Diagnostics Mineralogy
Ore2Metal provides quantitative mineralogy for metallurgy diagnostics, in collaboration with its partner, Integrated Process Mineralogy Solutions (IPMINS), with an aim to optimize mineral processing and metallurgical plant operations.
This typically includes mineralogy analyses of both visible and invisible (solid solution) metals with a focus on various critical metals including Rare Earths, Vanadium, Gallium and Germanium along with Gold & Platinum. Automated Mineralogy techniques such as Qem*Scan, MLA and Tescan can mostly detect visible elements but cannot detect solid solution components. Micro probe analyses are carried out on different mineral species (eg. Apatite, Iron Oxides, Silicates, Pyrite & others as needed) to identify elements in solid solution.
Dynamic SIMS or other Laser Ablation are also carried out as needed, to better quantify the presence of such elements. Since SIMS & advanced analyses are relatively expensive, provision for only a limited number is presently budgeted for. We also carry out diagnostics mineralogy studies on some select residues generated after acid digestion typically carried out for ICP analyses. This will help to detect any possible undigested component of the samples missed by ICP.
The aim of this mineralogy diagnostics is to quantify the various elements of interest and also their associations (with gangue and other minerals) to better assess the most efficient processing route to recover these elements.
Mineral Processing
From Bench‑Scale Investigations to Pilot‑Plant Demonstration
All testing is conducted in-house at Process ORTECH’s purpose‑built 40,000 ft² facility in Toronto/Mississauga GTA, Ontario, Canada. We deliver end‑to‑end solutions across mineral processing, flotation, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and analytical services, advancing projects from initial bench tests to pilot‑scale validation and commercialization.
Our mineral processing labs and pilot plant facility are equipped to replicate industrial-scale operations:
Crushing & Grinding
- Jaw crushers and Hazemag impact crusher
- Laboratory and pilot-scale ball & rod mills (both batch and continuous)
- High-pressure grinding rolls, 45 cm roll crusher, and Komarck briquetting rolls
- Bond Work Index test mill and SAG testing capability
Separation & Classification
- High-frequency/vibratory screens, cyclones, and hydrocyclone rigs
- Low- and high-intensity magnetic separators (wet HI separators)
- Gravity table (Humphrey spiral) for density-based separation
These systems enable detailed comminution studies, throughput prediction, and liberation analysis essential for flowsheet optimization.
Flotation Testing
Our lab offers comprehensive flotation testing from lab to pilot-scale:
Laboratory Flotation
- Denver-style flotation cells (1–8 L capacity)
- Metso flotation cells (2-5 L capacity)
Pilot-Scale Flotation
- Multi-stage continuous flotation circuits
- Flotation column for enhanced recovery of fine particles
These facilities support flotation optimization, reagent selection, and flowsheet design for complex ores.
We provide FlotART related laboratory services at Ortech.
Hydrometallurgy
All testing is conducted in-house at Process ORTECH’s purpose‑built 40,000 ft² facility in Mississauga, Ontario. We deliver end‑to‑end solutions across mineral processing, flotation, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and analytical services, advancing projects from initial bench tests to pilot‑scale validation and commercialization.
Our hydrometallurgical infrastructure is designed for flexibility and scalability:
Leaching Systems
- Atmospheric stirred tanks (2–100 L) and sealed reactors
- Autoclaves up to 50 gallons for pressure leaching (POX, HPAL)
- Column leach rigs for heap testing
Solvent Extraction & Ion Exchange
- Mixer-settlers (2–10 stages), pulse columns
- Pilot SX rigs (up to 60 L/hr) and fixed-bed IX columns for rare earths & specialty metals
Electrowinning & Precipitation
- Bench and pilot EW cells with precise control
- Crystallizers and precipitation reactors with pH/temperature regulation
Integrated circuits link solution analysis, thickening, filtration, and solid–liquid separation for complete flowsheet validation.
Pyrometallurgy
All testing is conducted in-house at Process ORTECH’s purpose‑built 40,000 ft² facility in Mississauga, Ontario. We deliver end‑to‑end solutions across mineral processing, flotation, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and analytical services, advancing projects from initial bench tests to pilot‑scale validation and commercialization.
PRO’s pyrometallurgical labs encompass a wide array of thermal treatment and metallurgical operations:
Thermal & Roasting Furnaces
- Rotary kilns for calcination, roasting, reduction
- Fluidized-bed, tube, and muffle furnaces (to 1200 °C) (processortech.com)
Smelting & High Temperature Reactors
- 50 kW induction furnaces
- AC electric arc furnaces for slag–metal separation
- Torbed gas–solid reactors for rapid heat reactions
These systems are ideal for developing smelting, reduction, and advanced pyromet applications.
Innovation & Specialized Technologies
At PRO, we champion sustainable and innovative processes through in-house incubation:
Development of flowsheets for low-grade, polymetallic, and critical-rare-earth ores
E-waste recycling, tailings reprocessing, and circular economy solutions
Development of advanced flotation reagents and selective leaching chemistries
Pilot testing of clean-tech and ESG-friendly process routes (processortech.com)
Analytical
Our dedicated analytical lab provides fast, accurate data essential for metallurgical decision-making:
Elemental & Mineral Analysis
- ICP-OES, AAS, LECO C/S/N analysis
- XRF and XRD for phase and compositional determination
Particle & Surface Characterization
- Laser particle sizing
- Optical microscopy for liberation and texture analysis
- Rheology testing with viscometers
Process Monitoring & QA/QC
- Inline/portable sensors for pH, Eh, conductivity, density
- Custom method development for specialized metal assays and ore types
Samples flow seamlessly from lab to pilot work, enabling real‑time metallurgical accounting and QA/QC integration.
Why Process Research ORTECH?
All testing is performed in-house at our 40,000 ft² Mississauga facility near Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Fully integrated bench-to-pilot capabilities across all major metallurgical disciplines
Advanced analytical support and real-time QA monitoring
Proven record of supporting feasibility, scale-up, licensing, and commercial readiness
Visit the lab at 🌐 processortech.com to learn more or request a consultation.