High Pressure Metallurgy

Each autoclave project is site and ore-specific. Resource companies need an engineering partner with the right experience and expertise to provide the best solutions.

Hatch’s High Pressure Metallurgy (HPM) practice consists of a dedicated, full-time staff of more than 60 skilled professionals focused on the execution of autoclave projects. With over 25 years of design experience and a team including project managers, metallurgists, chemical, mechanical, refractory and piping engineers, mechanical and piping designers, layout specialists, welding technologists and quality control inspectors, Hatch HPM delivers unmatched project solutions.

Every pressure hydrometallurgical circuit is a custom design. With the right innovative and proprietary equipment designs, your pressure oxidation or pressure leaching needs will be effectively met, from pilot-scale unit operations and demonstration plants to commercial facilities. Our services are tailored to the requirements of your project.

We provide the entire range of project activities, from metallurgical test work through to commercial plant construction and commissioning, following an established approach aligned with project requirements.

We provide the following project life-cycle services:
Scoping level, pre-feasibility, and feasibility engineering studies
Basic and detailed engineering execution
Construction management, commissioning, and start-up / ramp-up support Brownfield debottlenecking and optimization studies and execution Operations support

Specialized services include:
Bench-scale and continuous metallurgical test work planning and management
Metallurgical design development and process modeling (METSIM®, SysCAD®)
Proprietary and custom equipment design, fabrication, and supply Specialized off-gas handling, heat recovery, and mercury abatement (MACT)
Advanced computational analysis and modeling (CFD, FEA)
Process hazard and operability studies (HAZOP)
Layer of protection analysis (LOPA)
Safety instrumented systems design (SIS)
Materials testing, evaluation, selection, and condition monitoring
Equipment fitness for service evaluations (FFS)
Refractory and ceramic materials evaluation, failure analysis, and QA/QC Procurement, expediting, and supply chain management Quality management, material control, and inspection services
Advanced online operational process analytics (digital twin)