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Electrowinning (EW)

Electrowinning (EW)

Electrowinning is the electrodeposition of dissolved metal ions from leach solutions. An electrowinning cell comprises of a bath containing the leach solution in which inert anodes and cathodes are immersed. An electrical current is then passed from the inert anode (oxidation) through the leach solution causing the dissolved metal ions to be deposited onto the cathode (reduction). ALS has created and invested in a ‘state of the art’ Hydrometallurgical Centre of Excellence (HCE) and has a world class service capability to investigate electrowinning in all flowsheet configurations.

Electrowinning

Electrowinning services

A range of electro-winning cells is available to produce a range of metal cathodes as final metal products, including: copper, nickel, lead, gold, silver, and cobalt. These cells can incorporate bagged anodes or cathodes. EW cells are also relatively easy to fabricate and can be made to suit a specific application.

Three rectifiers are available for current delivery to the cells and if necessary additional units can be purchased or hired.

Electro-winning can be done in batch mode or continuously when integrated with a solvent extraction pilot plant or other leaching process plants.

ALS had conducted electro-winning with a range of cathode sizes from 1/10 to full size.

Don't see what you need or are unsure about some of the services and associated requirements?

Hydrometallurgical testwork is always complex, and so we are happy to help walk you through the process, or meet your requirements exactly.

Please contact us for further details.

Here are some frequently asked questions

  • Can I do my own testwork in ALS's laboratory?

    Generally, no. Insurance and safety protocols typically prevent renting laboratory space and this is not part of ALS’s 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 vendors attend the ALS lab to do associated testwork?

    Yes, Vendors and SX reagent suppliers often attend during specific bench and pilot scale testwork periods to conduct offline tests.

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

    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 impurity removal 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

Electrowinning rarely happens in isolation and typically many other processes are inter-related, leaching, CCD, filtration, recycles, impurity removal, purification etc.


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