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(MERAF) for the Base Metals Smelting Sector - CCME

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The blister copper is <strong>the</strong>n treated in an anode refining furnace <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> removal of<br />

most of <strong>the</strong> small quantities of oxygen and sulphur dissolved in <strong>the</strong> copper. The<br />

refined copper is cast into anodes which <strong>the</strong>n have <strong>the</strong> proper composition and<br />

shape <strong>for</strong> electrorefining. Anodes are currently shipped to an external electrolytic<br />

refinery <strong>for</strong> <strong>the</strong> final refining step. Anode production capacity is approximately<br />

80,000 tonnes per year.<br />

3.2.3.2. Zinc plant<br />

Zinc concentrates are processed in <strong>the</strong> zinc pressure leaching facility along with<br />

zinc ferrite residue from <strong>the</strong> <strong>for</strong>mer calcine leaching circuit.<br />

The zinc concentrate is reground and transferred to <strong>the</strong> two stage pressure<br />

leaching process in which partially neutralized returned acid is used to leach<br />

fresh concentrates. Then <strong>the</strong> partially leached concentrates are leached with<br />

fresh return acid. The second stage pressure leach underflow is filtered and<br />

washed be<strong>for</strong>e being directed to an impoundment area. This material may be<br />

treated in <strong>the</strong> future <strong>for</strong> ei<strong>the</strong>r sulphur or precious metals recovery or both.<br />

The pressure leach liquor is partially neutralized by zinc hydroxide sludge in a<br />

Gypsum Removal.<br />

Copper is removed from <strong>the</strong> partially neutralized pressure leach liquor by<br />

cementation with zinc dust.<br />

This copper removal liquor is <strong>the</strong>n transferred <strong>for</strong> fur<strong>the</strong>r neutralization to<br />

precipitate residual iron.<br />

The iron removal liquor is <strong>the</strong>n purified with zinc dust and transferred to<br />

electrowinning wherein <strong>the</strong> zinc is electrodeposited on cathodes, regenerating<br />

sulphuric acid.<br />

The zinc is removed from <strong>the</strong> cathode, <strong>the</strong>n melted, alloyed, and cast <strong>for</strong> sale.<br />

Return acid (spent electrolyte) from electrowinning is recycled to <strong>the</strong> pressure<br />

leaching stages, and to <strong>the</strong> atmospheric Ferrite Leach step. The latter treats a<br />

stockpile of ferrite residue. The upgraded ferrite leach residue is treated in <strong>the</strong><br />

copper smelter <strong>for</strong> precious metal recovery while ferrite leach liquor is directed to<br />

<strong>the</strong> first stage pressure leach.<br />

Zinc-rich dust from <strong>the</strong> copper smelter and zinc casting plant dross are passed<br />

through a kiln <strong>for</strong> halogen removal and <strong>the</strong>n leached in a small quantity of return<br />

acid.<br />

The dust leach liquor is combined with wash liquors, and contacted with lime in<br />

<strong>the</strong> waste water treatment circuit to recover zinc as a zinc hydroxide sludge. This<br />

sludge is recycled to <strong>the</strong> gypsum removal and iron removal steps to be used <strong>for</strong><br />

neutralizing.<br />

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