however, to cover safety equipment, monitoring, and decontamination.

  • Our samples are from overseas, what do I do?

    ALS is a quarantine approved premises and treats many samples of oversea origin.  Strict regulatory requirements are in needed around packaging and paperwork, however.  ALS can advise you on these requirements.

  • Can I send plant slurry samples?

    Yes, ALS can filter your plant slurry samples as required.

  • Can I do my own testwork at ALS?

    Generally, no. Insurance and safety protocols typically prevent renting laboratory space, and this is not part of our business model. Clients are able to visit and witness testwork, but this is to observe only! Typically, clients may attend on 24/7 piloting campaigns and interact with senior staff members for Technical interactions.

  • Can my associates and I view the testwork at ALS?

    Yes, clients are always welcome to visit our facilities and observe samples or tests in progress. Inductions are required and other rules may apply to visitors.

  • Will ALS dispatch my samples to third parties?

    Yes, if a testwork program is in progress, ALS will happily dispatch testwork products and feed samples to vendors, third party laboratories, and customers as required. Fees apply.

  • Does ALS do bulk pilot testwork?

    Yes, Generally piloting testwork follows a successful bench testwork program where the proposed process flowsheet has been selected. Continuous testwork will prove the viability of the selected flowsheet and confirm recycle streams and overall circuit kinetics which is not possible from only batch or bench scale tests.

  • Does ALS do design engineering and consulting?

    No, as it is not our core business and would put us in direct competition with many of our clients.  We can, however, put you in contact with a range of reputable engineering providers and consultants.

Associated testwork services

Related testwork

Leach testwork rarely happens in isolation and typically many other processes are required pre-and-post leaching testwork, as follows:

  • Sample Characterization
  • Mineralogy
  • rheology
  • solid liquid separation including flocculation and settling
  • impurity removal
  • Iron control chemistry
  • tailings management
  • materials of construction selection testwork (corrosion coupons) preliminary piloting
  • and fully integrated piloting

Click on the above links or contact us for further information. We can integrate a full program for you if required.