Construction of the primary processing circuits with the stockpile conveyor in the foreground, the mill feed conveyor in the centre, the grinding circuit on the right and the thickening tanks in the centre background and tailings dams in the far background.

Gunpowder expansion project

Bateman Kinhill, the EPCM contractor, is making good progress expanding the existing copper cathode production capacity at Aberfoyle Limited’s Gunpowder copper mine from its present 8 000 t/yr to 45 000 t/yr .

The process involves tank leaching of chalcocite ore in combination with an autoclave operating at low temperature and pressure. This is the first time this process has been applied to copper. Leaching is followed by solvent extraction in BATEMAN patented reverse-flow mixer-settlers and then electrowinning to produce high grade copper cathode.

The Bateman Kinhill team has handled the tight project time-frame well and to date has executed 104 construction and procurement packages, poured 8 600 m 3 of concrete and is installing 1 100 tonne of structural steel, 70 km of electrical cable and 33 km of piping.

This fast-track project commenced in July 1997 and is currently on schedule to meet its 11-month target. Dry commissioning is due to commence during June with the first cathode due to be produced early in August. The project is expected to finish within its capital budget of Aus$92M.

Further details are available from Tony Cau, General Manager, Base Metals, on +61-7-3320-3333 or email basemetals@batemanengineering.com.

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