Dynatec Metallurgical Technologies

The Metallurgical Technologies Division of Dynatec is a recognized leader in pressure hydrometallurgy with almost 50 years experience in developing and commercializing hydrometallurgical technologies for the treatment and recovery of nonferrous metals. Dynatec has developed process technologies to recover nickel, cobalt, copper, platinum group metals (PGMs), and zinc by the application of acid pressure leaching.

Nickel-copper mattes, nickel laterite ores, and mixed nickel-cobalt sulphide precipitates are several examples of the range of feed materials commercially processed utilizing Dynatec acid pressure leaching. Seven commercial plants utilize Dynatec technology for the treatment of nickel-copper mattes containing PGMs, whereby the base metals are sequentially and effectively dissolved, yielding a high grade PGM residue for refining. The base metals dissolved in the acid pressure leach process can be recovered in a number of forms. Nickel is recovered as metal, either as powder by hydrogen reduction, or as cathode by electrowinning, or as hydrated nickel sulphate by crystallization. Copper is recovered as cathode, hydrated mixed nickel-copper sulphate, or as a high grade copper sulphide residue. Cobalt is recovered in pure forms as for nickel, or isolated as a saleable intermediate sulphide or hydroxide precipitate, depending on quantities.


Mini-Autoclaves at Dynatec

Acid pressure leaching of nickeliferous laterite ores has been studied at Dynatec's research and process development facilities over the past thirty years. Laterite ores are becoming an increasingly important source of nickel and cobalt in the latter part of this decade. The sole commercial plant using high temperature, high pressure acid leaching to date, located in Moa, Cuba, has been in continuous operation since 1960, and currently exports its product as mixed nickel cobalt sulphide precipitate to Corefco's refining complex at Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. Several new commercial plants employing acid pressure leaching of lateritic nickel ore are scheduled for startup in 1998. The largest of these will be using Dynatec process technology, for acid leaching of the ore, leaching of a sulphide intermediate, and recovery of cobalt, as well as nickel, by hydrogen reduction.

Flow-Sheet: You can read about Dynatec's Nickel Laterite Acid Leach Process or the Acid Matte Leach Process. Or you can peruse information about nickel and cobalt or copper, including history and end uses.