Olympic Dam takes more Bateman Pulsed Columns
BATEMAN is refurbishing the uranium solvent-
extraction (SX) circuit at the Olympic Dam operation of WMC Resources
Ltd at Roxby Downs, 560 km north of Adelaide in South Australia.
During the first phase of the project two new Bateman
Pulsed Columns were installed, while the second phase involves the modification
of the existing plant by relocating two of its Bateman Pulsed Columns
supplied in 1997.
The copper-uranium deposit at Olympic Dam is the world’s
sixth largest copper and its largest uranium deposit. Besides copper
and uranium oxide, the operation currently produces some gold and silver
as by-products as well.
BATEMAN’s A$12M design, procurement and construction
contract, covering the rebuilt SX circuit, has proceeded on a cost-plus,
fast-track basis. WMC again selected Bateman Pulsed Columns because
of its previous experience with the technology, the low capital cost
for this application and inherent safety advantages compared with mixer
settlers.
The two new pulsed columns, 16 m in height and 2,5
m in diameter (of the effective section), were fabricated offshore and
delivered to Olympic Dam within three months of the first discussions.
The columns were fabricated using fibreglass reinforced polyester (FRP)
with special carbon- fibre layers on the inside and outside surfaces.
These layers were designed to prevent the build-up of static electricity,
thereby eliminating a potential fire hazard.
WMC’s new engineering standards were incorporated
into the columns to minimise the fire risk. Existing piping materials
were replaced and the engineering design was done to the appropriate
standards for areas considered to be hazardous.
BATEMAN is currently the only global supplier of pulsed-column
technology with proven commercial applications in the mineral- processing
industry.
More details may be obtained from Amir Yanai, Marketing
Manager, Bateman Solvent Extraction, on email
BSX@batemanengineering.com.
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