Mining and Basic Materials

At Italmatch, we are redefining the role of chemistry in the mining industry. Our advanced solutions are engineered to enhance metal recovery, improve process efficiency, and minimize environmental impact across the entire mining value chain. By combining technical expertise with a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability, we help our partners achieve safer, cleaner, and more efficient operations. Italmatch Mining Solutions stands for responsible resource development, turning complex challenges into opportunities for a more sustainable future.

In hydrometallurgical operations, solvent extraction is one of the more common separation techniques because of its simplicity, speed and wide scope. It frequently appears to be the ideal method of separating trace constituents from large amounts of other substances. Italmatch Ionquest range of innovative phosphorous-based solvent extraction reagents are used to selectively separate and recover metals such as cobalt, nickel, uranium, zinc and Rare Earth Elements or to recover of critical metals from recycled Lithium-ion batteries.

Mining is heavily dependent on water. Water is used throughout the mining industry from the extraction of crude ores to the processing and refining of the finished products. Mining operations are often located in remote and water stressed regions. At the same time wastewater from mines can be highly toxic. As such, water is a major operational and environmental risk and mine operators are forced to be resourceful when it comes to supplying water and meeting discharge regulations.
Scale affects numerous stages of metal extraction processes. Heap leaching, comminution, flotation, vat leaching, carbon adsorption, and heat exchangers as well as oxidation steps used in processing sulfidic ores are among key unit operations that may be adversely affected.

Scale control is in the Italmatch DNA and at the Mining Solutions business our aim is to offer novel and innovative chemistries, product applications and processes to effectively meet the challenges the mining industry continues to face. Our Mining Solutions consists of unique chemistries and ready-for-use products including coagulants, flocculants, scale & corrosion inhibitors, reverse osmosis antiscalants and membrane cleaners.

Phosphorus Pentasulphide (P2S5) plays a key role in sulfide flotation within the mining industry. Sodium, potassium, calcium and ammonium salts of dialkyldithiophosphoric acids, which are widely applied as promoters and collectors in mineral recovery processes.

Solid-liquid separation is an alternative to liquid-liquid separation and particularly suited when the concentration of the target metal(s) is relatively low. With Ionquest MPX, Italmatch  provides an innovative and patented phosphorous-based microporous resin technology for the selective removal of transition metals in both metal refining and in industrial waste and process waters.