| Abstract: | This paper describes the development, engineering and initial operation of a relocatable 10 tonne per day copper solvent extraction and electrowinning plant. Plant design incorporates Krebs mixer-settlers, Dremco and Copper Refineries cell house ideas and various innovative engineering solutions. Use is made of up to date process control systems, giving a minimum of plant manning. Plant performance meets or exceeds design requirements for throughput and product quality. Significant modifications have been made to the chalcocite heap leaching system to raise copper dissolution rates. These are described together with plant performance data from the first 18 months of operation. |
