Tag Archives: Glycine Leaching Technology

Draslovka’s glycine leaching tech to be tested on gold, nickel tailings at Windarra

Base metals, Environmental, Mine operation news, Mineral processing, Mining services, Precious metals, Sustainable mining, , , , , , , , ,

Draslovka a.s. subsidiary Encore Minerals, a company established with the specific aim of progressing waste to value opportunities, has entered into an agreement with Poseidon Nickel to retreat and monetise gold and nickel tailings in Western Australia.

Draslovka’s proprietary Glycine Leaching Technology (GLT), comprising the GlyCat™ process for precious metals and GlyLeach™ process for base metals, will be an enabler for the extraction of
realisable value from Poseidon’s gold and nickel tailings at its Windarra property and potentially from a third-party tailings resource at nearby Lancefield (the Windarra Tailings project), Draslovka says.

Previous metallurgical test work for the Windarra Tailings project had shown potential improvement in recoveries and costs for the site’s gold resources. The test work also established the potential for a technical, economically viable and low-intensity process for recovery of nickel from nickel tailings. A previous feasibility study for the gold resource using conventional cyanidation showed net operating cash flow of A$30.6 million ($19.9 million), a net present value (8% discount) of A$21.7 million and an internal rate of return of 50.6%, assuming a gold price of A$2,500/oz.

The next step is to undertake a technical program to optimise the project with both the gold and nickel resources, which will lead to an updated feasibility study and a final investment decision. If
successful, the project will lead to the construction of the first GLT processing plant for tailings.

Ivor Bryan, Chief Technology Officer of Draslovka Mining Process Solutions, said: “We are excited to play an integral role in enabling the retreatment of the gold and nickel tailings at the Windarra Tailings project by supplying GLT, which has been developed to extract precious and base metals.

“GLT is revolutionary for the mining industry. It has the potential to save mining companies billions of dollars by significantly reducing processing costs, enhancing a mine’s sustainability profile, extending mine life by lowering the cut-off grade and unlocking value hidden in a mine’s tailings. I believe the results at Windarra will be a powerful example of how GLT is a simple yet very effective means to retreat and monetise tailings.”

Cyanide and glycine leaching leader, Draslovka, looks to bring caustic soda production in house

Environmental, Mineral processing, Precious metals, , , , , , , ,

Draslovka a.s. says it is in advanced discussions with technology-driven producers of caustic and chlor-alkali derivatives, including spolchemie, and several other international businesses with an aim of partnering with a producer to build a production facility at the company’s existing site in Memphis, Tennessee, using existing plant infrastructure.

The facility will apply the latest global production technologies to capture sustainability and economic benefits for all stakeholders, according to Draslovka.

Caustic soda is used in the production of Glycine Leaching Technology (GLT), Draslovka’s proprietary innovative leaching solution that, it says, offers substantive cost and sustainability benefits in the process of leaching metals from certain ores (including gold, nickel, cobalt and copper). Caustic soda is also used to produce sodium cyanide, used by the majority of the gold industry for processing.

By building and operating a caustic soda facility in partnership with an internationally-recognised specialist partner in the chlor-alkali value chain, Draslovka seeks to produce caustic soda in the most financially and energy-efficient manner to secure significant sustainability benefits compared with a number of current legacy producers, it says. As the market dynamics of caustic soda pricing can be volatile and US-sourced caustic soda is significantly more expensive than caustic soda from Asia and Australia, the move will allow Draslovka to significantly reduce its costs and improve competitive power. Own production will also give the company enhanced control of its supply chain.

The discussions with partners on expanding into caustic soda production and the chlor-alkali value chain are in line with Draslovka’s strategy of expansion and investment in sustainable processes and solutions, it says. The Memphis plant produces the majority of Draslovka’s mining solutions products and near-term production of GLT is being considered.

Pavel Bruzek, Chief Executive Officer of Draslovka, said: “These discussions are in line with our strategy of offering high-quality, cost-effective and sustainable mining solutions to our valued customers. We always strive to find the most economic supply of ingredients, hence we have begun discussions with several caustic soda manufacturers to partner and produce this integral ingredient. Own production will be a buffer against the macro factors of today, such as geopolitics, inflation and supply chain bottlenecks, as well as the fundamental disconnect between the US and the rest of the world’s caustic soda pricing. Our clients will have peace of mind they are accessing the full range of our sodium cyanide, GLT solutions and other mining products in a timely manner and at advantageous market prices.”

James Stockbridge, Director of Mining Process Solutions, Draslovka, said: “I am excited that the Memphis plant is being considered for the expansion into the production of caustic soda. Caustic soda price in the US is creating major headwinds to our competitive power in the international markets. Draslovka has invested heavily in the technology and process improvement at the Memphis facility since acquiring it in 2021 and we are committed to the area and our community in Memphis. We have a proud history and expertise, and the additional new facilities will allow us to expand our pool of local staff and affirm our leading position in the local business community.”