Rediscover Slags:
Mines Without the Mining
We are a process development team that explores the hidden potential in industrial slags through expert characterization—turning overlooked waste into a blueprint for resource recovery.
Insights That De-Risk Recovery
Slags are not waste — they are opportunities. Our approach reveals value before any metallurgy begins.
Characterization Unlocks Value
Using techniques like ICP-OES, we map compositions (e.g., Zn up to 13.8%, Cu 1.14% in tested samples), addressing heterogeneity to highlight commercial viability.
Metallurgy Breakthroughs
Once characterized, innovative processes dissolve metals efficiently — equilibrium in hours, not days — reducing mass by up to 87% and removing toxics like 93% As.
No Mining Risks
Precise, measurable resources ready for the energy transition — no 15–20 year lead times and no geological gambles.
Sample Insight: ASARCO Composition
Illustrative data to show the kind of insights generated through characterization.
Major Elements
Trace Elements
Sample composition shown for illustration only.
People Behind 5QXT
We are a process development company that partners with operators to move from ideas to practical, testable recovery routes. Our team blends metallurgy, analytical chemistry, and operations know-how to de-risk slag valorization with real samples and real results.
We work hands-on: sampling, preparing, mapping compositions, and translating data into actionable process decisions. The goal is simple—help you understand what you have, what it is worth, and what steps will move it toward recovery.
Slags solve a global challenge
Traditional mining is slow, expensive, and risky. Slags are already above ground, quantified, and ready for smart recovery.
The Metals Supply Gap
Traditional mining cannot keep pace with the demand driven by the energy transition and electromobility.
Costs and Energy
Current extraction methods are energy-intensive and require extremely high CAPEX (capital expenditure).
Critical Timelines
Mining is slow: it takes an average of 15 to 20 years from discovery to production.
Legacy Technology
We still use outdated methods: leaching (50+ years) and froth flotation (120+ years old).
Geological Inefficiency
The industry faces declining ore grades, inefficient processes, and deposits that are costly to develop.
Process Development, Not Just Ideas
We build practical recovery paths. From characterization to flowsheet decisions, we design processes that are measurable, scalable, and aligned with your operational reality.
Define the Route
We map the slag variability and define the most promising recovery route before you spend on metallurgy.
Test and Iterate
Bench-scale tests confirm dissolution, selectivity, and kinetics so every step is grounded in data.
Deliver Pilot-Ready Insights
We translate results into clear decisions: recovery potential, constraints, and next steps.
The Key to Unlocking Hidden Mines
Slag characterization is where it starts: a deep dive into composition reveals the metals waiting to be freed. It seems straightforward — a problem of analysis and metallurgy — but solving it unleashes resources on a massive scale.
- Grinding, homogenization, and screening for accurate profiling.
- Elemental mapping (majors like Zn, Cu; traces like As, Pb) to spot opportunities and mitigate risks like heterogeneity.
- Kinetic insights showing fast, efficient dissolution — proving slags can rival traditional ores without the risks.
Slags as Risk-Free Resources
Traditional mining faces declining grades and high costs, but slags offer a different path: no drilling, no uncertainty — just existing material ready for smart recovery.
Through characterization, we demonstrate how metallurgy innovations can extract 90%+ of key metals, turning environmental challenges into economic wins.
A Greener Path to Metals
By focusing on slags, we're addressing the global supply crunch sustainably. Characterization highlights low-impact potential: mass reduction, toxic removal, and integration into circular economies.
It's the idea that could add 20–40% to metal output from what's already here — all without new environmental disruption.
Join the Conversation
Curious about your slag's potential? Reach out to discuss ideas.
Why reach out?
- Request a free slag characterization
- Discuss potential recovery routes
- Learn about our process development
- Explore partnership opportunities