Reagent Recycling
Closing the chemical loop for cleaner, more efficient metallurgy
PROBLEM: Reagents Drive Cost and Contamination
In metal extraction, reagents are vital — but costly and wasteful when used once.
Most hydrometallurgical processes discard them, generating chemical effluents that raise both OPEX and environmental risk.
TENSION: The ESG and Cost Equation
Effluent management and reagent procurement can represent up to 40% of total processing costs.
Tighter ESG standards now demand closed-loop systems to reduce hazardous waste and qualify for sustainable financing.
SOLUTION: Closed-Loop Reagent Recycling by Design
GEOMEGA’s closed-loop reagent recovery technology regenerates, purifies, and reuses its reagents - reducing both cost and chemical waste.
Hydrochloric acid, for example, can be regenerated directly from process streams, achieving >90% reuse while maintaining extraction efficiency.
KEY ADVANTAGES
Up to 95% reagent recovery and reuse
70% less effluent generation
40% lower reagent cost
Compatible and scalable with REE, Fe, Co, Ni, and battery-metal recovery processes
Safer, non-aggressive chemistry
Adaptive to feed chemistry
PROOF: Lab & Pilot Scale Validations
Developed at GEOMEGA’s Boucherville facility in bench scale
Successful piloting with hundreds of cycles run
Integrated water purification for near-zero liquid discharge
Technology Readiness Level - TRL 6–7 across multiple mineral and waste feeds
Demonstration scale plant being built for magnet recycling application using this technology
Ongoing engineering with Rio Tinto for an on-site demonstration plant from bauxite residue using this technology
PAYOFF: Cleaner Chemistry, Lower Cost, Stronger ESG
Circular reagent systems cut OPEX, simplify compliance, and demonstrate genuine environmental leadership.
Operational: Cut reagent and waste costs; simplify treatment; improve uptime.
Strategic: Up to ~30% OPEX reduction potential; stronger ESG compliance; enables green financing.
It’s not just efficient chemistry - it’s responsible engineering.
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