Solvometallurgy: An Emerging Branch of Extractive Metallurgy

This position paper introduces the reader to the concept of solvometallurgy, the term used to describe the extraction of metals from ores, industrial process residues, production scrap, and urban waste using non-aqueous solutions. Here, non-aqueous is not used to imply anhydrous, but rather a low water content. The unit operations are as follows: solvent leaching; separation of the residue; purification of the leach solution by non-aqueous solvent extraction or non-aqueous ion exchange; and metal recovery by precipitation or electrolysis in non-aqueous electrolytes. Solvometallurgy is similar to hydrometallurgy in that both the branches of extractive metallurgy use low-temperature processes, but with solvometallurgy, there is no discrete water phase. Both branches use organic or inorganic solvents (excluding water in the case of solvometallurgy). However, for solvometallurgical processes to be sustainable, they must be based on green solvents, which means that all toxic or environmentally harmful solvents must be avoided. Solvometallurgy is complementary to pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, but this new approach offers several advantages. First, the consumption of water is very limited, and so the generation of wastewater can be avoided. Second, the leaching and solvent extraction can be combined to form a single step, resulting in more simplified process flow sheets. Third, solvent leaching is often more selective than leaching with acidic aqueous solutions, leading to reduced acid consumption and fewer purification steps. Fourth, solvometallurgy is useful for the treatment of ores rich in soluble silica (e.g., eudialyte) because no silica gel is formed. In short, solvometallurgy is in a position to help develop the near-zero-waste metallurgical processes, and with levels of energy consumption that are much lower than those with the high-temperature processes. The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of this emerging branch of extractive metallurgy is still low (TRL = 3–4), which is a disadvantage for short-term implementation, but offers a great opportunity for further research, development, and innovation.