The resin in moist mix (RIMM) process has been developed by InnovEco Australia and tested at the University of South Australia to treat various low-grade ore types and mineral wastes. The RIMM method has demonstrated high efficiency in the recovery of copper, cobalt and other valuable metals. Due to its simplicity and relatively low water and reagent consumption, this method could be used for the recovery of critical minerals from low-grade ores and mineral wastes such as tailings. The possibility of building the RIMM plants as portable and modular has created a unique opportunity where it could be used for processing small deposits or resources, and environmental cleaning of contaminated sites.
The current project aims at expanding the existing knowledge of the RIMM capability and applicability, further developing this method for the recovery of strategic and critical minerals such as copper, cobalt, and rare earth elements (REE) from different complex and currently uneconomical low-grade and waste resources. The process applications could also include other metals (e.g., lead and zinc) and other secondary resources such as mine wastewater and acid mine drainage (AMD). Strategically linking the RIMM technology to other methods could unlock the economic viability for environmentally friendly processing of low-grade ores and wastes.
Project Objectives
- Identify and characterise primary and secondary resources (e.g., low-grade ores, and wastes) that could be processed with the RIMM process. Opportunity for initial pre-concentration and pre-treatment will be investigated where relevant to enhance the process economics and ensure more benign metal extraction.
- Demonstrate the RIMM process for the recovery of critical minerals from low-grade ores and mineral waste, and for environmental cleaning and rehabilitation of mine sites. This may involve both bench top and mini pilot plant studies depending on the sponsors requirements, ore characteristics and early results at the bench top level.
- Identify complimentary technologies that could be integrated with RIMM to cover all processes from mining to final product in an eco-friendly and economically beneficial manner; and
- Develop the process flow sheets suitable for various low-grade resources investigated.
The project is currently under development and open to sponsors.
