Front-end Processing
CEco grade
Upstream1 facility tracked
Physical beneficiation of raw ore to produce a mineral concentrate suitable for hydrometallurgical processing.
Where does the mass go?
Material flow balance — per 100 t raw ore fed
FeedstockChemical InputProcessValuable OutputWaste / Emissions
⚖
Critical Ratio
Only ~15% of raw ore becomes mineral concentrate - the rest is tailings
Ratings
Capital Outlay$$ Medium
Technical DifficultyLow
Geopolitical SensitivityLow
Energy Intensity⚡⚡ Medium
Environmental Footprint🍃 C - Moderate impact
Value Add1.5x-2x
Technical MoatLow
Material Flow
INRaw Ore
OUTMineral Concentrate
Key Reagents / Inputs
- Water
- Flotation reagents
- Gravity media
Waste Outputs
- Tailings slurry
- Process water effluent
- Silica gangue
🏰
Technical Moat
LowPrimarily based on established mineral processing physics (gravity, flotation). The barrier is resource-specific optimisation rather than proprietary IP.
