10
air and bacteria addition and ii) a new cobaltiferous pyrite
concentrate feed stream blended to the dynamic heap leach
ore feed. This also included a cobalt recovery circuit as out-
lined above. Both scenarios were built from the base-case
model as a single simulation to provide a tool for dynamic
water balancing and solution management, as well as cop-
per and cobalt production forecasting.
Understanding and quantifying the chemistry through-
out the process was key, both within the heap leach system
as well as for all stages of the downstream hydrometallurgi-
cal processing. The simulations tools available within the
model software were used to determine reaction kinetic
coefficients based on laboratory column test results, which
were applied to each mineral for each ore type throughout
the stacking and leaching process. Isotherm data for the
SX circuit was incorporated into the simulation to deter-
mine overall extraction efficiencies, while assumed reaction
extents were applied to the remaining processing steps,
including copper precipitation (from the cobalt bleed PLS),
ion exchange
(Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Fe, Al, Mg, Mn) and MHP precipita-
tion (Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn). Finally, solution chemistry was
then studied in detail with the use of the OLI software add-
in to MetSim ® for electrolyte equilibrium, specifically for
iron precipitation within the heaps, copper precipitation
from the cobalt PLS stream, and finally the MHP precipi-
tation stage.
The modeling process is iterative based on test work
completion and economic evaluations. The model is a work
in progress that has undergone multiple iterations to date.
Additional optimization is underway.
CONCLUSIONS
Mantoverde has developed a novel flowsheet for pro-
duction of cobalt. The process leverages existing sulfide and
oxide infrastructure to deliver an economically viable pro-
cessing route for cobalt. In addition to the low capital cost
of this approach, the method yields considerable increased
copper production due to the bioleach conversion and the
recovery of copper units from the concentrator tailings. It
also provides significantly byproduct acid, which results
in a lower overall acid consumption for the dynamic heap
leach facility.
Figure 11 shows the conceptual flowsheet of the cobalt
process in relation to existing Mantoverde infrastructure.
Figure 12 shows a Venn diagram of the three primary
cobalt production steps, and lists some of the benefits they
confer to the Mantoverde operation.
Grinding Circuit
Rougher Flotation
Regrinding
1st Cleaner /Scav
2nd Cleaner
From
Primary Crusher
To
Tailings
Conc Dewatering
Cu Concentrate
MV Sulfide
Infrastructure
Cu Cathode
Agglomeration
Heap Leach Ripios
Solvent Extraction Electrowinning
From Oxide
Crushing Plant
MV Oxide
Infrastructure
Pyrite Flotation
Thickener Ion Exchange
Cu Cementation
Purification
Precipitation
Packaging 1200-1500 tpa Cobalt
contained as Hydroxide Precipitate
Inoculant Prod
New Cobalt
Infrastructure
Figure 11. Mantoverde cobalt recovery in context of existing infrastructure
air and bacteria addition and ii) a new cobaltiferous pyrite
concentrate feed stream blended to the dynamic heap leach
ore feed. This also included a cobalt recovery circuit as out-
lined above. Both scenarios were built from the base-case
model as a single simulation to provide a tool for dynamic
water balancing and solution management, as well as cop-
per and cobalt production forecasting.
Understanding and quantifying the chemistry through-
out the process was key, both within the heap leach system
as well as for all stages of the downstream hydrometallurgi-
cal processing. The simulations tools available within the
model software were used to determine reaction kinetic
coefficients based on laboratory column test results, which
were applied to each mineral for each ore type throughout
the stacking and leaching process. Isotherm data for the
SX circuit was incorporated into the simulation to deter-
mine overall extraction efficiencies, while assumed reaction
extents were applied to the remaining processing steps,
including copper precipitation (from the cobalt bleed PLS),
ion exchange
(Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Fe, Al, Mg, Mn) and MHP precipita-
tion (Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn). Finally, solution chemistry was
then studied in detail with the use of the OLI software add-
in to MetSim ® for electrolyte equilibrium, specifically for
iron precipitation within the heaps, copper precipitation
from the cobalt PLS stream, and finally the MHP precipi-
tation stage.
The modeling process is iterative based on test work
completion and economic evaluations. The model is a work
in progress that has undergone multiple iterations to date.
Additional optimization is underway.
CONCLUSIONS
Mantoverde has developed a novel flowsheet for pro-
duction of cobalt. The process leverages existing sulfide and
oxide infrastructure to deliver an economically viable pro-
cessing route for cobalt. In addition to the low capital cost
of this approach, the method yields considerable increased
copper production due to the bioleach conversion and the
recovery of copper units from the concentrator tailings. It
also provides significantly byproduct acid, which results
in a lower overall acid consumption for the dynamic heap
leach facility.
Figure 11 shows the conceptual flowsheet of the cobalt
process in relation to existing Mantoverde infrastructure.
Figure 12 shows a Venn diagram of the three primary
cobalt production steps, and lists some of the benefits they
confer to the Mantoverde operation.
Grinding Circuit
Rougher Flotation
Regrinding
1st Cleaner /Scav
2nd Cleaner
From
Primary Crusher
To
Tailings
Conc Dewatering
Cu Concentrate
MV Sulfide
Infrastructure
Cu Cathode
Agglomeration
Heap Leach Ripios
Solvent Extraction Electrowinning
From Oxide
Crushing Plant
MV Oxide
Infrastructure
Pyrite Flotation
Thickener Ion Exchange
Cu Cementation
Purification
Precipitation
Packaging 1200-1500 tpa Cobalt
contained as Hydroxide Precipitate
Inoculant Prod
New Cobalt
Infrastructure
Figure 11. Mantoverde cobalt recovery in context of existing infrastructure