96% cobalt recovery calcine leach process, page-2

There are very standard/proven processes (heap leach/tank leach) for converting DRC cobalt mineral (predominantly heterogenite) into cobalt hydroxide, or cobalt metal or cobalt sulphate.

These processes typically run at 75% cobalt recovery but at a comparatively very low cost compared to processing all the low grade non-DRC cobalt minerals / ores.

You can have 99.99% recovery with enough processing if you like, but the operating costs need to make sense. Judge the operating costs based on energy and acid consumption at least at pilot scale, until you have those values at hand no point shouting out about recovery.


Nzuri ore is undergoing testwork to confirm it is compatible with the normal cobalt recovery processes used by the largest cobalt producers in the world. As NZC mineralogy is near identical to other DRC deposits producing these refined chemicals have no doubt it will come back positive.

The testwork is part of assessing the stage 2 option for the project which is about actually unlocking the cobalt value. Stage 1 FS was simply looking at a low cost way to monetise the high grade copper.

There are some very good reasons the largest cobalt chemical producer in the world has taken a large position in Nzuri.