MDE Minerals Consulting

MDE Minerals ConsultingMDE Minerals ConsultingMDE Minerals Consulting

Strategic geometallurgical consulting for the sustainable recovery of critical raw materials from mineral resources

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Advanced Exploration and early stage Engineering Projects

Value Proposition

MDE offers consulting services for robust NI43-101 based process design for Scoping, PEA and (P)FS level studies. Value generation is maximised by producing high-quality geomet data early on so that the right investment decisions can be made, driven by the best possible orebody knowledge. 

About MDE Minerals Consulting

Romke Kuyvenhoven, Senior Consultant, M.Sc., MBA

Romke Kuyvenhoven is MDE's senior consultant and has 25+ years of experience in geometallurgy and process development; she has been involved in applied research projects and engineering studies at scoping, PEA and PFS level. Her focus has been primarily on porphyry copper and IOCG deposits in the Atacama region. She is permanently based in Chile and fully bilingual English-Spanish. Almost three decades of professional activity in the region has given her a profound understanding of the Chilean culture and business climate, including extensive experience with NI43-101 reporting standards.

Testimonials

Nicolas Fuster, Senior Advisor Mining & Explorations, Chile

I have known Romke for over 20 years; and I have worked with her recently through MDE Mineral Consulting on due diligence processes for various projects and have frequently consulted her on technical aspects of geometallurgy and metallurgy. She is a high-caliber professional characterized by solid technical expertise, the ability to see beyond the obvious, and the courage to voice her opinions regarding the findings and results of the projects we have worked on. She possesses robust knowledge of the Chilean mining market and is punctual in meeting deadlines and adhering to budgets.

Steve Williams, Senior Metallurgist, Canada

Metallurgy is challenging. Romke has a great analytical thought process for tackling those metallurgical challenges. And when she doesn’t have the answers she knows where to go to seek those answers. That’s what you need for strong metallurgical leadership.

Marina Vargas Aleuy, Mineralogy Manager, Alfred H Knight, Chile

I have worked with MDE Minerals Consulting on various projects involving process mineralogy and data from techniques such as TIMA, XRD, and optical microscopy. I would highlight Romke’s technical expertise, her interdisciplinary approach, and her ability to combine a broad perspective with a detailed review, always fostering teamwork to achieve reliable results.

Brett Moldovan, VP Asset Development, The Netherlands

I have worked with MDE Minerals Consulting since 2025 on the evaluation of copper and cobalt projects in Chile. Romke combines exceptional geological expertise with a strong understanding of commercial project development and has an impressive ability to think critically and deeply evaluate opportunities, looking beyond the obvious to identify the key technical and commercial factors that ultimately drive project value. She consistently delivers technically rigorous, practical and well-written reports on time. Romke is highly collaborative, equally comfortable working in the field or with executive teams, and has become a trusted technical advisor to our organization.

Marcelo Jo, General Manager, MJO Ingeniería y Consultores, Chile

I have had the opportunity to work with MDE Minerals Consulting and with Romke in her role as a lead consultant in 2025, and I can attest to her professionalism and dedication. She is a wonderful example of a Dutch engineer who has truly embraced Chilean culture; she is highly attuned to her clients' needs and excels at building interpersonal relationships.

Confidential Client, Insurance Company, USA

We worked with Romke of MDE Minerals Consulting in 2026 on a due diligence exercise for a Chilean copper project, and her contribution was of significant value throughout. Romke brought a deep understanding of the Chilean copper market, and her grasp of its nuances allowed us to evaluate the project's economics on a far more realistic basis than we could have achieved otherwise. She was particularly effective at identifying subtleties within the 43-101 report and contextualizing them within the realities of Chilean mining. Her practical knowledge of how mines are actually built and operated — including current lead times for equipment and key processing inputs — added a layer of ground-level insight that was invaluable to our assessment. Beyond the technical work, Romke managed the engagement professionally, kept to agreed deadlines, and delivered a level of detail that met and surpassed our expectations. 

Niels Verbaan, VP Metallurgy, Namibia Critical Metals, Canada

I have known Romke for 25+ years and have always appreciated her combination of strong technical expertise, practical thinking, and deep understanding of the South American mining industry. She looks beyond the obvious, finds creative and realistic solutions to challenges, and keeps the big picture in mind without losing sight of the details.

Jaime Sepúlveda, Executive Director, J-Consultores Ltda, Chile

In 2021 I had the opportunity to work with Romke from MDE Minerals Consulting on the development of a comminution course for mining professionals across Latin America. I can confidently say that she possesses remarkable interpersonal skills and is enthusiastic, self-demanding, reliable, and detail-oriented, with high personal ethical standards.

Antony Amberg, Chief Geologist, Los Andes Copper, Chile

I worked with Romke between 2017 and 2019 when she undertook a comprehensive review of Los Andes Copper’s historical metallurgical test work. Her review identified several areas that had not previously been adequately evaluated, and she subsequently designed and implemented a targeted testing program to address these gaps. The work was consistently delivered on time and within budget, and the results formed an important basis for our pre-feasibility study. Romke brought a high level of technical expertise and practical judgement to the work throughout. 

Experience | Qualifications | Publications & Presentations

Experience
Qualifications
Publications & Presentations

Technical Expertise in Raw Materials Processing

Geometallurgy

Cobalt Recovery

Cobalt Recovery

  • HCH Costa Fuego Mineral Processing & Metallurgy Consulting
  • KGHM Explorations Prescoping study including geomet LX/flot work for Carrizalillo district development Cu/Au
  • Minera Santo Domingo FS-level Cu/Fe/Co plant development
  • Minera Vizcachitas Cu/Mo PEA level study
  • Anglo American Coarse Particle Recovery  
  • Antofagasta Minerals & CODELCO VCP Support for the development of the Corporate Guide on Geometallurgy 
  • Due diligence studies for various (confidential) private equity funds of early project development in Chile (Cu, Au, Co)
  • Geomet testwork management for Monterrico Metals/Rio Blanco, Barrick/Pascua Lama, Collahuasi, Chuquicamata, El Abra, Escondida, Candelaria, Los Pelambres, Andina, El Teniente at bench and pilot scale

Cobalt Recovery

Cobalt Recovery

Cobalt Recovery

  • Evaluation of cobalt potential for HCH Costa Fuego project, Atacama region, Chile (2023)
  • DD for Confidential Client: corroboration of cobalt potential as byproduct, Atacama Region (2023)
  • Development of cobalt recovery process at PFS level from copper tailings at Minera Santo Domingo (2021)
  • Astillas project, IOCG ore, Atacama region, possible reactivation of Cu plant with high Co in Cu tailings (2020)
  • Quantification of cobalt recovery from PLS and Cu tailings and the ENAMI plants in Vallenar and El Salado (2019)
  • Evaluation of cobalt recovery from Minera Vizcachitas copper tailings (2018)
  • La Estrella IOCG, preliminary process development for recovery of copper, iron as magnetite and cobalt (2018)

Due Diligence & Operational Improvement

Course instructions, thesis supervision & lectures

Course instructions, thesis supervision & lectures

  • Puquios Copper LX-SX-EW project development DD
  • Mina Ivan ex-Rayrock LX-SX-EW restart & expansion DD
  • Anglo American Los Bronces pyrite activation study
  • AMSA/Minera Los Pelambres SAG mill soft sensor development
  • BHP/Escondida Innovative process to enhance leachability of secondary and primary copper sulphides
  • CAP Minería/Pellet Plant Huasco Increased energy efficiency in magnetite concentration and pelletising process
  • BHP/Spence update of JKSimMet model and development of geochemical proxies for hardness prediction
  • Anglo American/El Soldado evaluation of water balance and impact of water quality on recovery in flotation

Course instructions, thesis supervision & lectures

Course instructions, thesis supervision & lectures

Course instructions, thesis supervision & lectures

  • Applied Geometallurgy course, Colegio de Geologos de Chile (2025; 2026)
  • NI43-101 based Chilean Case Studies in Geometallurgy course, class for UCN Master's students (2025; 2026)
  • Metcelerate young professionals training program development for Latin America (2022-2025)
  • Thesis Project Supervision at Chilean Universities since 2020, related to Coarse Particle Flotation (USACH); Water Recovery from Tailings (UTFSM); Enhance Energy Efficieny (UTFSM); Definition of Economic Potential of Cobalt in Pyrite (Universidad Mayor)
  • Lecturer of Mineral Processing course for 4th year engineering students at Universidad Técnica Federico Santa Maria, Valparaíso (2014-2019)

Qualifications: Education & Registrations

Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Earth Sciences

Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Earth Sciences

Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Earth Sciences

Delft University of Technology

Master of Science in Mining and Petroleum Engineering, 1991-1997

Tulane University USA, Freeman School of Business

Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Earth Sciences

Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Earth Sciences

Freeman School of Business

Double Degree Master's in Business Administration, Universidad de Chile & Freeman School of Business, 2006-2008

Universidad de Chile, Faculty of Economics and Business

Delft University of Technology, Faculty of Applied Earth Sciences

Universidad de Chile, Faculty of Economics and Business

Universidad de Chile, Faculty of Economics and Business

Double Degree Master's in Business Administration, Universidad de Chile & Freeman School of Business, 2006-2008

Mining Engineering Department, Universidad de Chile

Formally registered QP at the "Comisión Minera" in Chile

Universidad de Chile, Faculty of Economics and Business

Universidad de Chile, Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences

Graduate diploma in Geo-Mining-Metallurgy, Universidad de Chile, 2017-2018

Formally registered QP at the "Comisión Minera" in Chile

Formally registered QP at the "Comisión Minera" in Chile

Formally registered QP at the "Comisión Minera" in Chile

Comision Minera de Chile

Formally registered as Qualified Person at the Comision Minera de Chile with registration number # 330. 

IAC Certified Ontological & Organizational Coach

Formally registered QP at the "Comisión Minera" in Chile

Formally registered QP at the "Comisión Minera" in Chile

Master coach in Ontological and Organizational Coaching, CMG Consultores Chile, 2022-2024

Recent publications & presentations

TU Delft 2025 - The Netherlands

TU Delft 2025 - The Netherlands

TU Delft 2025 - The Netherlands

The cost of not-knowing: why technical expertise is critical for the security of supply of resources. Authors: Romke Kuyvenhoven

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SAIMM 2023, Zambia

TU Delft 2025 - The Netherlands

TU Delft 2025 - The Netherlands

 Geometallurgy of Cobaltiferous Copper Ores of the Chilean Iron Belt.  Authors: Romke Kuyvenhoven & Brian Townley

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Weir Eriez 2023, Chile

TU Delft 2025 - The Netherlands

Weir Eriez 2023, Chile

Plantas Concentradoras del Futuro. Author: Romke Kuyvenhoven

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IAGS 2022, Chile

Minexcellence 2017 - Santiago

Weir Eriez 2023, Chile

Geometallurgy of Cobaltiferous Copper
Ores of the Chilean Iron Belt. Author: Romke Kuyvenhoven

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Flotation 2019 - Cape Town

Minexcellence 2017 - Santiago

Minexcellence 2017 - Santiago

ICP-MS-LA images

Challenges and opportunities for cobalt recovery at copper plants. Authors: Romke Kuyvenhoven and Brian Townley

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Minexcellence 2017 - Santiago

Minexcellence 2017 - Santiago

Minexcellence 2017 - Santiago

The role of electrochemistry in making a mining business work: Why adequate particle liberation is not enough. Authors:   

Romke Kuyvenhoven and Massimiliano Zanin

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Publications and Presentations

2025 TUDelft The cost of not knowing and the need for technical expertise (pdf)

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2023 SAIMM presentation Geometallurgy of Cobalt in Chile (pdf)

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2023 WEIR Presentacion Plantas Concentradoras del Futuro (pdf)

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2023 Lithocaps Presentation SPA Process Mineralogy and Cobalt Potential (pdf)

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2022 IAGS Presentation ENG Geometallurgy Cobaltiferous Copper Ores Iron Belt Chile (pdf)

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2020 Improved Energy Efficiency in Grinding Magnetite Plant (pdf)

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2019 Challenges and opportunities for cobalt recovery at copper plants (pdf)

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2018 Geometallurgical characterization of Vizcachitas CuMo ore (pdf)

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2017 The role of electrochemistry in making a mining business work (pdf)

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Contact information

MDE Minerals Consulting

Santiago de Chile

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Bienvenidos

Romke Kuyvenhoven da inicio a su propia empresa consultora a fines del año 2021, enfocada en la utilización de procesos metalúrgicos sustentables y el modelamiento geometalúrgico robusto, con el fin de asegurar el desarrollo exitoso de proyectos mineros nuevos y proyectos de expansión en la región Andina. Solicita mas información por email si te interesa, para ver como MDE Consulting puede ayudar. 

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