Hydromet processing
The full value of Kabanga as a key source of new Class 1 nickel will be unlocked by low energy-intensity processing technology.
Lifezone’s hydrometallurgical (“hydromet”) processing technology is a transformational method currently being installed at the Sedibelo platinum project in South Africa.
How does it work?
It eliminates the carbon intense smelting phase from nickel refining1:
- Leaching metallic concentrates with liquid solvents
- Process replaces fire and smoke with water and clean air
- Has the potential to reduce electricity consumption
- Eliminates SO2 emissions
- Reduction in CO2 equivalent emissions
By adopting hydromet technology for processing nickel concentrate, Kabanga’s environmental footprint is expected to outperform industry baselines1
Hydromet Technology
Ore from the mining operation is put through successive steps to upgrade, purify and separate value metals into refined products
Explore the interactive graphic to learn more about the Kabanga metals recovery and refining circuit
Ore beneficiated to produce mineral concentrate; remove tailings for storage, backfill*
*Backfill – material used to fill the cavities (i.e., stopes) created by underground mining
Concentrate leached under pressure to produce base metals Pregnant Leach Solution with Ni, Cu, Co and remove pressure leach residue for storage, backfill; sale or precious metals recovery, if present
Limestone added to produce neutralised Pregnant Leach Solution; free acid removed to form gypsum for storage, backfill, sale
*Pregnant Leach Solution
Neutralized Pregnant Leach Solution subjected to solvent extraction and electrowinning; produces LME Grade A copper metal cathode product and copper-free Pregnant Leach Solution
Copper-free Pregnant Leach Solution neutralised with limestone to remove iron as oxide product for storage, backfill, sale and produce iron-free Pregnant Leach Solution
Iron-free Pregnant Leach Solution treated to produce intermediate nickel-cobalt hydroxide concentrate; remove water and acid to recycle into process
Nickel-cobalt hydroxide re-leached; subjected to solvent extraction; electrowinning to produce LME Grade cobalt metal rounds product and cobalt-free Pregnant Leach Solution
Cobalt-free Pregnant Leach Solution subjected to solvent extraction; electrowinning to produce LME Grade nickel cathode
Ore beneficiated to produce mineral concentrate; remove tailings for storage, backfill*
*Backfill – material used to fill the cavities (i.e., stopes) created by underground mining
Concentrate leached under pressure to produce base metals Pregnant Leach Solution with Ni, Cu, Co and remove pressure leach residue for storage, backfill; sale or precious metals recovery, if present
Limestone added to produce neutralised Pregnant Leach Solution; free acid removed to form gypsum for storage, backfill, sale
*Pregnant Leach Solution
Neutralized Pregnant Leach Solution subjected to solvent extraction and electrowinning; produces LME Grade A copper metal cathode product and copper-free Pregnant Leach Solution
Copper-free Pregnant Leach Solution neutralised with limestone to remove iron as oxide product for storage, backfill, sale and produce iron-free Pregnant Leach Solution
Iron-free Pregnant Leach Solution treated to produce intermediate nickel-cobalt hydroxide concentrate; remove water and acid to recycle into process
Nickel-cobalt hydroxide re-leached; subjected to solvent extraction; electrowinning to produce LME Grade cobalt metal rounds product and cobalt-free Pregnant Leach Solution
Cobalt-free Pregnant Leach Solution subjected to solvent extraction; electrowinning to produce LME Grade nickel cathode
Value creation
Hydromet carries significant potential for cost and sustainability advantages and will keep the process of nickel concentrate production in-country.
This will drive greater value creation, much of which will remain in the host country.
No requirement to export concentrate long distances to European or Asian smelters and refineries for further processing, transforming our carbon footprint.
Our technology will:
- Roll out global access to a portfolio of over 100 patents across the world’s battery and hydrogen economies.
- A market changing innovation, set to expand into recycling of green energy metals and EV waste.
Hydromet potential
Lifezone is poised to take advantage of a projected long-term supply deficit in nickel and surging demand from battery manufacturers.
Hydromet technology provides cleaner1 metals processing, supporting sustainability and the principles of ESG.
Current nickel supply is from highly polluting projects which use carbon intensive smelting processes.