Urban mines: How Magaldi recovers silver and other metals

07 March 2024

Urban mines: How Magaldi recovers silver and other metals

The MADAM system combines two critical processes: the dry extraction process and the ash treatment process.
The dry extraction process is carried out through the Ecobelt® WA (Waste Ash) system. Recognized as the Best Available Technology (BAT) by the European Union in 2019, this technology for the dry extraction of bottom ash helps reduce the environmental impact of the waste-to-energy process by eliminating the use of water, traditionally employed for ash extraction and cooling. 
In addition to the environmental benefits related to water savings, the Ecobelt® WA system offers a more sustainable and cost-effective approach to ash management, reducing landfilling costs. Moreover, it significantly contributes to establishing a sustainable circular economy model by facilitating the recovery of a larger quantity and higher quality of metals, including ferrous, non-ferrous, and precious metals found in the Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA). 

Magaldi has developed the MADAM system to fully leverage dry extraction's possibilities. The aim is to achieve an integrated IBA management through a completely "dry" approach. Dry ash extraction has proven to be key for more efficient metal recovery from the inert fraction. The absence of water prevents the agglomeration of fines on metals, allowing for better separation from the ashes. By also treating the finest ash particles, over 90% of the metals can be recovered.

"We firmly believe that MADAM is the right answer to overcome water scarcity, the need to enhance the effects of urban mining, and to reduce the overall CO2 emissions associated with the industry" said Paolo Magaldi, CEO of the Group, who is exporting his technologies as far as Asia. 

Read the full article on Milano Finanza

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