Geomechanics.io

  • Free Tools
Sign UpLog In
Built byBoxcut Studio

Geomechanics.io

Geomechanics, Streamlined.

© 2026 Geomechanics.io. All rights reserved.

Geomechanics.io

CMRR-ioGEODB-ioHYDROGEO-ioQCDB-ioFree Tools & CalculatorsBlogLatest Industry News

Industries

MiningConstructionTunnelling

Company

Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyLinkedIn
    Projects
    Product
    Sustainability

    BHP Invent–MIT SiTration waste-stream metals: process and design notes for engineers

    July 1, 2026|

    Reviewed by Tom Sullivan

    BHP Invent–MIT SiTration waste-stream metals: process and design notes for engineers

    First reported on MINING.com

    30 Second Briefing

    BHP Invent, MIT spinout SiTration and Copper South Australia have completed a 5‑week prototype trial of SiTration’s silicon‑based electrode electro‑extraction technology on local copper samples, targeting BHP copper and gold waste streams. The process recovered bullion‑grade gold at 99.99% purity and copper at 99.9% purity directly from dilute, chemically harsh residual liquids, using a simplified flowsheet. If scaled, the approach could cut processing reagents, energy and water use while making currently uneconomic low‑grade copper material recoverable.

    Technical Brief

    • SiTration’s patented silicon-based electrodes are engineered for durability in chemically harsh, low‑pH process liquors.
    • Electro‑extraction cell is designed to treat dilute, complex multi‑ion solutions without prior concentration stages.
    • Flowsheet simplification explicitly aims to cut reagent types, intermediate unit operations and associated OPEX.
    • SiTration positions the technology as low‑cost, with potential retrofit into brownfield hydrometallurgical circuits.
    • If scaled, similar electro‑extraction systems could extend economic cut‑off grades for copper waste stockpiles.

    Our Take

    BHP Invent’s work with SiTration on copper and gold waste streams sits alongside its MoUs with China ENFI and BGRIMM, signalling that BHP is building a diversified external tech pipeline for mineral processing rather than relying solely on in‑house R&D.

    Achieving 99.9% copper and 99.99% gold purity from waste streams is strategically significant in a year when our database shows multiple copper and gold pieces framed around margin pressure, as it effectively turns tailings and low-grade residues into a higher‑quality, hedge‑like revenue source.

    The inclusion of aluminium and a US$5.6 billion South32–Alcoa transaction in the same context underscores that waste-stream recovery tech could quickly become relevant beyond copper and gold, especially for large integrated operators in Australia and the US looking to sweat existing refining assets rather than build greenfield capacity.

    Geotechnical Software for Modern Teams

    Centralise site data, logs, and lab results with GEODB-io, CMRR-io, and HYDROGEO-io.

    No credit card required.

    • Save and export unlimited calculations
    • Advanced data visualisation
    • Generate professional PDF reports
    • Cloud storage for all your projects

    Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.

    Related Articles

    Mining
    about 7 hours ago

    Techking–Boonray autonomous mining tyres: design and duty-cycle notes for engineers

    Techking is collaborating with Chinese autonomous haulage specialist Boonray to co-develop mining truck tyres tailored to electric and driverless fleets, where high, instantaneous torque and tighter speed control change loading behaviour. The partners are integrating tyre design into early vehicle engineering, using Boonray’s AHS control data on torque curves, duty cycles and haul-road conditions to refine carcass structure, compound selection and heat management. For mine operators, this points to tyre performance being tuned to specific autonomous truck–road systems rather than generic TKPH-based selection.

    Mining
    about 7 hours ago

    EcoPower Mate temporary power: layout and staging insights for mine planners

    EcoPower Mate introduces a modular temporary power system for remote mines, targeting exploration camps, mobile offices, communications nodes and construction facilities that currently rely on diesel gensets. Designed for locations with shifting footprints and variable loads, the units can be redeployed as drilling pads, laydown areas or satellite camps move, reducing the need to oversize fixed generator banks. For mine planners and project engineers, the approach supports more flexible power layouts and staged infrastructure without committing to early grid extensions.

    Mining
    about 7 hours ago

    Sedgman wins Barroso lithium FEED: design and risk notes for project engineers

    Sedgman has secured the Front-End Engineering and Design contract for the lithium concentrator plant at Savannah Resources’ Barroso lithium project in northern Portugal, following its earlier work on the process flowsheet and Definitive Feasibility Study plant design. The FEED scope will refine equipment selection, layout and mass–energy balances for the hard-rock spodumene concentrator, de-risking capital estimates ahead of a final investment decision. For geotechnical and civil teams, the move signals progression towards detailed earthworks, foundations and tailings/waste infrastructure design on what is billed as mainland Europe’s largest lithium project.

    Related Industries & Products

    Mining

    Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.

    Construction

    Quality control software for construction companies with material testing, batch tracking, and compliance management.

    CMRR-io

    Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.

    HYDROGEO-io

    Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.

    GEODB-io

    Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.

    AllGeotechnicalInfrastructureHazardsEnvironmental