Leaching Process

There are various options for mineral leaching. To determine the best options proper knowledge about the ore body and its composition is required. Once that is provided the customized leaching system is able to produce a mineral bearing solution of extremely high concentration.  Peak performance leaching.

Leaching without context is impossible. Without knowing the type of ore body, the particle size and distribution of the targeted minerals, the potentially interfering materials within the ore body and the general content of the target mineral, no efficient leaching will take place. Traditional miners often experience that the discrepancy between lab tested overall content and actual extraction is extremely high. This is often the case if leaching is applied to unfit material. In Southeast Asia this mostly happens with incompetent heap leaching or leaching facilities that process insufficiently pre concentrated materials. Many problems arise from that. The milling level might not be sufficient hence the leaching agent has no chance of doing its job. Hence the problem is rarely chemically induces but rather of mechanically. The material might also contain components that neutralize the leaching agents efficiency, hence the overall performance drops accordingly. Issues like that are easily prevented by consulting with our experts that will make sure that leaching is applied to the correct material, form, fineness and preparation grade. Peak leaching performance is the result. 

Leaching Context

In the public eye, leaching is associated with Cyanide. And even though Cyanide can do great harm when handled incompetently, it can be efficient and safe when handled properly.  Anyhow, Cyanide remains an efficient agent for mineral leaching processes, especially Gold. Yet there are various alternatives with lesser hazardous potential allowing the same efficiency.  Cyanide remains a good option when the operator follows the appropriate Standard Operation Procedures. It ensures safety for the environment and operators. 

Ultra Leaching

At SECA we refer to leaching as Ultra Leaching if the following 5 prerequisites are met and prepared properly:
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1. In depths knowledge about material to be leached.
2. Customization of the leaching system / method and respective agents.
3. Integration of proper pre-treatment and pre-concentration steps of the material prior to leaching.
4. Combination of lab data with trial batch processing results. 
5. Proper tailing management post-leaching. 

​Once these five prerequisites are met and handled by our experts, the leaching will achieve outstanding efficiency continuously.
The difference in efficiency compared to traditional leaching facilities justifies the term Ultra Leaching.