**Maximising Value from Critical Minerals, Battery Metals, and Black Mass: Metso’s Duncan Wyatt**
Duncan Wyatt is a renowned figure in the mineral process engineering and technology field internationally. Currently serving as the critical minerals and hydrometallurgical solutions director at Metso, he will be sharing valuable insights on sustainable processing of critical minerals and battery metals at this month’s IMARC in Sydney.
Richard Roberts, editor at Mining Beacon, had a pre-event chat with him.
Richard Roberts: With over 30 years in the mineral processing industry across different locations, do you still enjoy the travel aspect of working in mining or have you seen enough of the world?
Duncan Wyatt: The travel aspect was initially appealing, and I’ve been fortunate to visit numerous countries and every continent except Antarctica. However, it’s the people in the mining sector that have made the biggest impact on me. The Australian mining community is extensive yet tightly-knit, composed of many talented individuals.
Richard Roberts: Australia has emerged as a global supply hub for lithium minerals. What significant changes have you observed in the lithium and related processing sectors?
Duncan Wyatt: The shift has been remarkable and swift. In the mid-90s, lithium was not a primary focus in mineral processing projects like it is today. With the surge in demand for lithium due to personal electronic devices and now EV cars, there’s a growing need for efficient and sustainable lithium processing methods. Metso has been leading the charge in optimizing the downstream processing of spodumene to lithium hydroxide with environmentally sustainable solutions.
Richard Roberts: Advancements in battery materials/black mass recycling have caught attention lately. What are the key developments or market trends you find noteworthy, and why?
Duncan Wyatt: Recycling of lithium batteries is gaining traction, but challenges remain in terms of feedstock quality and variability. Metso’s technologies for solvent extraction are making headway in the recycling of black mass, streamlining processes for battery-grade nickel, cobalt, and manganese production.
Richard Roberts: As battery black mass recycling gains momentum, what challenges and opportunities do the fast pace of change present?
Duncan Wyatt: The evolving battery chemistry landscape calls for agility to meet market demands and client needs. Staying ahead in technology development and addressing future trends are crucial to maintaining a competitive edge.
Richard Roberts: With Metso’s merger with Outotec, how has the value of acquired technologies and know-how grown, particularly in areas like hydrometallurgical processing?
Duncan Wyatt: Hydrometallurgical processing has become a viable alternative to smelting, and Metso’s expertise in this area has expanded significantly. Our capabilities in pressure leaching and solvent extraction technologies are driving advancements in battery materials and base metals applications.
Stay tuned to Duncan Wyatt’s insights at IMARC and learn more about maximising value from critical minerals, battery metals, and black mass recycling.
Read the full article here.
**About Duncan Wyatt**
Director, Battery Minerals Solutions, Metso
**Source:** [IMARC Global](https://imarcglobal.com/news/articles/maximising-value-from-critical-minerals-battery-metals-and-black-mass-metsos-duncan-wyatt)