Hydrometallurgy and

Electrolytic Processes
Metagross: Bello; Cabading; Pilapil; Tan

Hydrometallurgy
A branch of extractive metallurgy
which deals with the processes involving
aqueous solutions to extract metals from
ores. [1]
It is divided into three areas:
- Leaching
- Solution concentration and purification
- Metal (compound) recovery

Three Areas under Hydrometallurgy

1. Leaching
Involves the treatment of mineral
materials,specifically oxidized
containing desirable metals using
acidic or basic solutions to dissolve
soluble elements and concentrate
in an enriched solution. [2]

Aqua Regia is a
highly corrosive acid
mixture of nitric and
hydrochloric acid
which will dissolve
most metals
including gold,
platinum and
palladium.
International Precious
Metals Institute
https://www.youtube.com/wa
tch?v=4J4nLdmcZzw

Three Areas under Hydrometallurgy

2. Solution concentration and Purification
can be done in different ways:
[i.] Precipitation
[ii.] Cementation
[iii.] Solvent Extraction
[iv.] Ion exchange
[v.] Gas reduction
[vi.] Electrowinning

Three Areas under Hydrometallurgy

3. Metal Compound Recovery
- involves the process of refining extracted metals for commercial
use
-

involves Electrolytic process

involves metallurgical processes that take place in some form
of electrolytic cell

Metal Recovery involving Electrolytic processes

-

Electrowinning
- an electrolysis process used to recover metals in aqueous
solution, usually as the result of an ore having undergone one or
more hydrometallurgical processes.
-

The metal of interest is plated onto a cathode, while an anode is

composed of an inert electrical conductor.

Metal Recovery involving Electrolytic processes

-

Electrorefining
- used to dissolve an impure
metallic anode (typically from a
smelting process) and produce a
high purity cathode.
Fused salt electrolysis
- another electrometallurgical process whereby the valuable metal
is dissolved into a molten salt, which acts as the electrolyte, and
the valuable metal collects on the cathode of the cell. [3]

Sources:
[1] Brent, H.., "Metallurgy, Survey" in Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 2000,
Wiley-VCH, Weinheim. doi:10.1002/0471238961.1921182208091911.a01
[2] Estefani, Guillermo. "What Is Metallurgical Leaching?". Artinaid. N.p., 2013. Web. 29 Jan.
2016.
[3] "Extractive Metallurgy". Boundless (2015): n. pag. Web. 29 Jan. 2016.

How to Refine Precious Metals- Hydrometallurgy: Part 2 Concentration and Purification by

International Precious Metals Institute https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFzBAT6N338
How to Refine Precious Metals - Precipitation: Hydrometallurgy Part 3 by International Precious
Metals Institute https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lfTtP6llT8
How to Refine Precious Metals - Electrolysis: Hydrometallurgy Part 4 by International Precious
Metals Institute https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAkWMdrLXmo