Ionometallurgy of primary sources for an enhanced raw materials recovery

Objective

The Ion4Raw project proposes an energy-, material- and cost-efficient new mineral processing technology to recover by-products from primary sources by means of innovative Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES) ionic liquids and advanced electrorecovery as an only step. A joint recovery of by-products from primary sources which belong to the Cu-Ag-Au group is proposed. Most of the targeted by-products elements are Critical Raw Materials as bismuth (Bi), germanium (Ge), indium (In), cobalt (Co), platinum (Pt) and antimony (Sb). Accompanying major product metals, e.g. copper (Cu), silver (Ag) and gold (Au), may also be recovered by this process. The flexibility of the process (to be demonstrated to TRL 5 through a prototype) increases its market penetration potential as a sound systemic solution.
The technical feasibility of this concept is supported by the TRL 2-3. From this starting point, the Ion4Raw project aims to reach TRL 5 by implementing a process prototype at TECNALIA (TEC) facilities. Furthermore, to produce a sound systemic solution, comprehensive by-product potential mapping will be carried out to link the Ion4Raw process with suitable sources.
Finally, Ion4Raw project has a very promising business potential since it will allow mining and mineral processing companies to fully exploit by-product potential by recovering them at their own facilities. This will contribute to unlocking the full potential of Europe’s inner wealth by converting new and currently unexploited resources into reserves.

Field of science

• /engineering and technology/environmental engineering/mining and mineral processing
• /humanities/languages and literature/linguistics/phonetics
• /natural sciences/chemical sciences/inorganic chemistry/inorganic compounds

Programme(s)

• H2020-EU.3.5.3. - Ensuring the sustainable supply of non-energy and non-agricultural raw materials

Topic(s)

• CE-SC5-06-2018 - New technologies for the enhanced recovery of by-products

Call for proposal

H2020-SC5-2018-2
See other projects for this call

Funding Scheme

RIA - Research and Innovation action

Coordinator

OPTIMIZACION ORIENTADA A LA SOSTENIBILIDAD SL

Address

Avenida Leonardo Da Vinci 18 Piso 2
41092 Sevilla
Spain

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

EU contribution

€ 1 047 750

Participants (12)

BUREAU DE RECHERCHES GEOLOGIQUES ET MINIERES

France

EU contribution

€ 471 120

Address

3 Av Claude Guillemin
45060 Orleans

Activity type

Research Organisations

SCOTGOLD RESOURCES LIMITED

United Kingdom

EU contribution

€ 104 000

Address

Upper Tyndrum Station
FK20 8RY Tyndrum

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

CUMBRES EXPLORACIONES SAC

Peru

EU contribution

€ 120 825

Address

Calle Nicolo Paganini Ak-16, Urb Los Alamos, Santiago De Surco
Lima 33 Lima

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

WARDELL ARMSTRONG LLP

United Kingdom

EU contribution

€ 423 375

Address

Sir Henry Doulton House, Forge Lane
ST1 5BD Stoke On Trent

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION

Spain

EU contribution

€ 572 250

Address

Parque Cientifico Y Tecnologico De Gipuzkoa Paseo Mikeletegi 2
20009 Donostia/san Sebastian (Gipuzkoa)

Activity type

Research Organisations

SINTEF AS

Norway

EU contribution

€ 444 302,50

Address

Strindvegen 4
7034 Trondheim

Activity type

Research Organisations

TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITAET BERGAKADEMIE FREIBERG

Germany

EU contribution

€ 698 702,50

Address

Akademiestrasse 6
09599 Freiberg

Activity type

Higher or Secondary Education Establishments

HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM DRESDEN-ROSSENDORF EV

Germany

EU contribution

€ 374 625

Address

Bautzner Landstrasse 400
01328 Dresden

Activity type

Research Organisations

L'UREDERRA, FUNDACION PARA EL DESARROLLO TECNOLOGICO Y SOCIAL

Spain

EU contribution

€ 479 250

Address

Área Industrial Perguita C/a N°1
31210 Los Arcos

Activity type

Research Organisations

LGI CONSULTING

France

EU contribution

€ 355 625

Address

6 Cite De L'ameublement
75011 Paris

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

RINA CONSULTING - CENTRO SVILUPPO MATERIALI SPA

Italy

EU contribution

€ 363 875

Address

Via Di Castel Romano 100
00128 Roma

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)

PNO INNOVATION

Belgium

EU contribution

€ 228 750

Address

Excelsiorlaan 51
1930 Zaventem

Activity type

Private for-profit entities (excluding Higher or Secondary Education Establishments)