Aurubis anode sludge recovery plant ‘live’

A new hydrometallurgical plant established by Aurubis in Belgium to recover tin and other metals from anode sludge is now operational.

The metals giant has announced the ‘go-live’ of its Aspa plant at its site in Beerse. The facility processes anode sludge, a valuable product from electrolytic copper refining produced at Aurubis recycling sites at Lünen in Germany and Beerse.

Benefits

The new process delivers two major benefits: faster extraction of more precious metals and the full recovery of tin from the anode sludge. With an investment of around EUR 33 million, the company is committing to further developing Aurubis Beerse and connecting its European sites more strongly than before.

‘Fully developed in-house, this new state-of-the-art hydrometallurgical process, Aspa, is another prime example of Aurubis’ innovative strength,’ says chief operating officer Multimetal Recyling Inge Hofkens.

‘We are pioneering sustainable multi-metal production and are now taking recycling to the next level.’

Expertise

Md of Aurubis Beerse Dirk Vandenberghe adds: ‘The successful start-up of Aspa directly results from the expertise and metallurgical know-how but also from team spirit and a profound commitment to the circular economy.