Current Efficiency Increase in Zinc
Electrodeposition at Cajamarquilla
Refinery
Juliano Alves de Lima, Eder Lucio Martins, Gian Piero Pajuelo Gonzales
and Tone Takayama Filho
Abstract The Cajamarquilla Zinc Refinery is a metallurgical unit belonging to Nexa
Resources SA; its production capacity is 335 kt of refined zinc. It is an integrated Zinc
Refinery that processes Zinc concentrates from the route known as RLE (Roasting–
Leaching–Electrowinning). The Electrowinning stage is of fundamental importance
because it consumes 80% of all electrical energy and this represents 31% of the
entire conversion cost. It also restricts the production capacity of the plant. In the
years 2015, 2016, and 2017, there was a significant reduction in the current efficiency of the electrolysis, impacting the transformation cost and also the production
capacity of the Refinery. This work includes research studies, actions taken to restore
performance, and stability of the process. At present, Cajamarquilla’s performance in
current efficiency is benchmark against the main world competitors. In addition, the
main future developments to increase the competitiveness of the unit are presented.
Keywords Zinc electrowinning · Current efficiency · Cajamarquilla zinc refinery
Introduction
The Zinc Refinery of Cajamarquilla is a metallurgical plant that belongs to Nexa
Resources SA and is located in the Lurigancho-Chosica district in Metropolitan Lima.
It started operations in 1981 and currently has an annual production capacity of 335 kt
of refined zinc. It is an integrated Zinc Refinery that processes Zinc concentrates from
J. A. de Lima (B) · E. L. Martins · G. P. P. Gonzales
Nexa Resources S.A.—Cajamarquilla, Lima, Peru
e-mail: juliano.lima@nexaresources.com
E. L. Martins
e-mail: eder.martins@nexaresources.com
G. P. P. Gonzales
e-mail: gian.pajuelo@nexaresources.com
T. T. Filho
Nexa Resources S.A.—Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
e-mail: tone.takayama@nexaresources.com
© The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2020
A. Siegmund et al. (eds.), PbZn 2020: 9th International Symposium
on Lead and Zinc Processing, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37070-1_9
101
Electrodeposition at Cajamarquilla
Refinery
Juliano Alves de Lima, Eder Lucio Martins, Gian Piero Pajuelo Gonzales
and Tone Takayama Filho
Abstract The Cajamarquilla Zinc Refinery is a metallurgical unit belonging to Nexa
Resources SA; its production capacity is 335 kt of refined zinc. It is an integrated Zinc
Refinery that processes Zinc concentrates from the route known as RLE (Roasting–
Leaching–Electrowinning). The Electrowinning stage is of fundamental importance
because it consumes 80% of all electrical energy and this represents 31% of the
entire conversion cost. It also restricts the production capacity of the plant. In the
years 2015, 2016, and 2017, there was a significant reduction in the current efficiency of the electrolysis, impacting the transformation cost and also the production
capacity of the Refinery. This work includes research studies, actions taken to restore
performance, and stability of the process. At present, Cajamarquilla’s performance in
current efficiency is benchmark against the main world competitors. In addition, the
main future developments to increase the competitiveness of the unit are presented.
Keywords Zinc electrowinning · Current efficiency · Cajamarquilla zinc refinery
Introduction
The Zinc Refinery of Cajamarquilla is a metallurgical plant that belongs to Nexa
Resources SA and is located in the Lurigancho-Chosica district in Metropolitan Lima.
It started operations in 1981 and currently has an annual production capacity of 335 kt
of refined zinc. It is an integrated Zinc Refinery that processes Zinc concentrates from
J. A. de Lima (B) · E. L. Martins · G. P. P. Gonzales
Nexa Resources S.A.—Cajamarquilla, Lima, Peru
e-mail: juliano.lima@nexaresources.com
E. L. Martins
e-mail: eder.martins@nexaresources.com
G. P. P. Gonzales
e-mail: gian.pajuelo@nexaresources.com
T. T. Filho
Nexa Resources S.A.—Juiz de Fora, Juiz de Fora, Brazil
e-mail: tone.takayama@nexaresources.com
© The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2020
A. Siegmund et al. (eds.), PbZn 2020: 9th International Symposium
on Lead and Zinc Processing, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37070-1_9
101