32 XXXI International Mineral Processing Congress 2024 Proceedings/Washington, DC/Sep 29–Oct 3
Secondary
Neutralization
U/F Preleach
Pressure
Oxidation
Concentrate
Autoclave
Discharge
Thickener
Decant/Settle
CuS Product
Copper
Removal/
Thickener/Filter
Mixed
Hydroxide
Precipitation/
Thickener/Filter
Flash Letdown
Secondary
Neutralization/
Thickener
MHP Product
O2
Water
HCl
Primary
Neutralization
U/F Digestion
Ca(OH)2
U/F
O/F
Filter Water
Filtrate/Wash
Washed
Residue
N2
NaHS
O2
Ca(OH)2
Secondary
Hydroxide
Precipitation/
Thickener
Ca(OH)2
MgO
Barren Liquor
Primary
Neutralization
Secondary
Hydroxide
Precipitation
U/F Preleach
Deaeration
H2SO4
Condensate
Wash water
Wash water
U/F
Offgas to Scrubber
Figure 6. Block flow diagram for the pilot plant program
Table 3. West Musgrave concentrate head analysis for pilot testing
Element Ni Co Cu Zn Fe Mg Al Mn Ca S(tot)
%wt. 10.4 0.33 1.23 0.02 42.4 0.78 0.95 0.02 0.80 31.1
Secondary
Neutralization
U/F Preleach
Pressure
Oxidation
Concentrate
Autoclave
Discharge
Thickener
Decant/Settle
CuS Product
Copper
Removal/
Thickener/Filter
Mixed
Hydroxide
Precipitation/
Thickener/Filter
Flash Letdown
Secondary
Neutralization/
Thickener
MHP Product
O2
Water
HCl
Primary
Neutralization
U/F Digestion
Ca(OH)2
U/F
O/F
Filter Water
Filtrate/Wash
Washed
Residue
N2
NaHS
O2
Ca(OH)2
Secondary
Hydroxide
Precipitation/
Thickener
Ca(OH)2
MgO
Barren Liquor
Primary
Neutralization
Secondary
Hydroxide
Precipitation
U/F Preleach
Deaeration
H2SO4
Condensate
Wash water
Wash water
U/F
Offgas to Scrubber
Figure 6. Block flow diagram for the pilot plant program
Table 3. West Musgrave concentrate head analysis for pilot testing
Element Ni Co Cu Zn Fe Mg Al Mn Ca S(tot)
%wt. 10.4 0.33 1.23 0.02 42.4 0.78 0.95 0.02 0.80 31.1