Nickel laterite ore being treated in leaching columns.
Precious and base metals hydrometallurgy
CSIRO is working closely with research partners and the Australian minerals industry to maximise the returns from mineral resources derived using hydrometallurgical processes while reducing the environmental impact of these processes.
- 1 March 2010 | Updated 14 October 2011
Hydrometallurgy overview
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Hydrometallurgical processing involves extraction, purification and recovery of metals from ores, concentrates or other metal-bearing materials using processes where water is a primary factor.
It has become a significant technology in the production of today’s precious and base metals.
We work closely with industry to improve current processes through improved fundamental knowledge and develop new processing options through innovative new approaches to old problems.
Our hydrometallurgy research capabilities are applied to both precious and base metals.
