METS Engineering provides specialist hydrometallurgy services for mining and mineral processing projects in Australia and worldwide.
Our metallurgical consultants support projects from early testwork and process selection through to engineering studies, plant design, commissioning and operational optimisation.
We work closely with clients to understand the characteristics of the feed material, assess suitable extraction methods and develop practical processes that support recovery, efficiency and project performance.
Hydrometallurgy is the extraction and recovery of metals from ores, concentrates or other materials using water-based chemical solutions.
The process commonly involves dissolving the target metal through leaching, separating unwanted material, purifying the metal-bearing solution and recovering a saleable product.
A hydrometallurgical flowsheet may include:
The right process depends on the ore or concentrate, target metal, mineralogy, impurities, required product and commercial objectives of the project.
Hydrometallurgical projects involve a series of closely connected chemical and physical processes. A change in one part of the circuit can influence recovery, reagent use, product quality and downstream performance.
Poorly understood feed variability or unsuitable operating conditions may lead to:
METS Engineering applies metallurgical knowledge and practical project experience to identify these risks and develop solutions appropriate to the project stage.
METS has experience across hydrometallurgical studies, piloting, project development, commissioning and plant operation. The service scope can be adapted to greenfield developments, brownfield expansions and existing plant improvement programs.
Reliable process development begins with a testwork program designed around the decisions the project needs to make.
METS can develop and manage hydrometallurgical testwork programs to assess:
We can assist with sample selection, laboratory coordination, testwork supervision, result interpretation and recommendations for further investigation.
Leaching transfers the target metal from the feed material into a solution so it can be separated and recovered.
METS can assess and develop leaching processes based on the characteristics of the material and the required recovery outcome.
This may include:
Our consultants consider recovery alongside practical factors such as reagent consumption, process time, impurity dissolution, equipment requirements and operating conditions.
Heap leaching can offer a practical treatment route for suitable ores, but successful performance depends on much more than the leach chemistry.
METS can support heap leach projects by reviewing factors such as:
Our team has experience in the design and operation of heap leach systems for projects in different locations and operating environments.
Pressure leaching uses elevated pressure and temperature to increase reaction rates or treat materials that do not respond adequately under atmospheric conditions.
METS can assist with testwork interpretation, process selection, flowsheet development and the assessment of pressure leach operating requirements.
Key considerations may include:
After leaching, the metal-bearing solution may contain impurities that affect downstream recovery or final product quality.
METS can develop and assess purification stages such as:
The purification process is selected according to the target metal, impurity profile and required product specification.
Solvent extraction separates and concentrates selected metals from a solution using an organic extractant.
METS can support the development, design and optimisation of solvent extraction circuits, including consideration of:
Electrowinning recovers dissolved metals by passing an electric current through the purified solution.
METS can assist with electrowinning circuit evaluation and design, including:
Precipitation and crystallisation are used to recover metals or produce specific saleable compounds from solution.
METS can help determine suitable operating conditions and assess the effect of solution composition on product recovery, purity and handling characteristics.
Effective separation of solids and liquids is essential throughout many hydrometallurgical circuits.
Our support may cover:
These stages can have a significant effect on metal losses, water use and downstream process stability.
A successful hydrometallurgical flowsheet must balance recovery with operability, safety and commercial performance.
METS Engineering can combine testwork results, process knowledge and modelling to develop a flowsheet suited to the project’s feed material and objectives.
Process development may include:
Recommendations are clearly communicated so clients can understand the technical basis, key assumptions and remaining areas of uncertainty.
During early project development, METS can help assess whether a proposed hydrometallurgical route is technically suitable and identify the testwork required to improve confidence.
This helps clients avoid committing to a process before the main technical risks have been investigated.
METS provides hydrometallurgical input for conceptual, scoping, prefeasibility and feasibility studies.
Our work can support flowsheet selection, design criteria, equipment requirements, recovery estimates and capital and operating cost development.
Pilot testing can provide greater confidence in the proposed process and identify issues that may not be apparent during smaller laboratory tests.
METS can assist with pilot program planning, supervision, result interpretation and the translation of findings into the project design.
During commissioning, METS can help assess plant performance, resolve process issues and establish stable operating conditions.
For existing plants, our consultants can investigate recovery losses, capacity limitations, reagent consumption, solution chemistry and product quality concerns.
METS Engineering has hydrometallurgical experience across a range of commodities and products, including:
Each commodity presents different extraction, purification and recovery challenges. Our approach is based on the mineralogy, chemistry and project-specific requirements rather than applying a standard process.
Operational issues are not always caused by a single piece of equipment. They may result from changing feed characteristics, interactions between process stages or operating conditions that have moved away from the original design basis.
METS can review the complete circuit to identify the factors limiting performance.
An operational review may examine:
The outcome is a practical set of recommendations prioritised according to potential benefit, technical risk and ease of implementation.
METS Engineering is an independent metallurgical consultancy based in Perth, supporting resource projects throughout Australia and internationally.
Clients choose METS for:
We work to understand the specific needs of each client and develop solutions that reflect the project’s technical, operational and commercial priorities.
Whether you are assessing a new extraction process, developing a hydrometallurgical flowsheet or improving an operating plant, METS Engineering can provide specialist support.
Contact our team to discuss your project, technical challenges and the next steps required to improve process confidence and performance.