Lead Metal Production at Paroo Station Mine Using …
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• Developing the metallurgical process flowsheet, process design criteria, Metsim
model, and plant design based on the results of the test work program;
• Developing engineering designs;
• Obtaining pricing from vendors;
• Developing a project execution strategy and schedule;
• Understanding and mitigating risks; and
• Preparation of capital and operating cost estimates.
The major activities conducted as part of the DFS included:
• Flowsheet development and process design based on the test work information;
• Equipment sizing;
• Development of engineering design criteria;
• Development of specifications and datasheets for equipment;
• Procurement activities to source prices from vendors;
• Planning, scheduling, and project implementation plan; and
• HAZOP, risk assessment, constructability review, and process design peer review.
The work undertaken was to the requirements of AACE Class 3 estimate.
Hydrometallurgical Facility Design Basis
The design capacity for the hydrometallurgical facility was set by RHM at 80,000 tpa
lead production. The mine life is expected to be up to 17 years (Table 4).
The concentrate mineralogy was investigated as part of the variability program
at ALS Global Metallurgical Services. This gave a range of mineralogy for design
(Table 5).
The plant is designed to handle the base case and the minimum and maximum
anglesite case. RHM advised that the concentrator will be fed from ore stockpiles to
provide a blended feed with mineralogical characteristic to match the design basis
range.
For the leaching process:
• Cerussite readily leaches in MSA;
• Anglesite is partially leached by the MSA and the remainder needs to be converted
to cerrusite before it can be recovered. This is done in a separate desulphurization
(DeS) leach using sodium carbonate;
• The galena also does not readily leach in MSA. It is leached by ferric methane
sulphonate which is generated by adding hydrogen peroxide in the MSA leach to
obtain soluble lead methane sulphonate and elemental sulphur; and
• Partial leaching of the Pyromorphite and Leadhillite is assumed based on
experimental results.
• The MSA used to leach the lead is regenerated in the electrowinning process by
precipitating the lead from solution as cathode. The spent electrolyte, typically
153
• Developing the metallurgical process flowsheet, process design criteria, Metsim
model, and plant design based on the results of the test work program;
• Developing engineering designs;
• Obtaining pricing from vendors;
• Developing a project execution strategy and schedule;
• Understanding and mitigating risks; and
• Preparation of capital and operating cost estimates.
The major activities conducted as part of the DFS included:
• Flowsheet development and process design based on the test work information;
• Equipment sizing;
• Development of engineering design criteria;
• Development of specifications and datasheets for equipment;
• Procurement activities to source prices from vendors;
• Planning, scheduling, and project implementation plan; and
• HAZOP, risk assessment, constructability review, and process design peer review.
The work undertaken was to the requirements of AACE Class 3 estimate.
Hydrometallurgical Facility Design Basis
The design capacity for the hydrometallurgical facility was set by RHM at 80,000 tpa
lead production. The mine life is expected to be up to 17 years (Table 4).
The concentrate mineralogy was investigated as part of the variability program
at ALS Global Metallurgical Services. This gave a range of mineralogy for design
(Table 5).
The plant is designed to handle the base case and the minimum and maximum
anglesite case. RHM advised that the concentrator will be fed from ore stockpiles to
provide a blended feed with mineralogical characteristic to match the design basis
range.
For the leaching process:
• Cerussite readily leaches in MSA;
• Anglesite is partially leached by the MSA and the remainder needs to be converted
to cerrusite before it can be recovered. This is done in a separate desulphurization
(DeS) leach using sodium carbonate;
• The galena also does not readily leach in MSA. It is leached by ferric methane
sulphonate which is generated by adding hydrogen peroxide in the MSA leach to
obtain soluble lead methane sulphonate and elemental sulphur; and
• Partial leaching of the Pyromorphite and Leadhillite is assumed based on
experimental results.
• The MSA used to leach the lead is regenerated in the electrowinning process by
precipitating the lead from solution as cathode. The spent electrolyte, typically