ote outotec hydrometallurgical copper plants and p

7/25/2019 OTE Outotec Hydrometallurgical Copper Plants and P

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OUTOTEC HYDROMETALLURGICALCOPPER PLANTS AND PROCESSES

BENEFITS• Excellent references

• Tailored, optimized technology solu-tions from raw material to nishedproducts

• One-stop shop concept: testing-engineering-process–equipment–automation-services

• Unique combination of expertise andlaboratory facilities

• Process guarantees

• Environmentally friendly

Our expertise and experience provide the path to opti-mized technology solutions and complete plants for theproduction of high-quality copper, from a wide rangeof copper raw materials. Outotec supplies innovative

and proven leaching, precipitation, solution purification,solvent extraction and electrowinning technologies, aswell as concentrator, smelter, acid and electrolytic refiningplants.

Outotec offers unique technology solutions including labo-ratory testing, engineering and delivering proven plants,processes, equipment and automation, as well as serviceand technical support. We also work together with ourcustomers to continuously develop our technologies andprocesses. Outotec is committed to delivering environ-mentally sustainable solutions, from single pieces of

equipment to entire turnkey plants. Customer needs andthe unique characteristics of the raw materials are at theheart of our process design.



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Outotec operates globally through an extensive network ofsales and service centers. We provide our customers withworld-leading technologies with an unrivalled combina-tion of process expertise, equipment and services. Our

main focus is on developing and delivering technologysolutions and services for the mining, metallurgy andchemical process industries. Our selection of tech-nologies is based on long experience, laboratory testprograms and engineering studies.

We continuously strive to build long-term relationshipswith our customers, ensuring that they receive the verybest solutions possible for their operating environment.Our expertise covers the whole chain of copper produc-tion, from concentrator to finished copper product.Involving us in your projects at an early stage ensures you

get the most profitable and competitive solutions.

Caring for the environmentOutotec is committed to working together with ourcustomers in designing our copper technologies tominimize their environmental impact. We strive to makeeffective use of raw materials, generate only stableor re-usable residue, and minimize water and energyconsumption. Our involvement offers customers thepossibility to enhance their production processes andminimize their operating costs and environmental impactthroughout the lifetime of the plant. We design the mostfavorable and environmentally sustainable solution foryour operating conditions. Outotec copper technolo-gies naturally comply with environmental legislation andrequirements.

Tailor-made solutions and process guaranteesthrough metallurgical testingTesting customers’ raw materials enables the selectionof technology and tailoring. Outotec’s in-house researchcenters have unique expertise, research facilities and pilotplants, from test bench to industrial scale, well-equippedlaboratories and an extensive network of researchsubcontractors.

Laboratory and pilot plant testing enables us to defineoptimized production processes and equipment as well asbleed treatments and impurity handling processes.

Extensive know-how, good references, laboratory testingand process simulation – the Outotec way of working –ensure you will have an optimized process with processguarantees.

Outotec has extensive facilities for studying customers’raw materials at industrial scales, covering concentrator,

smelting, roasting and hydrometallurgy technologies andequipment. We also have extensive expertise in chloridehydrometallurgy and materials, based on expertise, long-term test programs and studies.

A COMMITTED PARTNER FROM THE START

Outotec offers:• Innovative and proven technologies• Laboratory test programs and pilot test

campaigns• Scoping and feasibility studies• Basic and detailed engineering• Proprietary and key equipment supply• Process automation and instrumentation• Turnkey plants• Training, commissioning and start-up

services• Operation and maintenance services• Spare parts• Plant audits, retrofits and equipment

upgrades



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OUTOTEC COPPERTECHNOLOGIESBeneciation:• Copper ore concentrating• Copper slag concentrating

Leaching:• Copper ore leaching• Copper concentrate leaching, ferric or

chloride leaching, with gold recovery•

Smelter flue dust treatment• Copper oxide leaching

Solution purication:• Solvent extraction• Iron precipitation• Sulfide precipitation• Gypsum/sulfate removal• Iron residue stabilization

Copper roasting technologies:• Partial roasting• Gas cleaning• Electric furnace smelting

Pyrometallurgical copper technologies:• Flash smelting• Flash converting• Fire refining• Direct-to-blister flash smelting• Ausmelt smelting• Anode furnace treatment and casting• Slag cleaning furnaces• Gas cleaning• TROF converting

Recycling of copper materials:•

Copper-containing smelter dust• Utilization of copper scrap• Recovering copper from tailings areas

Copper recovery:• Copper cathodes via electrowinning• Precipitation of copper or by-products• Copper cathodes via electrolytic refining

Precious metals plantSulfuric acid plantEfuent treatmentServices

Outotec Process EquipmentOutotec Process Automation and Analyzers

LEACHING

OUTOTEC COPPER HYDROMETALLURGY

Pressure leaching

Chloride leaching

Ferric leaching

Oxide leaching

Primary

copper

sulfides

Secondary

copper

sulfides

METAL RECOVERY

Copper electro-

winning

Silver cementation

Gold cementation

LEACH SOLUTION TREATMENT

Silver solvent

extraction

Gold solvent

extraction

Copper solvent

extraction

Precipitation

Development, Engineering, Construction, Commissioning, Services

Copper

oxide



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Outotec is the technology provider who offers technolo-gies and equipment for the whole copper production chainfrom the mine to metal; from single pieces of equipmentto turnkey plant delivery. We have several process optionsto choose from, with a global reputation for premiertechnology. The possibility of combining pyrometallurgicaland hydrometallurgical copper production technologiesensures our customers the best return on their invest-ment. Our experts have broad and deep metallurgical

Outotec Hydrometallurgical Equipment:• Outotec OKTOP® Reactors for atmospheric

and pressure leaching• Outotec® Thickeners• Outotec Larox® Filters• Outotec® Scrubbers• Outotec® Cooling Towers• Outotec VSF® Solvent Extraction• Outotec® Tankhouse Equipment• Courier® and OTI® Analyzers• PROSCON® Process Control System• Process instrumentation and electrification

FROM RAW MATERIALS TO END PRODUCTSexperience and knowledge, which ensures optimized andreliable process solutions suitable for a customers’ rawmaterial. Outotec has a wide range of technologies forleaching copper ores, concentrates, flue dust and tailings.

Using either atmospheric or pressure leaching processestypically connected to solvent extraction and electrowin-ning to produce cathodes, valuable by-products, such asgold and silver, will be also recovered efficiently.



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EFFICIENT LEACHING TECHNOLOGY FOR COPPER, SILVER AND GOLD

Outotec offers an extensive selection of leaching tech-nologies, including leaching of copper-bearing mate-rials, ores and concentrates in atmospheric sulfate andmixed sulfate-chloride environments associated with the

recovery of copper, silver and gold through hydrometallur-gical processes.

Secondary copper sulde leachingLeaching of secondary copper sulfide ore, such as chal-cocite or covellite, is applied for challenging ore typeswhich are difficult to process efficiently using conventionalmethods. The process selection depends solely on thecharacteristics of the ore. Based on thorough researchand testing, Outotec has developed an atmospheric directleaching process for secondary copper ores. The ore isprocessed directly without flotation, avoiding the loss of

copper. Copper is leached in atmospheric reactors in asingle leaching stage and copper is recovered from thepregnant leach solution using conventional solvent extrac-tion. The process is designed and engineered for safeoperation and minimal environmental impact.

The benefits of atmospheric leaching of copper ore arethe recovery of copper without concentration, avoidingloss of copper in tailings, processing low-grade copperminerals, handling difficult impurities and utilizingexisting technologies in downstream processing.

Atmospheric sulfate-chloride leachingCopper feed materials containing primary copper sulfides,like chalcopyrite, can be processed in the presence ofchlorides. Outotec’s mixed sulfate-chloride leaching

technology enables efficient recovery of copper from chal-lenging raw materials with impurities which may preventthe utilization of conventional pyrometallurgical technolo-gies. Impurities such as arsenic are converted into stableiron-arsenic compounds at the leaching stage. Solutionpurification and metallic copper recovery are based onproven Outotec solvent extraction and electrowinningtechnologies.

Whenever feed material contains precious metals likegold and silver, they will be recovered as well. Silverleaching takes place at the copper leaching stage. Gold

is leached in a separate step where bromide is added toenhance gold leaching. Both metals are recovered usingsolvent extraction.

Pressure leachingPressure leaching is an alternative for copper ores orconcentrates when the acid generated is needed, forexample in copper oxide leaching. Outotec offers pressureleaching technology for copper feed material processing,including feed preparation, feeding systems, autoclavevessels with auxiliary equipment, flash systems and gasscrubbing.



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Outotec offers a wide selection of solution purificationand by-product processes. Leached metallic components,such as copper, iron, zinc, cobalt, nickel and cadmium,are processed during solution purification. Impurities areremoved and valuable metals recovered. The performanceof solution purification is crucial to the chemical andphysical quality of the products and for the environment.

Iron removalDepending on the leaching process and iron removaldesign, iron is generally removed directly in leachingreactors in oxidative conditions. Iron precipitates mainlyas hematite, which has good characteristics for storage intailings facilities.

Copper solvent extraction30% of the world’s copper is extracted using the world-famous Outotec VSF® solvent extraction process.

The solvent extraction technology can be used for

sulfate- and chloride-based leaching solutions for copperrecovery. The VSF® mixer-settler provides superior opera-tional results and sets the industry standard.

EXTENSIVE PORTFOLIO OF ADVANCED SOLUTIONPURIFICATION AND METALS RECOVERY

The key benefit of Outotec VSF® technology is theability to achieve minimal entrainment levels withoutcompromising reaction and settling rates. It ensures themaximum amount of high-grade copper product can berecovered through reliable and stable production, loweroperating costs due to low copper and reagent losses, aswell as low investment costs due to smaller settler sizesand less organic inventory. In addition, the Outotec VSF®

design includes many precautions to reduce the risk offire and to maintain high health and safety standards.

Precipitation processesOutotec supplies sulfide precipitation, oxidative precipita-tion, neutralization, cementation and reduction technolo-gies. We continuously strive to provide environmentallysustainable precipitation processes with the minimalconsumption of chemicals. The high selectivity ofOutotec processes ensures that the end product meetsthe strictest environmental standards. Outotec solutionpurification technologies have been successfully imple-

mented worldwide.



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Copper electrowinningOutotec offers superior copper electrowinning technologyfor producing high-grade cathodes from copper sulfatesolutions received from solvent extraction. Our electro-winning technology is well known and highly respectedaround the world.

Outotec is the partner of choice for delivering an efficient,

productive and safe electrowinning plant with optimizedcathode and cell sizes, current densities, busbars, andautomatic handling of cathodes. Outotec has vast expe-rience in supplying copper electrolysis processes andequipment for greenfield plants and for plant moderniza-tion.

Working together with OutotecOur success is based on continuously developing newtechnology and on numerous reference plants in opera-tion.

Through a partnership with Outotec, you will get the mostout of your raw material.



Outotec provides leading technologies and services for the sustainable use of Earth’s natural resources.

As the global leader in minerals and metals processing technology, we have developed many breakthrough

technologies over the decades for our customers in metals and mining industry. We also provide innovative

solutions for industrial water treatment, the utilization of alternative energy sources and the chemical

industry. Outotec shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki. www.outotec.com

Outotec® is a registered trademark. Copyright © 2014 Outotec Oyj. All rights reserved.

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ote outotec hydrometallurgical copper plants and p

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