Dundee Sustainable Technologies has developed proprietary hydrometallurgical processes for the extraction of base and precious metals from ores, concentrates and tailings, which cannot be exploited with conventional processes because of metallurgical or environmental issues.
The broad approach used is based on chlorination, either with hydrochloric acid or elemental halogens, chlorine, bromine or a mixture of both.
A closed-loop approach of liquids and gases is also a feature of Dundee Sustainable Technologies technology along with the production of inert and insoluble solids after treatment.
The selection of chlorination is the consequence of the fast rate of reaction, at atmospheric pressure and relatively low temperature of the chlorinating agents with a great variety of minerals.
State of the art low price materials rendered possible the construction and operation of equipment without significant corrosion problems.