Geometallurgy brings geology, mining and metallurgy together to explain how different parts of an orebody are likely to behave during processing.
METS Engineering provides specialist geometallurgy services that help mining companies understand ore variability, define metallurgical domains and make better-informed processing decisions.
By connecting geological information with metallurgical testwork and process knowledge, we can help clients identify potential recovery, throughput and product quality issues before they affect project performance.
Geometallurgy is an interdisciplinary approach used to predict the metallurgical behaviour of ore before it is mined and processed.
It combines information about the orebody, including mineralogy, grade, hardness and mineral associations, with metallurgical test results. This information can then be used to classify the ore into domains with similar processing characteristics.
In practical terms, geometallurgy can be considered a form of metallurgical ore typing. It identifies ore based on the characteristics that control how it will respond inside the processing plant.
These characteristics may influence:
Understanding these factors early can improve mine planning, testwork selection, process design and operational decision-making.
An orebody is rarely uniform. Ore characteristics can change across geological zones, mining stages and depths.
Two samples with a similar grade may behave very differently during processing. One may be harder to grind, while another may contain minerals that reduce recovery or increase reagent consumption.
If this variability is not identified, it can result in:
A well-designed geometallurgical program helps project teams recognise these risks and incorporate them into mine plans, process designs and operating strategies.
METS Engineering can support geometallurgical programs from initial scoping through to detailed analysis and operational application.
The scope is tailored to the project stage, commodity, available data and specific processing risks.
We can help establish a practical program based on the decisions the project needs to make.
This may include defining objectives, selecting test methods, determining sample requirements and identifying the geological and metallurgical variables that should be assessed.
Representative sampling is essential to producing useful geometallurgical information.
METS can assist with selecting samples across ore types, grades, alteration zones, weathering profiles and other relevant geological domains.
We can also develop and manage metallurgical testwork programs covering areas such as:
Ore characterisation helps establish the physical, chemical and metallurgical properties that affect processing.
METS reviews available geological, mineralogical and metallurgical information to identify the variables most likely to influence plant performance.
This provides a stronger technical basis for distinguishing between ore types and determining how each may need to be processed.
Metallurgical ore typing groups ore according to its expected processing behaviour rather than grade or geology alone.
This can help a project determine whether different areas of the orebody require changes to blending, grinding, reagent addition, residence time or other processing conditions.
METS can support the development of metallurgical domains by analysing relationships between geological characteristics and testwork results.
The aim is to identify areas of the orebody that are expected to respond consistently during processing.
Depending on the project, domains may be based on factors such as:
Geometallurgical models use available data to estimate how ore may behave under defined processing conditions.
METS can assist with reviewing datasets, identifying meaningful relationships and developing models appropriate to the quality and quantity of available information.
The results can support decisions relating to:
Models are developed and interpreted with an understanding of their limitations. This helps ensure that predictions are applied appropriately and that areas requiring further testwork are clearly identified.
Geometallurgy can add value at several stages of a mining project.
During exploration and early studies, geometallurgy can help identify the main processing risks and determine whether different ore types require further investigation.
Early findings can guide sample selection and help focus future testwork on the areas that matter most.
During engineering studies, geometallurgical information can improve confidence in flowsheet development, equipment selection, recovery assumptions and operating cost estimates.
It can also help demonstrate how ore variability has been considered within the proposed process design.
As the project advances, geometallurgical models can be refined using additional drilling, sampling and testwork data.
This provides more detailed information for plant design, production planning and the development of operating strategies.
For operating plants, geometallurgy can help explain changes in throughput, recovery, reagent demand or concentrate quality.
Linking plant performance with the characteristics of the feed ore can support improved blending, planning and process control.
Geometallurgy is most valuable when its findings can be applied to real mining and processing decisions.
METS Engineering focuses on translating geological and metallurgical information into clear, practical recommendations. We work with client teams to determine what the available data shows, where uncertainty remains and what additional work may be required.
The findings may help clients:
METS Engineering has supported geometallurgical investigations across gold, copper, magnetite and other mineral projects.
| Project | Geometallurgical Focus |
|---|---|
| Citic Pacific Magnetite Project | Silica content in concentrate |
| Ecuador Copper Project | Ore domain definition |
| Frogs Leg Project | Oxide, transition and fresh ore characterisation |
| Giants Reef Gold Project | Preg-robbing index |
| Magnetite Range Project | Silica content in concentrate |
| Mina Sertão Gold Project | Gravity and carbon-in-leach recovery |
| Paulsens Gold Project | Cyanide-soluble copper |
| Roseby Copper Project | Ore domain characterisation |
| Toka Tindung Project | Ore domain characterisation |
METS Engineering is an independent metallurgical consultancy based in Perth, Western Australia, supporting mining and resource projects in Australia and internationally.
Our geometallurgy work is informed by practical experience across metallurgical testwork, mineral processing, process modelling, engineering studies and plant operations.
Clients work with METS because we provide:
Our approach is based on understanding each project in detail. We adapt the scope as new information becomes available and keep clients informed throughout the work.
Whether you are defining metallurgical domains for a developing resource or investigating variable performance at an existing plant, METS Engineering can help you understand how ore characteristics may affect processing.
Contact our team to discuss your project, available data and the geometallurgical questions that need to be answered.