SIMPLICITY IN LEACHING

The Albion Process is a proprietary process for treating refractor

oxidative leaching at atmospheric pressure. It allows metals to be r
liberating metals in the feed. The Albion Process was developed

Key steps in the Albion Process

WHY CHOOSE THE CONCENTRATE IS
ALBION PROCESS? FINELY GROUND UNDER
ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS
Atmospheric
leaching, with no Fine grinding in energy-efficient
need for pressure IsaMills introduces a high degree
or bacterial of strain into the sulphide mineral
leaching lattice, increasing the number of
Significantly grain boundary fractures in the
lower capital and mineral. It also prevents passivation
operating costs of the leaching surface, as the
mineral disintegrates before the
Proven
precipitate becomes thick enough to
technology based
form a passive layer.
on operational
and process
engineering
SLURRY IS LEACHED IN
expertise
ALBION LEACH REACTORS
VIA HYPERSPARGE
Suited to Albion Leach Reactor
refractory After the concentrate has been
precious and finely ground, the slurry is leached
basemetals in Albion Leach Reactors. Oxygen
is introduced into the Albion
Easily integrated Leach Reactors via HyperSparge,
with CIP/CIP and
leaching the slurry by oxidizing the
other processes
sulphide minerals.
Converts arsenic
minerals to MINERAL IS RECOVERED
environmentally THROUGH CONVENTIONAL
stable products, PROCESSES
no S02 formation
Once leached, the slurry is passed
Efficient capture into conventional processes to
of oxygen in recover the mineral, while the
process tailings are treated for disposal.
High metal Any arsenic minerals are converted
recovery into ferric arsenates or other stable
compounds so they can be safely Conventional downstream metal recovery
Simple to operate stored in tailings.
ory concentrates using a combination of ultrafine grinding and
recovered by conventional means by oxidizing sulphides and
d in 1994 by Glencore Technology, and is patented worldwide.

Proven, proprietary technologies

The advanced technologies involved in the Albion Process are all designed WHO SHOULD USE
ALBION PROCESS
by Glencore Technology, and provide simple, robust operation.
Albion Process is
a proven solution
for plants involved
in the processing of
precious and base
The Albion Leach Reactor IsaMill is a large-scale, ZipaTank is a modular HyperSparge is a
metal concentrates,
is an agitated vessel energy-efficient intensity tank design with bolted proven, cost-effective including zinc,
using centrally located grinding technology. It joins meaning no site sparging system for copper, refractory
dual hydrofoil impellers. optimises conditions for welding. The tanks are delivering air, oxygen or silver and
Oxygen is introduced good leach recovery by rapid to install requiring other gases for leaching refractory gold.
via HyperSparge producing a very sharp minimal skilled labour. or oxidation processes. It
to the leach slurry at size distribution in open The tanks are relocatable injects a supersonic jet of It is suited to
the oxidation of
supersonic velocity to circuit. Open circuit if required. The gas, which creates high
sulphide ores and
maximise mass transfer operation provides ZipaTank is typically local shear rates and fine
concentrates for
efficiency and ensure good slurry density for 15% lower cost than a bubbles, resulting in very
the recovery of
efficient oxidation of the the leaching circuit, welded tank (including efficient mass transfer
copper, cobalt,
sulphides. The Albion simplifying water installation). and oxygen utilisation.
nickel and zinc or
Leach Reactors are based balance and minimizing The HyperSparge the downstream
on the modular and easy capital cost. can be inserted and recovery of gold,
to install ZipaTank removed from a full tank silver, PGMs,
technology. minimising downtime. lead, sulphur and
molybdenum.
The use of atmospheric pressure leaching offers considerable It is a robust and
capital cost savings over alternative technologies. simple process, and
can treat highly
GeoProMining, A new lease of life, Mining Magazine, September 2013
variable feed
containing many
ONGOING SERVICE AND SUPPORT ABOUT GLENCORE TECHNOLOGY target elements.
Glencore Technology prides itself on delivering Glencore Technology develops, markets and Byproducts
comprehensive, end-to-end support for its products, supports technologies for the global mining, are recovered,
from initial design to after-market support. We mineral processing and metals extraction industries. maximising value
strive to develop enduring relationships, so Glencore Technology is a wholly owned subsidiary from the feed.
that customers can be confident of receiving the of the Glencore group, operating in Australia,
support they need to enjoy outstanding, enduring Russia, Chile, South Africa, Canada, China and
performance from the Albion Process. theUK.
Albion Process in action
Refractory gold
ARARAT PROCESSING PLANT,
GPM GOLD, ARMENIA
Gold hosted in pyrite and
arsenopyrite
Fully designed, supplied and
commissioned in June 2014 by
Glencore Technology
Producing 120kozpa gold at 98%
goldrecovery
14 week commissioning
HyperSparge technology used for
oxygen injection
ZipaTank technology used for leach
reactors and storagevessels
ABOUT GLENCORE
Glencore is one of the worlds largest global
diversified natural resource companies and
a major producer and marketer of more
than 90 commodities. We employ around
181,000 people across more than 150 mining
and metallurgical sites, oil production
assets and agriculturalfacilities.
Bulk zinc/lead Refractory silver/gold
sulphide concentrate LAS LAGUNAS,
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
NORDENHAM, GERMANY
Commissioned in 2012 and producing
Commissioned in 2011
80kozpa gold, 350kozpa silver
Throughput 36,000 tpa concentrate,
Refractory gold hosted inpyrite
producing 16,000 tpa zinc metal at
HyperSparge technology used for
99% recovery
oxygen injection
HyperSparge technology used for
oxygen injection
Integrated into existing zinc refinery Support from project
Produce metal without roasters evaluation to full
Lead and silver recovered and
processed
plant production.
With a strong footprint in both established power generation, oiland food processing
and emerging regions for natural industries. We also provide financing,
resources, Glencores industrial and logistics and other services to producers
marketing activities are supported by a and consumers of commodities.
global network of more than 90 offices
More information is available at
located in over 50 countries.
www.glencore.com
Our customers are industrial consumers,
such as those in the automotive, steel,
 Zero
SO2 emissions

18 months
from design to commissioning
Residue passes TCLP
leachability levels
allowingsafe disposal

Greater than Low capital and

98% operating costs

Plant recovery of
Au, Cu, Zn and Ni

Treats variable Modular,

lowgrade and small footprint
contaminated feed Simple to construct and operate
www.albionprocess.com
www.glencoretechnology.com

Glencore operates mines throughout the world.

Tough testing grounds that make our process technologies the best on earth.

CONTACT
Glencore Technology Pty Ltd
Level 10, 160 Ann
St Brisbane QLD
4000 Australia
Tel +61 7 3833 8500
Fax +61 7 3833 8555
Email albionprocess@glencore.com.au
Chile Tel +56 2 3242 9000
South Africa Tel +27 82 441 7482
Russia & CIS Tel +7 968 826 5058

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