First metal poured at Skorpion
Zinc
The major project to develop the Skorpion zinc mine and refinery
near Rosh Pinah in southern Namibia has drawn to a successful close,
with the first special-high-grade (SHG) metal having been poured on
9 May 2003. The metal had a zinc content of greater than 99,995 % and
is for export to Europe.
The plant is expected to be in full production by
the end of the year, producing 150 000 t/yr of zinc at low cost, the
latter made possible by the fact that it is an integrated mine and refinery:
the first of its kind in Southern Africa. The project was well within
the project schedule and budget, taking into account unexpected delays
such as strike action, the liquidation of an important contractor and
a change in scope.
The project team on this US$450M project comprised
personnel from AngloBase Namibia and SPJV, a joint venture between BATEMAN
and SNC-LAVALIN Inc. SPJV was responsible for the detailed engineering
of the high tech plant, as well as the project services for the overall
project.
The project involved a unique and innovative combination
of existing technologies, including leaching, solvent extraction, electrowinning,
melting and cast-house technologies. Solvent extraction was employed
in combination with electrowinning and, while these processes have been
proved in the past, it is the first time that they have been used together
on such a large scale.
A training facility, a 1/1 400 scale replica of the
main refinery, was provided for use by Skorpion’s operational personnel
to train Namibian recruits and other operators in all aspects of the
zinc refining flow sheet. The facility will ensure that the technical
skills required to operate the process are developed by plant management
and supervisory staff.
Protection of the environment and the safety and health
of the work-force were of paramount importance during the execution
of the project. The more unusual vegetation on site was relocated, while
the sulphuric acid plant has been designed to ensure that emissions
into the environment are minimised. Skorpion’s safety figures were
exceptional with 4,4M accident free hours being achieved in one stretch.
One of the 10 largest zinc mines in the world, Skorpion
is the first non-diamond mine in the formerly restricted Sperrgebiet
Diamond Area No. 1 of Namibia. The mine is estimated to have a lifespan
of approximately 15 years and exploits an orebody with reserves of around
21,4M t and a zinc grade of about 10 %. The project has already had
a significant positive impact on the Namibian economy and, in full production,
will contribute some 4 % of Namibia’s gross domestic product with
about 75 % of the approximately 550 permanent staff on-site being Namibian.
Further information may be obtained from
Steve Burks, Managing Director, Bateman Metals
on +27-11-899-2756 or
email steveb@bmi.co.za.
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