hydrometallurgy

[ hahy-druh-met-l-ur-jee ]

noun

1. the technique or process of extracting metals at ordinary temperatures by leaching ore with liquid solvents.

hydrometallurgy

/ -mɛˈtælədʒɪ; ˌhaɪdrəʊˈmɛtəˌlɜːdʒɪ /

noun

1. a technique for the recovery of a metal from an aqueous medium in which the metal or the gangue is preferentially dissolved

Derived Forms

• ˌhydroˌmetalˈlurgical, adjective

Other Words From

• hydro·metal·lurgi·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hydrometallurgy¹

First recorded in 1885–90; hydro- ¹ + metallurgy