FAQ & Legal Disclosures

The minimum lot size for bench sweeps, complex alloys, liquid wastes, and rolled gold or dental alloys is 250 grams. For karat gold scrap and sterling silver scrap, there is no stated minimum, however small lots below 250g may be assessed for viability at the time of enquiry. If you are unsure whether your lot qualifies, submit an enquiry and we will advise you accordingly.

Recovery is calculated against the assayed net metal content of your lot — not the gross weight submitted. INQmetals charges no hidden assay deductions and no opaque melt-loss percentages. The recovery fee is applied only to the refined metal value returned to you. All figures are disclosed in the pro-forma invoice prior to processing. You will know exactly what you will receive before any work commences.

Standard processing turnaround is 10–15 business days from receipt of your lot, subject to lot complexity and current queue volumes. Complex alloys, liquid waste streams, and cadmium or lead-bearing materials may require additional time for sequestration and safe disposal. You will be advised of expected timelines in your pro-forma invoice. Rush processing is not available at this time.

Submit an enquiry via the Services page. Describe the nature and estimated weight of your material. INQmetals will respond with a pro-forma invoice. Upon your acceptance, you will receive packaging and shipping instructions. Do not ship any lot without a confirmed pro-forma — unannounced materials cannot be accepted.

INQmetals operates under a Second-Hand Goods Dealers Licence and is a registered reporting entity with AUSTRAC under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006. We are legally required to verify the identity of all clients before processing any lot. This is not discretionary. Identity documentation is held in encrypted, secure storage for a minimum of seven years as required by law. We do not store identity documents on this website or in any public-facing system.

INQmetals accepts karat gold scrap, sterling silver scrap, rolled gold, coin silver, dental alloys, bench sweeps, complex metal alloys, and liquid wastes containing precious metals. We also handle hazardous waste streams including cadmium, arsenic, lead, and mercury-bearing materials — these are processed under sequestration and disposal protocols, not recovery. We do not accept radioactive materials, biological waste, or unclassified unknown substances.

No. INQmetals’ refining processes are designed specifically to eliminate the use of cyanide and to produce no harmful gas or liquid effluent emissions. This is a core operational principle — not a marketing claim. Our hydrometallurgical methods are under active development and are currently in the patent application process. We do not disclose proprietary process details, but the commitment to responsible, non-cyanide recovery is absolute.

Refined metal is returned in the form agreed at the time of enquiry — typically as grain, shot, or bar, depending on the metal and lot size. Return is via registered, insured courier at the client’s cost. INQmetals does not offer a cash payment option at point of collection. All transactions are processed via pro-forma invoice and electronic transfer only.

The INQmetals facility is not open to walk-in visits. Lab access is restricted to staff and approved personnel for safety and chain-of-custody integrity reasons. Documentation of laboratory processes and development is published in The Lab section of this website. If you have a specific research or partnership enquiry, contact us via the Contact page.

INQmetals holds the identity documentation you provide for KYC compliance for a minimum of seven years as required by AUSTRAC. Contact and transaction records are held for the same period. You have the right to enquire about the specific data held about you. To exercise your data rights, submit a written request via the Contact page. We do not sell, share, or distribute personal data to any third party outside of our statutory reporting obligations.