ALS offers a full range of atmospheric acid and alkaline leaching at the Hydrometallurgical Centre of Excellence (HCE). Services covering basic simple amenability leach tests, progressing to scoping studies on master composites, right through to bankable feasibility studies encompassing comprehensive leach optimisation, process validation and variability studies.
Atmospheric leaching covers a range of apparatus set-ups and test conditions, and given the relative ease of this form of leaching, ALS can accommodate just about any scenario, as follows:
An atmospheric Leach Skid (cascade circuit with up to seven stages including ferric precipitation; volume ~74 – 134 L/stage; Hastelloy agitated steel tanks; 95 to 100ºC operation) is also available for continuous processing.
In addition to the above, all the generic pre and post laboratory tasks such as feed characterisation, particle size, rheology and representative sampling, monitoring, handling and dispatch, are available.
We understand that metallurgical testwork is not a one size fits all or a pick off a menu proposition, and so we are happy to help walk you through the process. Or you might know exactly what you want and just need some clarifications.
No problem. Please contact us for further details.
Well that depends on the type of sample material, ore or concentrate and the extent of the program, but some rough guidelines are as follows:
Generally, yes. ALS has facilities and procedures to treat fibrous and radioactive samples. Surcharges do apply, however, to cover safety equipment, monitoring and decontamination.
ALS is a quarantine approved premises and treats many samples of oversea origin. Strict regulatory requirements are in needed around packaging and paperwork, however. ALS can advise you on these requirements.
Yes, ALS can filter your plant slurry samples as required.
Generally, no. Insurance and safety protocols typically prevent renting laboratory space and this is not part of ALS's business model. Clients are able to visit and witness testwork but this is to observe only. Typically, clients may attend on 24/7 piloting campaigns and interact with senior staff members for technical and operational issues..
Yes, clients are always welcome to visit our facilities and observe samples or tests in progress. Inductions are required and other rules may apply to visitors.
Yes, if a testwork program is in progress, ALS will happily dispatch testwork products and feed samples to vendors, third party laboratories, and customers as required. Fees apply.
Absolutely. Generally, however, piloting testwork follows a successful bench testwork program where the proposed process flowsheet has been selected. Continuous testwork will prove the viability of the selected flowsheet and confirm recycle streams and overall circuit kinetics which is not possible from only batch or bench scale tests.
No, as it is not our core business and would put us in direct competition with many of our clients. We can, however, put you in contact with a range of reputable engineering providers and consultants.
Leach testwork rarely happens in isolation and typically many other processes are required pre and post leaching testwork, as follows: Sample Characterization, Mineralogy, rheology, solid liquid separation including flocculation and settling, impurity removal, Iron control chemistry, tailings management, materials of construction selection testwork (corrosion coupons) preliminary piloting and fully integrated piloting.
Click on the above links or contact us for further information. We can integrate a full program for you if required.