Creative chemistry to optimise ore extraction by diagnostic leaching

Improvements to diagnostic tools used by the industry will enhance the characterisation and classification of ore types and determine the best process to extract metals from each of them. This work has the significant support of industry and focuses on chemical diagnostic leach methods to determine the complex forms and associations of gold and copper mineral deposits. Dr Laura Kuhar, from CSIRO’s Minerals Down Under Flagship, says interest in the technology is very strong, reflecting the importance of accurate diagnostics when deciding, designing and optimising ore extraction systems. In turn, these have implications when designing plants or optimising existing extraction facilities. (more…)