Introduction

Hydrometallurgy is a cornerstone of modern mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, enabling the efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective recovery of valuable metals from ores, concentrates, and recycled materials. With increasing global demand for critical metals, hydrometallurgical techniques are becoming essential for supporting green mining, circular economy strategies, and low-carbon metal production.

Hydrometallurgy Fundamentals Training Course is designed to bridge theory with industrial application, focusing on process optimization, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and plant-scale operations. Participants will gain hands-on understanding of modern hydrometallurgical flowsheets used in battery metals processing, copper heap leaching, gold cyanidation alternatives, and e-waste recycling technologies. The course emphasizes sustainability, digital metallurgical modeling, ESG compliance, and process intensification, preparing professionals to contribute effectively to next-generation mineral processing industries.

Programme Curriculum

Hydrometallurgy Fundamentals Training Course

Introduction

Course Duration

5 days

Course Objectives

Understand hydrometallurgical process fundamentals and metal recovery pathways
Apply leaching kinetics and thermodynamic principles in process design
Analyze acid and alkaline leaching systems for base and critical metals
Evaluate heap leaching and in-situ leaching technologies
Master solvent extraction and electrowinning (EW) operations
Develop skills in ion exchange and adsorption technologies
Optimize copper, nickel, cobalt, and lithium recovery circuits
Understand battery recycling and urban mining hydrometallurgy
Interpret Eh-pH diagrams for metal stability prediction
Design flowsheets for sustainable metal extraction processes
Improve process efficiency through reagent and energy optimization
Apply ESG-driven sustainable mining and green metallurgy principles
Integrate digital process simulation and metallurgical data analytics

Target Audience

Metallurgical engineers and process engineers
Mining engineers and mineral processing professionals
Chemical engineers in extractive industries
Graduate students in metallurgy and materials science
Plant operators and hydrometallurgy technicians
R&D professionals in battery recycling and critical metals
Environmental and sustainability engineers in mining sector
Technical consultants in mineral processing and metallurgy

Course Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Hydrometallurgy & Metal Extraction Systems

Overview of hydrometallurgical vs pyrometallurgical routes
Metal dissolution mechanisms and aqueous chemistry
Role of reagents-acids, bases, oxidants, reductants
Process flow in modern metal extraction plants
Industrial applications in mining and recycling
Case Study: Copper extraction from oxide ores using acid leaching in Chile operations

Module 2: Thermodynamics & Eh-pH Diagrams

Fundamentals of Gibbs free energy in metal dissolution
Construction and interpretation of Pourbaix diagrams
Metal stability regions in aqueous systems
Oxidation-reduction potential control strategies
Prediction of corrosion and passivation behavior
Case Study: Gold stability and cyanide leaching optimization using Eh-pH control

Module 3: Leaching Technologies & Reaction Kinetics

Acid, alkaline, and bioleaching mechanisms
Shrinking core model and diffusion control
Temperature and pressure effects on leaching rate
Reagent concentration optimization
Reactor design for leaching systems
Case Study: Nickel laterite high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) plant

Module 4: Heap Leaching & In-Situ Recovery

Heap construction and irrigation systems
Percolation and solution flow dynamics
Microbial-assisted leaching applications
Solution collection and pregnant leach solution (PLS) management
Environmental containment strategies
Case Study: Gold heap leaching operations in Nevada mining projects

Module 5: Solid-Liquid Separation & Purification

Thickening, filtration, and clarification techniques
Impurity removal strategies
pH adjustment and precipitation reactions
Coagulation and flocculation processes
Process water recycling systems
Case Study: Iron removal in copper solvent extraction circuits

Module 6: Solvent Extraction (SX) & Ion Exchange

Organic and aqueous phase chemistry
Selective metal separation principles
Mixer-settler and column design
Resin selection and regeneration in ion exchange
Stripping and loading cycles
Case Study: Copper SX-EW plant operations in Zambia

Module 7: Electrowinning & Electrometallurgy

Electrochemical deposition fundamentals
Cathode and anode reactions
Current efficiency and energy consumption optimization
Cell design and scaling factors
Metal purity control techniques
Case Study: High-purity copper cathode production in Chilean refineries

Module 8: Battery Metals & Circular Hydrometallurgy

Lithium-ion battery recycling processes
Recovery of cobalt, nickel, and manganese
Hydrometallurgical e-waste treatment
Green chemistry approaches in recycling
ESG compliance and waste minimization
Case Study: Industrial-scale lithium battery recycling plant in China

Training Methodology

Interactive lectures and presentations.
Group discussions and brainstorming sessions.
Hands-on exercises using real-world datasets.
Role-playing and scenario-based simulations.
Analysis of case studies to bridge theory and practice.
Peer-to-peer learning and networking.
Expert-led Q&A sessions.
Continuous feedback and personalized guidance.

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@fineskilltrainingcenter.org or call +254769199797

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally- recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

a. The participant must be conversant with English.

b. Upon completion of training the participant will be issued with an Authorized Training Certificate

c. Course duration is flexible and the contents can be modified to fit any number of days.

d. The course fee includes facilitation training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch and A Certificate upon successful completion of Training.

e. One-year post-training support Consultation and Coaching provided after the course.

f. Payment should be done at least a week before commence of the training, to Fineskill Training Center account, as indicated in the invoice so as to enable us prepare better for you.

Skills & Software Covered

Leaching processes Solution chemistry Metal recovery Process optimization

Programme Fee

Duration: 5 Days

Method: Online or Physical

Online Price: $1,000

Physical Price: $1,500

Certification: Accredited Certificate

View Available Dates 📄 Download Course Outline (PDF)

Available Sessions

Location

Month

Year

Nov 02 2026

02 Nov — 06 Nov 2026

💻 Online / Virtual session

Online $1,000