Expertise
Pyrometallurgy
With extensive experience in sulphide and electric furnace smelting, our team consists of experts who combine deep technical knowledge with the pragmatism gained from real-world operations.
Familiar with all oxygen and electric sulphide smelting technologies in base metals, platinum, titanium, ferro-alloys, and more, we have the expertise to provide high-quality, lean, and effective services across every aspect of the operation—including slag handling, pyro- and electro-refining, casting, air separation and compression, water treatment, and beyond.
Study case
E-Waste Processing Facility – Confidential
CaEng was originally retained to complete the prefeasibility study for this project. The planned facility will produce copper and other valuable metals from copper scrap, E-waste, and end of-life residues. This facility will include pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical processing of these materials to produce pyro refined copper, copper cathodes and other intermediates containing valuable metals. After successfully delivering the prefeasibility study, CaEng went on to complete the feasibility study and is now actively supporting the client through the project’s execution phase.
Study case
Zinc Smelter Debottlenecking – South America
The client operates a Zinc roasting, leaching and electrowinning (RLE) plant. CaEng’s role was to evaluate and recommend improvements for their Roaster, waste heat boiler and off gas handling systems. CaEng’s experts conducted a site visit and thoroughly reviewed existing operational information and data. Based on the findings, numerous recommendations were provided accompanied with order of magnitude capital cost estimates and an indication of the possible improvement to output.
Study case
E-waste and Copper Scrap Processing Plant – Asia
CaEng was approached by a client in Asia to provide assistance with furthering the development of their Copper Scrap and E-Waste Processing project. The client wanted to explore the potential for a greenfield smelting and refining operation adjacent to the existing copper smelting and refining facility. CaEng developed the process for processing the complex feed materials and delivered a front end study complete with capital and operating cost estimates. The project will be operational in 2026.
Study case
Tin Smelter Study – Central Africa
A client with a tin mining operation in Central Africa retained CaEng to develop a study to look at smelting and refining tin concentrate locally. The tin concentrate is trucked to the closest port in and then shipped to a tolling facility. Due to on going issues with transportation and logistics a local smelting and refining facility would be beneficial for the company. At the onset of the study, a technology review and comparison was conducted to identify options for smelting technology packages that could be used for the future facility. Two options were shortlisted and carried forward into the concept study, the top submerged lance furnace and the electric arc furnace. Both smelting options were used in the development of the concept level study. Concept level engineering was completed for all areas of the facility including: material reception & feed preparation, smelting and reduction, refining and casting, off gas handling and treatment and utilities. Capital cost and operating cost estimates were developed based on the concept engineering deliverables.