Abstract: The invention provides a method for the recovery of a metal-containing product (MProd) comprising: providing a composite material comprising a matrix of oxidised reductant (RO), a product metal (MP) dispersed in the matrix of oxidised reductant (RO), and one or more metal compounds (MPCR) of the product metal (Mp) in one or more oxidation states dispersed in the matrix of oxidised reductant (RO); and treating the composite material to at least partially remove the one or more metal compounds (MPCR) from the matrix of oxidised reductant (RO) to form the metal-containing product (MProd).

Abstract: A method of producing a composite material comprising: supplying a metal compound (MPC) of a product metal (MP) and a reductant (R) capable of reducing the metal compound (MPC) of the product metal (MP) to a reactor; forming a composite material comprising a matrix of oxidised reductant (R0) of the reductant (R), the product metal (MP) dispersed in the matrix of oxidised reductant (R0), and at least one of (i) one or more metal compounds (MPCR) of the metal compound (MPC) in one or more oxidation states and (ii) the reductant (R); and recovering the composite material from the reactor, wherein the metal compound (MPC) of the product metal (MP) is fed to the reactor such that it is in excess relative to the reductant (R).

Abstract: A method of processing finely divided reactive particulates (RParticulate) and forming a product comprising: providing a composite material comprising finely divided reactive particulates (RParticulate) dispersed in a protective matrix; at least partially exposing the finely divided reactive particulates (RParticulate); and forming the product.

Abstract: A method of producing a composite material comprising: supplying a metal compound (MPC) of a product metal (MP) and a reductant (R) capable of reducing the metal compound (MPC) of the product metal (MP) to a reactor; forming a composite material comprising a matrix of oxidized reductant (R0) of the reductant (R), the product metal (MP) dispersed in the matrix of oxidized reductant (R0), and at least one of (i) one or more metal compounds (MPCR) of the metal compound (MPC) in one or more oxidation states and (ii) the reductant (R); and recovering the composite material from the reactor, wherein the metal compound (MPC) of the product metal (MP) is fed to the reactor such that it is in excess relative to the reductant (R).