Annual Meeting Preliminary Program - Full Brochure (PDF) - SME

TECHNICAL PROGRAM
the pulp interface in the tank to rise as air accumulates in the pulp. A uniform
bubble diameter of 0.7 mm is assumed. Air volume fraction contours, velocity
vectors and profiles are presented and discussed.
chair:
9:00 AM
Introductions
Mineral & Metallurgical Processing:
Plant design and optimization I
9:00 AM • Tuesday, February 26
J. Lommen, Consultant, Socorro, NM
9:05 AM
When Laboratory Work and Operating Plant Don’t Agree:
Commercializing the Caron Ammonia-ammonia Carbonate
Ni Process
L. Southwick; L.M. Southwick & Assoc., Cincinnati, OH
In the early 1940s, the Caron ammonia-ammonia carbonate leach process was
used to produce nickel from Mayari ores at the Nicaro plant in Oriente Province,
Cuba. While plant operation was generally successful, it was not broadly economical
and was shut down. The plant was later restarted in the 1950s and a
number of investigations initiated to resolve the more serious operational and
performance issues. Troublesome processing steps studied included iron reduction
(chemistry nickel and iron, reductant, equipment), ore variability (homogeneity
and consistency of mineral concentrations, serpentine vs. laterite), leach
solution strength, nickel recovery (temperature reduction and leaching, reoxidation)
and a variety of other topics. These studies and their findings will be discussed.
Caron himself obtained good results on these ores in the laboratory. They
could not be duplicated in the field, the reasons for which will be reviewed.
9:25 AM
Electrowinning Precious Metals from Cyanide Solution Using
EMEW Technology
M. Mooiman 1 , I. Ewart 2 and J. Robinson 2 ; 1 College of Graduate and
Professional Studies, Franklin Pierce University, Concord, NH and
2
Electrometals Technologies Ltd, O’ Fallon, MO
The recovery of gold and silver from cyanide bearing solutions using electrowinning
technology designed by Electrometals Corporation is reviewed. The technology
can be considered as a complete or partial replacement for Merrill Crowe
technology and offers several advantages in high grade solutions. It has been successfully
implemented in copper electrowinning applications, silver refining and
in mining operations for recovery of gold and silver. The advantages of the
EMEW approach and actual plant applications and practices are evaluated
and discussed.
9:45 AM
Best Practices in Material Selection and Design for
Hydrometallurgical Equipment
D. Kelley and T. Johnson; Ashland Inc, Dublin, OH
Hydrometallurgical processes can be exceptionally corrosive. Operating conditions
associated with metal extraction and refining require materials of construction
that can withstand process acids and acid chlorides at temperatures up to
90∞C. Process vessels, piping, scrubbers and ducting can be rapidly compromised
in these aggressive environments if not designed with great care. Design engineers
are frequently challenged to find materials of construction that can stand
up to hydrometallurgical processes especially for copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt and
uranium. This paper will evaluate a variety of material solutions to determine
which provide attractive economics for initial procurement as well as high durability
for reasonable life cycle costs. The comparative cost and durability information
presented is intended to enable design engineers and material specialists to
choose materials of construction that will be the most beneficial for their projects.
10:05 AM
25 Years of FRP Performance at a Copper Smelting
Sulfuric Acid Plant
R. Moubarac 1 , G. Landry 2 , G. Clarkson 3 and K. Townsend 4 ; 1 Experco
Composites Inc., Pierrefonds, QC, Canada; 2 Fabricated Plastics,
Maple, ON, Canada; 3 UTComp, Cambridge, ON, Canada and 4 RPS
Composites, Mahon Bay, NS, Canada
The sulfuric acid plant at a copper smelting operation in Northern Quebec will
celebrate its silver jubilee in 2013, with 25 years in service. The performance of
FRP (Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics) equipment will be reviewed. Case histories
will be presented by the FRP equipment manufacturers, with a video, and pictures
of the FRP tanks, absorption towers, piping, ducting, electrostatic precipitators,
and grating, in service since 1988. A report of the yearly inspections of that
equipment will be given by the inspection company.
10:25 AM
Molybdenum Flotation Practice – Cell Selection Types and
Design Considerations
D. Meadows, D. Jensen, A. Weber, F. Traczyk and S. Yu; FLSmidth,
Salt Lake City, UT
Several of the larger copper projects built in recent times have included a
Molybdenum byproduct circuit as part of the overall project due to the favorable
molybdenum market conditions and overall economic contribution to the project.
This paper provides a summary of moly plant flotation practices across a
number of both recent projects and historical ones. Modern Moly flotation flowsheets
predominantly incorporate either Inert gas cells or forced air machines
with nitrogen addition and as a final cleaner column flotation . The paper provides
an insight into the process considerations, capital and operating costs associated
with both of the cell types. It also reviews metallurgical aspects and important
safety aspects. Other aspects including instrumentation and degree of
automation are also discussed along with overall plant design aspects.
Mineral & Metallurgical Processing:
research and characterization
9:00 AM • Tuesday, February 26
chairs: T. Bhambhani, Cytec Industries, Inc., Stamford, CT
M. Vasudevan, Cytec Industries, Inc., Stamford, CT
9:00 AM
Introductions
9:05 AM
The Simulation of Solvent Extraction Plants: Application to the
Separation of Rare Earth Elements
C. Bazin and V. Ouellet; Mining and metallurgy, Laval University,
Quebec, QC, Canada
The separation of rare earth elements is a complicated process that is currently
carried out using liquid/liquid separation. Detailed flow sheets of solvent extraction
plants for the separation of rare earth elements are rarely available in the literature
which limits the opportunity to teach and test the applicability of modern
methods of data reconciliation and process control to these processes. A simulator
for solvent extraction for the separation of rare earth elements is described in this
paper. A module is used to simulate the operation of a mixer settler. Mixer settlers
are then combined into batteries of units for extraction, scrubbing and stripping.
Finally batteries are combined to simulate circuits for the separation of heavy rare
earth elements from light rare earth elements, and to simulate the separation of individual
rare earths. The program simulates the steady state process separation of
several rare earth elements and provides data for testing the application of data
reconciliation techniques for material balancing of the plant operation.
9:25 AM
Estimating the Residual Inventory of a Large Gold Heap Leach
J. Winterton; AngloGold Ashanti, Denver, CO
Estimating the residual metal inventory of large heap leaching operations is desirable
for many reasons. Several methods have been tried with limited success.
Drilling data from the Valley Leach Facility at AngloGold Ashanti’s Cripple
This is the Technical Program as of September 1, 2012. IT IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
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Please see the Onsite Program for final details.