ALBION PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY ORES Duncan Turner (Core Resources) Mike Hourn (Xstrata Technology) 1
Presentation Topics • Overview of Albion Process • Fine Grinding - IsaMill • Sulphide Oxidation - Albion Process • Commercial Plant - Flowsheet & Equipment • Capital & Operating Costs • Project Updates • Project Development Program 2
Albion Process Overview 3
Albion Process Overview • Combination of Fine Grinding and Atmospheric Oxidative Leaching to breakdown sulphide minerals (e.g. pyrite) to make refractory gold available for cyanide leaching Stirred Mills Atmospheric Pressure Feed P 80 ~75 µm Temperature ~95 o C Product P 80 10-12 µm Oxygen Injection ~20-30 hours 4
Albion Process Overview • Leaching of sulphides minerals often yield by-products and precipitates that passivate or blind the mineral surface as the minerals dissolve. • Passivation normally complete when precipitate layer is 2-3 µ m thick. • The combination of fine grinding and Albion Process leach conditions overcomes passivation of mineral surfaces by precipitates allowing sulphide oxidation to continue to the desired extent Mineral particle size of P 80 8-12 µ m prevents passivation Temperature and pH regime of Neutral Albion Process leach results in low density precipitates that passivate slowly Unleached 9 micron Leached particle Particle with over 96 % volume dissolution 5
Albion Process Overview • Developed in 1994 originally by MIM Holding Limited 6
Albion Process Overview • MIM Holding focused on own projects with Albion Process a strategic technology to their gold business and project acquisition opportunities/targets • 2004 - Xstrata PLC bought MIM Holdings with Xstrata more involved in base metal projects • 2005 - Albion Process launched by Xstrata Technology with the technology then available outside of Xstrata Group • 2005 - Core Resources became global marketing agent for Albion Process • Late 2005 - first licence issued for Las Lagunas Project • Late 2006 - second licence issued for Certej Project 7
Albion Process Overview • Process is patented worldwide Australian Patent No. 700850 (Acid Albion Process) Australian Patent No. 744356 (Neutral Albion Process) • Two licenses issued • One plant under construction to be commissioned early 2011 • Other projects in advanced stages of testing and engineering Las Lagunas Project Dominican Republic 8
Albion Process Overview • Xstrata Technology are the technology providers for Albion Process equipment Albion Process Reactor including design and supply of mechanically agitated modular and field erected tanks Oxygen injection technology (HyperSparge) Process control, instrumentation and automation • Suppliers of other technologies: • Located in Brisbane, Australia • www.xstratatech.com 9
Albion Process Overview • Core Resources Pty Ltd - global marketing agents • Testwork conducted at hrl testing (Brisbane, only accredited lab) www.coreresources.com.au www.albionprocess.com www.hrltesting.com 10
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