Precious metal extraction and recycling as an environmental necessity

HECHT has successfully completed an engineering project for a leading company in the sector, focusing on the recovery of precious metals. Reliable plant and well-designed systems are crucial for unloading, mixing and feeding precious metal compounds or ores at the respective process stages, thereby making the recovery process more efficient. In this project, HECHT was once again able to contribute its expertise and innovative solutions. The challenges posed by the project conditions were overcome, and the requirements of the precious metals industry were met to the client’s complete satisfaction.

The planning and subsequent implementation were carried out taking into account the components provided by the client. A key focus of the project was on low-dust production to ensure the safety of staff. To this end, HECHT designed the entire steel structure with a low-dust enclosure and the complete exhaust air system with associated pipework. The latter features a more powerful filtration system to prevent deposits building up in the pipework.

Furthermore, this project demonstrates HECHT ’s ability to develop bespoke solutions. Precious metals are often recovered in the form of ores, electronic scrap or waste products. These materials must be processed for further treatment.

Mixing plants are usually employed to blend the raw materials with specific chemicals or solvents in order to prepare them for extraction or leaching. Here, however, they are used to blend the precious metal dusts in order to achieve a uniform particle size distribution. The mills and mixers specified by the client therefore play a key role in the comminution and processing of the precious metal dust, preparing it for the subsequent processing stages.

This makes the plant’s feeding and processing systems all the more important in ensuring a reliable and smooth operation. In this case, it was necessary to be able to access three individual mills or three individual mixers on each of two production lines via a mobile drum lifting and tilting system.

Furthermore, HECHT plays a crucial role in this stage of the process, as the bulk materials specialist from Pfaffenhofen has developed innovative containment solutions that make it possible to precious metals to be safely and efficiently emptied from and filled into drums without posing any potential risks to the surrounding area or staff. Part of this comprehensive solution are specialised docking stations with integrated weighing systems for drum emptying and filling, which operate under containment conditions.

HECHT has developed the CFE-K (Containment Drum Emptying with Tipper) specifically for the low-dust and contamination-free emptying of drums. This system is characterised by its ability to ensure the highest level of product safety and occupational safety. A key feature of the CFE-K is the integrated containment system, which effectively prevents the escape of dust and particles during the emptying process. This is achieved through a combination of special seals, negative pressure systems and highly effective filters, which ensure that the working environment remains clean and safe.

A further advantage of the CFE-K is its flexibility and efficiency in handling various drum sizes and types. Thanks to its modular design, the system can be adapted to specific requirements, making it a versatile solution for a wide range of applications.
The integrated weighing systems enable precise dosing and control of the emptied material, which is particularly important in precious metal recovery to minimise losses and maximise yield.
In addition, the CFE-K is equipped with an automated drum handling system that reduces manual contact with the material, thereby minimising the risk of contamination for the operator.
This HECHT system is also designed to be easy to clean and maintain, which reduces operating costs and increases uptime.

The conclusion to be drawn from this successfully implemented project is therefore that precious metal extraction and recovery are indispensable elements of a sustainable and resource-efficient industry. HECHT ’s technology has established itself as a pioneer in the development of drum-emptying systems under containment conditions, enabling safe, efficient and environmentally friendly precious metal processing.

The combination of technological progress and environmental awareness paves the way for a future in which precious metals are responsibly extracted and recycled without compromising on safety or quality.