Hydrometallurgical Processing of Base Metal Sulphides

Dear Colleagues,

Base metals (and any associated PGMs and/or PMs) are generally recovered from sulphide concentrates in the initial stage using pyrometallurgical processing. However, as the grade and quality of sulphide resources continue to decline, it is becoming harder to generate feed materials that are suitable for smelting without incurring penalties. Apart from being employed for sulphide mattes, hydrometallurgical processes provide options for materials that are not amenable to smelting due to their low grade and/or impurity levels. Over the years, a vast range of these process technologies has been studied and, the technology has been commercially applied in a number of instances. The metal extraction step is typically characterized by approaches that range from pressure to atmospheric leaching in reactors, to leaching in vats or heaps (both chemical and biological) to in situ recovery.

This Special Issue invites contributions that examine hydrometallurgical processing technologies suitable for base metal sulphides and the various conventional steps from extraction to solution purification, metal concentration, and the recovery of the metal values. However, for some technologies, the focus instead is upon the removal of impurities and/or the enhancement of concentrate grade. Submissions on these subjects will enhance the expected diversity of this Special Issue. For the same reason, given that the processing of base metal sulphides may be required to enable the recovery of precious metals and/or platinum-group metals, relevant papers on these topics are also welcome.

Dr. Robbie McDonald
Guest Editor

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