Towards a mechanistic understanding of electrokinetic in-situ leaching

The Challenge

Electrokinetic In Situ Recovery (EK-ISR) has the potential to become a transformative mining technology through eliminating many of the problems threatening the industry’s social license to operate. Upscaling and commercialisation of the technology need to be underpinned by a refined scientific understanding of the process.

Key Findings

This work provided significant insights into the physical and geochemical processes by which EK-ISR of metals is controlled. Gold extraction efficiency varied significantly among tested ore types, with iron-oxide copper gold deposits relatively amenable to gold recovery while extraction was more challenging from sulfide-rich ores. Favourable copper recoveries were obtained for all ore materials tested. Life cycle assessment indicates EK-ISR would deliver sustainability benefits with respect to both emissions and land use.

Benefits to WA

EK-ISR will enable extraction of metals from a wide range of low-permeability media such as intact ore, clays and tailings without the need for excavation. This will provide access to otherwise stranded Western Australian assets that can’t be mined economically with conventional mining technologies, while reducing the environmental impact of mining.

Research Output DOI:

10.71342/428543721325