Boyd Willis Hydromet Consulting

Boyd Willis Hydromet Consulting Hydrometallurgical consultant. Available for project definition, process development, testwork mana

I have 36 yrs experience in metallurgical process engineering, including 29 yrs of metallurgy and hydrometallurgy, and 15 yrs operations experience in continuous process plants. My experience includes 20 yrs of engineering design and 3 yrs of plant commissioning. I have my own METSIM license (metallurgical process simulation, heat & mass balance software) and I am a very experienced user. I became

a freelance consultant in July 2008, specialising in nickel laterite project development work. In this time I have been heavily involved in 16 nickel laterite studies, for 2 heap leach projects, 10 HPAL projects, and 4 atmospheric leach projects. Three of these projects plan to recover scandium as a by-product. For the 12 yrs prior to becoming a consultant I worked for Aker Solutions (formerly Davy Corporation and Kvaerner Metals) in Brisbane. I have been involved in many base metals projects, and have extensive knowledge of nickel laterite flowsheets, contributing to more than 30 nickel laterite projects. My involvement has extended to all facets of project development covering project definition, flowsheet development, testwork planning & management, mining, ore preparation, metallurgical processing, process services, utilities and infrastructure, enabling me to bring a whole of project perspective to the table. My nickel laterite experience includes high pressure, atmospheric and heap leaching, and a wide variety of downstream recovery processes. Previously I spent 6 yrs at Kwinana Nickel Refinery, where I developed expertise in high pressure aqueous hydrogen reduction of nickel, and detailed knowledge of complex hydrometallurgical processes and chemistry. I am available for project definition, process development, testwork management and METSIM modelling work. NICKEL LATERITE EXPERIENCE

Nonoc Nickel Project, Mindanao, Philippines
Cadig Nickel Project, Luzon, Philippines
Owner: Clariden Holdings (subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation)
Phase: Consulting Services, short listing of process options and testwork planning
Flowsheets: HPAL, Atmospheric Leach (saprolite) / Direct Nickel (nitric acid)

Çaldaĝ Nickel Project, Çaldaĝ, Turkey
Owner: Çaldaĝ Nikel Madencilck
Phase: Consultant for Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility Studies
Flowsheet: Atmospheric Leach, Direct SX, EW

Nornico SCONI Project, Queensland, Australia
Owner: Metallica Minerals Ltd, Australia
Phase: Scoping Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, Scandium SX, MHP, Scandium Oxide

Agata Nickel Project, Mindanao, Philippines
Owner: Mindoro Resources Ltd, Philippines
Phase: Prefeasibility Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, Atmospheric Leach (saprolite), MHP

Dampala Nickel Project, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Owner: Transasia Minerals Ltd
Phase: Venture Analysis Study
Flowsheet: Considered HPAL, Atmospheric Leach, Heap Leach, Ferro-Nickel

Musongati Nickel Project, Burundi, Africa
Owner: BMM International Ltd
Phase: Venture Analysis Study
Flowsheet: Considered HPAL, Atmospheric Leach, Heap Leach, Ferro-Nickel

Nornico Project, Queensland, Australia
Owner: Metallica Minerals Ltd, Australia
Phase: Greenvale Scoping Study
Flowsheet: Atmospheric Leach, Direct SX, EW

Agata Nickel Project, Mindanao, Philippines
Owner: Mindoro Resources Ltd, Philippines
Phase: Options Study
Flowsheet: Considered HPAL, Atmospheric Leach, Heap Leach, Ferro-Nickel, Ni Pig Iron

Wowo Gap Nickel Project, Papua – New Guinea
Owner: Resource Mining Corporation, Australia
Phase: Desktop review
Flowsheet: DSO, Atmospheric Leach, Heap Leach

Mindoro Nickel Project, Mindoro, Philippines
Owner: Intex Resources, Philippines, Inc. Phases: Scoping Study, Prefeasibility Study, Definitive Feasibility Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, Atmospheric Leach (saprolite), MSP, POX, SX, H2 Reduction, Ni Briquettes
Scandium extraction/recovery

Nornico Project, Queensland, Australia
Owner: Metallica Minerals Ltd, Australia
Phases: Bell Creek Scoping Study, Feasibility Study
Flowsheet: Heap Leach, IX, NHP, EW

Agata Nickel Project, Mindanao, Philippines
Owner: Mindoro Resources Ltd, Philippines
Phases: Desktop Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, MHP, Ammonia Leach, SX/EW

Nkamouna Nickel Project, Cameroon, Africa
Owner: Geovic Mining Corp., Canada
Phases: Basic Engineering
Flowsheet: Sulphur Dioxide/ Acid Leach, SX, Pyrohydrolysis

Wingellina Nickel Project, Western Australia
Owner: Metals X Ltd, Australia
Phases: Prefeasibility Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, MHP

Taganito Nickel Project, Mindanao, Philippines
Owner: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co, Japan
Phases: Prefeasibility Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, MSP

NiWest Project, Western Australia
Owner: GME Resources, Australia
Phases: Scoping Study
Flowsheet: Heap Leach, MHP

Jump-Up Dam Nickel Project, Western Australia
Owner: Heron Resources, Australia
Phases: Scoping Study
Flowsheet: Heap Leach, MHP

Gladstone Nickel Project, Queensland, Australia
Owner: Gladstone Pacific Nickel Ltd, Australia
Phases: Scoping Study, Prefeasibility Study, Definitive Feasibility Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, Atmospheric Leach (saprolite), MSP, POX, SX, H2 Reduction, Ni Briquettes

Sulawesi Nickel Project, Sulawesi, Indonesia
Owner: Rio Tinto Exploration Ltd
Phases: Scoping Study (multiple options)
Flowsheet: Base Case: HPAL, Atmospheric Leach (saprolite), MHP, Ammonia Leach, SX/EW
Alternative Cases:
HPAL, Atmospheric Leach (saprolite), MSP, POX, SX, H2 Reduction, Ni Briquettes
HPAL, Atmospheric Leach (saprolite), RIP, EW
HPAL, Atmospheric Leach (saprolite), Direct SX, EW

Çaldaĝ Nickel Project, Çaldaĝ, Turkey
Owner: European Nickel PLC, UK (Bosphorus Nickel, Turkey)
Phases: Prefeasibility Study, Bankable Feasibility Study
Flowsheet: Heap Leach, MHP

Murrin Murrin Nickel Operations, Western Australia
Owner: Minara Resources Ltd, Australia
Phases: Leach Autoclave Agitation Study (Kvaener Metals/CSIRO)
Flowsheet: HPAL, MSP, POX, SX, H2 Reduction, Ni Briquettes

Coral Bay Nickel Project, Palawan, Philippines
Owner: Sumitomo Metal Mining Co, Japan
Phases: Prefeasibility Study, Bankable Feasibility Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, MSP

Bulong Nickel Project, Western Australia
Owner: Bulong Nickel Ltd, Australia
Phases: Consultant for rectification studies
Flowsheet: HPAL, Direct SX, EW

Weda Bay Nickel Project, Halmahera, Indonesia
Owner: Weda Bay Minerals, Indonesia
Phases: Scoping Study, Prefeasibility Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, Atmospheric Leach (saprolite), MSP

Ramu Nickel Project, Madang, Papua-New Guinea
Owner: Highlands Pacific Ltd
Phases: Optimisation Studies, Preliminary Detailed Engineering
Flowsheet: HPAL, MHP, Ammonia Leach, SX/EW

Nonoc Nickel Project, Mindanao, Philippines
Owner: Philnico Industrial Corporation, Philippines
Phases: Prefeasibility Study, Bankable Feasibility Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, (Atmospheric Leach), MSP, POX, SX, H2 Reduction, Ni Briquettes

Ravensthorpe Nickel Project (pre BHP-B), Western Australia
Owner: Comet Resources NL, Australia
Phases: Bankable Feasibility Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, MSP, POX, SX/EW

Marlborough Nickel Project, Queensland, Australia
Owner: Preston Resources NL, Australia
Phases: Basic Engineering (HPAL Plant)
Flowsheet: HPAL, MHP, Ammonia Leach, SX/EW

Che Guevara Nickel Works, Punta Gorda, Cuba
Owner: Government of Cuba
Phases: Plant Upgrade
Flowsheet: Caron (Reduction roast, ammonia leach)

Companhia Niquel Tocantins, Sao Miguel Paulista, Brazil
Owner: Votorantim Metais
Phases: Plant Upgrade
Flowsheet: Acid Leach, SX/EW

QNI Yabulu Nickel Refinery, North Queensland, Australia
Owner: QNI Ltd (now BHP-Billiton)
Phases: Cobalt Refinery – post commissioning assistance
Flowsheet: Caron (Reduction roast, ammonia leach)

Pinares Nickel Project, WMC Resources, Cuba
Owner: WMC Resources, Australia
Phases: Scoping Study
Flowsheet: Various options reviewed including MHP and MSP. Calliope Nickel Project, Queensland, Australia
Owner: Calliope Metals Corporation, Canada / Australia
Phases: Scoping Study, Prefeasibility Study, Bankable Feasibility Study
Flowsheet: HPAL, (Atmospheric Leach), MSP, POX, SX, H2 Reduction, Ni Briquettes

Kwinana Nickel Refinery, Western Australia
Owner: WMC Ltd, Australia (now BHP-Billiton)
Phases: Operations roles, plant expansion
Flowsheet: Ammonia leach of nickel matte, Hydrogen Reduction, Nickel Briquettes

28/02/2026

The shortages center on rare earths such as yttrium and scandium.

11/02/2026

Quota cuts at Indonesia’s largest producer, PT Weda Bay Nickel, tighten supply as LME nickel extends a 20% rally.

Proud to have contributed to 2 very productive days as part of an elite team charged with shaping Australia's future dir...
12/02/2025

Proud to have contributed to 2 very productive days as part of an elite team charged with shaping Australia's future direction for critical minerals.

ANSTO's Science Meets Business Innovation Series webinar put the spotlight on critical minerals, highlighting how research and industry are able to collaborate in the effort to help unlock Australia’s critical minerals potential.

My mission this week.
09/02/2025

My mission this week.

08/11/2024

Perfect blank slate to build our Stage Two, Gladstone-based, state-of-the-art, 10-hectare manufacturing facility. 🏗️

Our HPA First Project will produce ultra-high purity aluminium products for key applications, including:
🔋 Lithium-ion batteries
💡 LEDs for display technology
💻 Semiconductors
💎 Synthetic sapphire production

The future is bright, and we’re proud to be playing a role in advancing innovation and sustainability in critical global industries.

Find out more about our facility 👉 https://alphahpa.com.au/projects/

16/09/2024
06/09/2024

Rimfire Pacific Mining (ASX: RIM) has released "highly encouraging" maiden scandium resource estimates for the Melrose and Murga North prospects within

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