BASF partners with HydroGEOPHYSICS Consulting to improve secondary recovery of copper through new mining technology

Global chemicals company BASF and HydroGEOPHYSICS Inc. (HGI), a leading provider of geophysical services to the mining industry, have announced an exclusive partnership to combine expertise in mineral processing, hydrometallurgy and deep well injection.

The collaboration aims to optimize copper extraction in the mining industry by leveraging HGI's geophysical technology to identify areas of the ore stockpile that currently have poor recovery rates, and will involve the design and implementation of a deep well injection program, and combined with BASF's new LixTRA leaching aid to facilitate copper mining. Copper mining volumes increased significantly.
Demand for new mines is strong as copper demand increases from traditional end-user markets and the transition to green energy. However, challenges such as declining ore grades, rising costs and ESG (environmental, social and governance) responsibilities limit mid- to long-term mine supply, resulting in huge supply shortages looming.

The heap leach process involves piling low-grade ore on a liner and then dripping a leach agent (usually acid) onto the pile to dissolve the copper into the solution, providing a cost-effective method for copper extraction. However, heap inhomogeneity often results in areas of ore compaction and poor leachant penetration, resulting in poor metal recovery.

HGI uses state-of-the-art geophysical techniques to characterize the structural components of the pile, enabling the design, operation and monitoring of targeted infiltrant injection wells. By adding BASF's LixTRA leaching aid, greater ore-leach agent contact can be achieved, ultimately leading to higher copper solubility and higher metal recovery. Preliminary results at customer sites indicate a 20% improvement in copper recovery during the trial, prompting further larger-scale testing to quantify the benefits.

"Technological advancement is vital if the industry is to meet projected future copper demand. Leverage HGI's expertise to identify areas of poor heap leach performance and then target these areas with deep well technology and BASF's LixTRA reagent, this is a great example of how partnerships can drive sustainable process improvements in the mining industry. " said Caren Hoffman, Vice President Mining Solutions at BASF.

Brian Cubbage, HGI Executive Vice President of Operations, added: "Improving copper recovery in a sustainable and safe manner is a key focus for most of the mines HGI works with. Demand for copper is growing and continuing, particularly in the green economy. Leveraging HGI's expertise in locating and improving copper recovery in underperforming areas of the heap leach pad, and applying BASF's LixTRA reagent through our injection program, significantly improved copper recovery."