The successful dissolution of the valuable metal components of a solid
phase is often a basic requirement for a successful hydrometallurgical
treatment process. Sulphide concentrates are often an intermediate
product in the production of refined metals. These concentrates need to
be further processed to realise the contained metal values in a useful form.
Pyrometallurgical techniques have tended to dominate, at least the initial
treatment of metal sulphide concentrates. The technology described,
Activox, has been developed specifically for the hydrometallurgical
treatment of these sulphide mineral concentrates, in particular those
containing copper, nickel or gold. The Activox dissolution technology
coupled with the use of existing, or newly developed, downstream
processing techniques, offers alternative processing options for the
recovery of full value, saleable metal products. The technology is
suitable for application down to relatively small scales opening up the
opportunity for on-site production of metals even at modest scale mining
Operations.