THE SUPERINTENDENT OF METALLURGY AT MINERA TRES VALLES SHOWCASES SALT
LEACHING TECHNIQUE AT THE SOLVAY TECHNICAL SEMINAR

Eduardo Hasan, Superintendent of Metallurgy at Minera Tres Valles, presented on the practice of leaching in a chloride medium. This innovative technique, developed by the Tres Valles R & D team, improves the production process by decreasing sulfuric acid consumption and shortening the copper recovery cycle.

Why was Minera Tres Valles invited to participate in the 21st Solvay Technical Seminar?

Solvay is a recognized supplier of organic extraction reagents used in the mining industry. We became acquainted with Solvay at the CopperClor 2018 Congress, in which they attended our presentation on salt leaching. They wanted to have this innovative method showcased at their seminar, so we were invited to share our knowledge on the subject.

How does participating in this type of technical seminar aid the development of new processes in the mining industry?

The main advantage is the exposure to different processes and techniques, and the realization that there are common problems faced by many different companies. Sometimes you discover new solutions or methods used by one company that can be applied to a diverse range of projects.

Does the experience of Minera Tres Valles in the development of salt leaching serve as an example for other companies?

There are very few mining companies that have shared this type of experience with competitors or suppliers, so in this sense we are a leading example. Sharing our experience publicly also helps shift the paradigm that this type of innovation can only be achieved through expensive studies developed by consultants and external laboratories.