FLSmidth has agreed to purchase the hydrometallurgical and mineral processing capabilities of AuTec Innovative Extractive Solutions Ltd. (AuTec), a subsidiary of Barrick Gold Corp. The sale includes related equipment and key personnel. Offers of employment will be made to approximately 10 AuTec employees by FLSmidth. FLSmidth’s Mineral Testing and Research Center in Salt Lake City, Utah, will continue AuTec’s history of innovative process, piloting, testing and characterization of simple to the most complex ores, including refractory gold.
“Finding a good home for these segments of AuTec’s business with a trusted provider, capable of continuing to support the needs of our sites, was important for us,” said Greg Walker, head of operations and technical excellence, Barrick Gold. “With FLSmidth, we’re confident we will have access to high-caliber expertise and the capabilities to meet various test work needs going forward.”
With the purchase, FLSmidth will add capabilities of continuous pilot pressure oxidation, including subsequent leaching and downstream flowsheet, continuous flotation, column flotation, and benchtop roasting. These new capabilities — combined with FLSmidth’s current Dawson Metallurgical Laboratories, advanced Ore Characterization and Process Mineralogy Center, in-house Analytical Laboratory, and Solid/Liquid Separation — will reinforce its position as a global leader in base and precious metal metallurgical test work and development.
“We are very excited to combine the talent and experience of AuTec with our Mineral Testing and Research Center and we look forward to serving as an ongoing trusted test center for Barrick and other key miners,” said Wayne Douglas, head of FLSmidth’s Mineral Testing and Research Center. “From complex greenfield projects to optimizing current plant operations, FLSmidth will continue to offer testing programs that result in practical, implemented solutions. This addition of capabilities will help us achieve our goal of being productivity provider number one for our mining customers globally.”
The transaction is expected to close near the end of the first quarter of 2019 and will be subject to customary closing conditions.
