SIMPLICITY IN LEACHING
The Albion Process™ is a proprietary process for treating refractor
oxidative leaching at atmospheric pressure. It allows metals to be r
liberating metals in the feed. The Albion Process™ was developed
Key steps in the Albion Process™
WHY CHOOSE
ALBION PROCESS™?
• Atmospheric
leaching, with no
need for pressure
or bacterial
leaching
• Significantly
lower capital and
operating costs
• Proven
technology based
on operational
and process
engineering
expertise
• Suited to
refractory
precious and
base metals
• Easily integrated
with CIP/CIP and
other processes
• Converts arsenic
minerals to
environmentally
stable products,
no S02 formation
• Efficient capture
of oxygen in
process
• High metal
recovery
• Simple to operate
THE CONCENTRATE IS
FINELY GROUND UNDER
ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS
Fine grinding in energy-efficient
IsaMills™ introduces a high degree
of strain into the sulphide mineral
lattice, increasing the number of
grain boundary fractures in the
mineral. It also prevents passivation
of the leaching surface, as the
mineral disintegrates before the
precipitate becomes thick enough to
form a passive layer.
SLURRY IS LEACHED IN
ALBION LEACH REACTORS
VIA HYPERSPARGE™
After the concentrate has been
finely ground, the slurry is leached
in Albion Leach Reactors. Oxygen
is introduced into the Albion
Leach Reactors via HyperSparge™,
leaching the slurry by oxidizing the
sulphide minerals.
Albion Leach Reactor
MINERAL IS RECOVERED
THROUGH CONVENTIONAL
PROCESSES
Once leached, the slurry is passed
into conventional processes to
recover the mineral, while the
tailings are treated for disposal.
Any arsenic minerals are converted
into ferric arsenates or other stable
compounds so they can be safely
stored in tailings.
Conventional downstream metal recovery
ory concentrates using a combination of ultrafine grinding and
recovered by conventional means by oxidizing sulphides and
d in 1994 by Glencore Technology, and is patented worldwide.
Proven, proprietary technologies
The advanced technologies involved in the Albion Process™ are all designed
by Glencore Technology, and provide simple, robust operation.
The Albion Leach Reactor
is an agitated vessel
using centrally located
dual hydrofoil impellers.
Oxygen is introduced
via HyperSparge™
to the leach slurry at
supersonic velocity to
maximise mass transfer
efficiency and ensure
efficient oxidation of the
sulphides. The Albion
Leach Reactors are based
on the modular and easy
to install ZipaTank™
technology.
IsaMill™ is a large-scale,
energy-efficient intensity
grinding technology. It
optimises conditions for
good leach recovery by
producing a very sharp
size distribution in open
circuit. Open circuit
operation provides
good slurry density for
the leaching circuit,
simplifying water
balance and minimizing
capital cost.
ZipaTank™ is a modular
tank design with bolted
joins meaning no site
welding. The tanks are
rapid to install requiring
minimal skilled labour.
The tanks are relocatable
if required. The
ZipaTank™ is typically
15% lower cost than a
welded tank (including
installation).
HyperSparge™ is a
proven, cost-effective
sparging system for
delivering air, oxygen or
other gases for leaching
or oxidation processes. It
injects a supersonic jet of
gas, which creates high
local shear rates and fine
bubbles, resulting in very
efficient mass transfer
and oxygen utilisation.
The HyperSparge™
can be inserted and
removed from a full tank
minimising downtime.
“The use of atmospheric pressure leaching offers considerable
capital cost savings over alternative technologies.”
– GeoProMining, ‘A new lease of life’, Mining Magazine, September 2013
ONGOING SERVICE AND SUPPORT
ABOUT GLENCORE TECHNOLOGY
Glencore Technology prides itself on delivering
comprehensive, end-to-end support for its products,
from initial design to after-market support. We
strive to develop enduring relationships, so
that customers can be confident of receiving the
support they need to enjoy outstanding, enduring
performance from the Albion Process™.
Glencore Technology develops, markets and
supports technologies for the global mining,
mineral processing and metals extraction industries.
Glencore Technology is a wholly owned subsidiary
of the Glencore group, operating in Australia,
Russia, Chile, South Africa, Canada, China and
the UK.
WHO SHOULD USE
ALBION PROCESS™
Albion Process™ is
a proven solution
for plants involved
in the processing of
precious and base
metal concentrates,
including zinc,
copper, refractory
silver and
refractory gold.
It is suited to
the oxidation of
sulphide ores and
concentrates for
the recovery of
copper, cobalt,
nickel and zinc or
the downstream
recovery of gold,
silver, PGM’s,
lead, sulphur and
molybdenum.
It is a robust and
simple process, and
can treat highly
variable feed
containing many
target elements.
Byproducts
are recovered,
maximising value
from the feed.
Albion Process™ in action
Refractory gold
ARARAT PROCESSING PLANT,
GPM GOLD, ARMENIA
• Gold hosted in pyrite and
arsenopyrite
• Fully designed, supplied and
commissioned in June 2014 by
Glencore Technology
Bulk zinc/lead
sulphide concentrate
NORDENHAM, GERMANY
• Commissioned in 2011
• Throughput 36,000 tpa concentrate,
producing 16,000 tpa zinc metal at
99% recovery
• Producing 120 kozpa gold at 98%
gold recovery
• HyperSparge™ technology used for
oxygen injection
• 14 week commissioning
• Integrated into existing zinc refinery
• HyperSparge™ technology used for
oxygen injection
• Produce metal without roasters
• ZipaTank™ technology used for leach
reactors and storage vessels
• Lead and silver recovered and
processed
Refractory silver/gold
LAS LAGUNAS,
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
• Commissioned in 2012 and producing
80 kozpa gold, 350 kozpa silver
• Refractory gold hosted in pyrite
• HyperSparge™ technology used for
oxygen injection
Support from project
evaluation to full
plant production.
ABOUT GLENCORE
Glencore is one of the world’s largest global
diversified natural resource companies and
a major producer and marketer of more
than 90 commodities. We employ around
181,000 people across more than 150 mining
and metallurgical sites, oil production
assets and agricultural facilities.
With a strong footprint in both established
and emerging regions for natural
resources, Glencore’s industrial and
marketing activities are supported by a
global network of more than 90 offices
located in over 50 countries.
Our customers are industrial consumers,
such as those in the automotive, steel,
power generation, oil and food processing
industries. We also provide financing,
logistics and other services to producers
and consumers of commodities.
More information is available at
www.glencore.com
Zero
SO2 emissions
18 months
from design to commissioning
Greater than
%
98
Residue passes TCLP
leachability levels
allowing safe disposal
Low capital and
operating costs
Plant recovery of
Au, Cu, Zn and Ni
Treats variable
low grade and
contaminated feed
Modular,
small footprint
Simple to construct and operate
www.albionprocess.com
www.glencoretechnology.com
Glencore operates mines throughout the world.
Tough testing grounds that make our process technologies the best on earth.
CONTACT
Glencore Technology Pty Ltd
Level 10, 160 Ann St
Brisbane QLD 4000
Australia
Chile · Tel +56 2 3242 9000
Canada · Tel +1 604 453 4441
South Africa · Tel +27 82 441 7482
Europe · Tel +44 771 356 3353
Russia & CIS · Tel +7 916 710 8993
D10_GLT2623B_10/15
Tel +61 7 3833 8500
Fax +61 7 3833 8555
Email [email protected]