Hydrometallurgy

BASF’s hydrometallurgical product offering includes solvent extractants, leaching aids and purification clays, which are complemented by ancillary reagents such as antiscalants, descalants and dispersants.

At the core of BASF's hydrometallurgical offer is an extensive range of LIX^® oxime extractants that are widely used in the purification of copper and nickel leach solutions. Oxime formulations can be tailored to meet individual customer requirements and are suitable for a wide range of leach solutions. Solvent extraction of valuable anionic species like uranium and vanadium is accomplished with the BASF range of Alamine^® and Aliquat^® tertiary and quaternary amines.

Lupromin^® clays are used to remove surface-active compounds from in-process copper and nickel organic streams throughout the solvent extraction process.

The ever-increasing demand for minerals and metals poses major challenges for the mining industry, especially when faced with depleting ore grades and more complex ore mineralogy. The industry is therefore in need of new sustainable extraction techniques. To meet these challenges, BASF has developed LixTRA™, novel leaching technology for copper heap and dump leach processes. LixTRA™ enables the mine to increase metal recovery and kinetic rate of recovery in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner.

Our offer includes products and solutions along with expert advice and technical support, which is complimented by extensive research and development capabilities. BASF’s technical back-up is provided on a global, regional and local basis with dedicated Hydrometallurgical technical and research laboratories located within key copper mining regions; Tucson (US) and Antofagasta (Chile).