The Elements of Innovation Discovered
The Elements of Innovation Discovered
EnviroMetal ramps up pilot of environmentally benign solution Metal Tech News - Metal Tech News - October 25, 2023
During testing carried out in 2020, EnviroMetal Technologies recovered 94% of the gold from a two-metric-ton sample at Seabridge Gold's 3 Aces project in Canada's Yukon.
EnviroMetal's pilot plant has two circuits that are each capable of processing 125 kg of gold concentrates or ores per batch.
EnviroMetal Technologies Inc. is ramping up the commissioning of a pilot plant to demonstrate the commercial viability of a technology that offers a more environmentally sound alternative to cyanide for leaching gold from ore, concentrates, and recycled electronics.
EnviroMetal's innovative gold recovery technology uses a blend of five ingredients that individually are FDA approved for human consumption but together can dissolve gold. Once in solution, the gold can be recovered with a diamond-based electrochemical process developed by the British Columbia-based company.
While mining companies have been using cyanide to recover gold for more than 130 years, and have established methods to safely use and destroy this gold-dissolving chemical, the idea of cyanide use is often a concern for residents living near gold mining operations.
The benign gold-dissolving advantages by EnviroMetal offer an alternative for gold mining companies seeking to boost their environmental, social, and governance credentials.
In side-by-side tests carried out by world-leading testing and inspection firm SGS in 2021, the EnviroMetal formula recovered more gold from high-grade material in five hours than cyanide did in 30 hours.
This lab-scale testing indicates that the ESG advantages that come with using the EnviroMetal formula do not come at the expense of gold recoveries.
EnviroMetal says its gold recovery process incorporates straightforward steps to produce precious metal doré as a final product without the need for additional downstream processing and reagent destruction systems typically associated with cyanidation processes.
This technology is designed to be used as a bolt-on solution for mining operations producing gravity or flotation gold concentrates, or as a standalone alternative for whole ore processing.
EnviroMetal is now ready for pilot-scale testing of its proprietary electrochemical gold recovery process at the company's office and lab in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Partially funded by a C$1.7 million (US$1.3 million) grant from Canada's Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator, the pilot plant will support ongoing metallurgical process optimization programs for clients interested in adopting EnviroMetal's gold recovery process.
Upon the late-2022 announcement of the grant, EnviroMetal Technologies President and CEO Wayne Moorhouse said the company was excited that MICA "recognized the potential of EnviroMetal's technology to displace existing gold recovery technologies, and chose to contribute funding for the next phase of our technology commercialization."
The pilot plant has two circuits that are each capable of processing 125 kilograms (275 pounds) of gold concentrates or ores per batch. EnviroMetal says these circuits can be operated independently or together for 250 kg (550 lb) samples.
In addition to optimization programs for potential clients, the pilot stage testing will include research initiatives to reduce operating costs and broaden the applicability of the EnviroMetal process.
The company anticipates commencement of bulk sample tests on client material in the coming weeks.
With more than 16 years of covering mining, Shane is renowned for his insights and and in-depth analysis of mining, mineral exploration and technology metals.
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