https://www.miningweekly.com

Receive our free daily newsletter:

Solvent Extraction

Solvent extraction is a hydrometallurgical process used to separate and purify metals from ore solutions, most commonly applied in copper production. The technique involves selectively transferring metal ions from an aqueous solution into an organic solvent, then stripping the metal back into a concentrated aqueous phase suitable for electrowinning or other recovery methods. In copper processing, solvent extraction typically follows leaching operations where copper is dissolved from ore or waste rock using acid solutions. The process uses organic extractants that selectively bind copper ions while rejecting impurities such as iron, allowing producers to upgrade dilute leach solutions into high-purity electrolytes. Solvent extraction is particularly important in oxide copper operations and in situ recovery projects, where it bridges the gap between low-grade leach solutions and the electrowinning cells that produce finished copper cathode. The technology offers significant advantages over traditional smelting for certain ore types, including lower capital costs, reduced energy consumption and the ability to process ores unsuitable for pyrometallurgical treatment. Modern solvent extraction circuits operate continuously, with the organic phase recycled between extraction and stripping stages to maintain efficiency. The process has become a cornerstone of the global copper industry, enabling economic recovery from lower-grade deposits and extending the productive life of mining operations. Major copper-producing regions including Chile, the southwestern United States and parts of Africa rely heavily on solvent extraction–electrowinning technology. The technique has also been adapted for recovering other metals including nickel, cobalt, zinc and uranium from various feed sources.

Solvent Extraction News


Ucore's RapidSX technology
Ucore sends commercial-grade dysprosium samples for offtaker evaluation
7th July 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

TSX-V-listed Ucore Rare Metals has produced commercial-grade 99.9% dysprosium oxide that will be sent to major rare earth permanent magnet and electronics manufacturers for technical evaluation.... 


Xarxar project area in Azerbaijan
Anglo Asian contracts Worley Europe for two copper feasibility studies in Azerbaijan
22nd June 2026 By: Marleny Arnoldi

Aim-listed gold, copper and silver producer Anglo Asian Mining has appointed Worley Europe as its contractor to complete the Xarxar and Garadag feasibility studies, in Azerbaijan. The feasibility... 


Phosphogypsum
Phalaborwa Rare Earths Project, South Africa – update
5th June 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Phalaborwa has been established as a proven producer of rare-earth elements, with the large-scale pilot plant in Johannesburg running the optimised primary flowsheet and producing a high-grade... 


Location map of the Los Azules project
Los Azules copper project, Argentina – update
29th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

McEwen Copper has appointed financial services provider Societe Generale to lead the structuring and arrangement of a senior debt package to fund construction. 


Location map of the Santa Cruz project
Santa Cruz underground copper mine, US – update
15th May 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Ivanhoe Electric has said it has all necessary permits to start initial construction activities. 


Copper cathode being transported
Goldman Sachs maintains 2026 copper price, surplus forecasts
22nd April 2026 By: Reuters

Goldman Sachs on Tuesday maintained its forecast for the copper price to average $12 650 per metric ton this year and its estimate of a 490,000-ton 2026 surplus for the metal. However, the bank... 


Aerial view of the Dianne copper project
Dianne copper mine production restart, Australia
13th March 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Revolver Resources is progressing with the restart of the Dianne mine after publishing an integrated restart study in January 2026. 


Copper plates
Florence Copper in situ copper recovery facility, US – update
6th March 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The project has harvested the first copper cathodes from its recently completed commercial production facility. 


Image of copper plates from the Florence copper operation
Florence Copper in situ copper recovery facility, US – update
27th February 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Taseko Mines has started copper cathode production. 


Image of rare earths from the Phalaborwa project
Phalaborwa Rare Earths Project, South Africa – update
13th February 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Rainbow Rare Earths has announced that its recently commissioned large-scale pilot plant is operating the optimised Phalaborwa primary flowsheet. 


Large native copper nugget
Florence Copper in situ copper recovery facility, US – update
23rd January 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Taseko Mines has completed construction and is advancing into commissioning and early operations. 


The above image depicts the DEHSCOFIXSC12 solution
New coagulant mitigates challenges of colloidal silica
16th January 2026 By: Lynne Davies

Following challenges in the mining sector caused by colloidal silica in copper and cobalt leaching, mining chemicals supplier BME Metallurgy has succeeded in the development and application of an... 


Image of lump of rare earths
Phalaborwa Rare Earths Project, South Africa – update
16th January 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Rainbow Rare Earths has started operations at its Johannesburg pilot plant. 


Revolver flags strong restart case for Dianne copper mine
Revolver flags strong restart case for Dianne copper mine
12th January 2026 By: Mariaan Webb

Australia-listed Revolver Resources has outlined a compelling business case to restart its Dianne copper mine in north Queensland, following the completion of a detailed recommencement study that... 


Image of rare earths from the Phalaborwa project
Phalaborwa Rare Earths Project, South Africa – update
9th January 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

Phalaborwa is now expected to produce about 213 t/y of yttrium oxide as part of its mixed heavy-rare-earth output.  


Image of rare earth oxide
Phalaborwa Rare Earths Project, South Africa – update
28th November 2025 By: Sheila Barradas

Rainbow Rare Earths has advanced the project by confirming solvent-extraction as the final separation method for producing high-purity rare-earth oxides.  


Rainbow Rare Earths CEO George Bennett
Rainbow selects solvent extraction for final separation at Phalaborwa
25th November 2025 By: Darren Parker

Rainbow Rare Earths has chosen solvent extraction (SX) as the final separation method for its Phalaborwa rare earths project, in Limpopo, a decision the company says removes a key uncertainty in... 


Image of copper ore
Florence Copper in situ copper recovery facility, US – update
21st November 2025 By: Sheila Barradas

The project is progressing towards first production early next year. 


1

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







pqt: 0.099s - ct: 0.182s - 261pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now