First contract in China
Bateman Engineering has been awarded a US$4 million
contract from Yunnan Xinli Nonferrous Metals Co. Ltd to provide engineering
services for a new titanium slag smelting plant to be constructed
in the Chinese Province of Yunnan. The project is the first to be
carried out by Bateman Engineering in China, and offers the potential
for future business in the region, particularly with Yunnan Xinli's
parent company, the China Yunnan Metallurgical Group (CYMG).
The plant will produce 100,000 t/yr of high-grade titanium dioxide
(TiO2) slag, which is used as a feedstock in the pigment industry.
The slag will be produced from a feed of ilmenite utilising DC arc
furnace smelting technology in a 25 MW furnace.
The furnace will be designed with an offgas scrubber and the cleaned
furnace gas will be used as a combustion fuel for pre-heating the
ilmenite feedstock, thus maximising energy efficiency.
The contract comprises the basic engineering of the plant, as well
as technical assistance and training during construction, commissioning
and ramp-up. Bateman Engineering has also been contracted to do some
of the detailed engineering of the control system and critical process
plants such as the furnace, pre-heater and offgas scrubber, and there
is a further possibility for the company to supply some of this equipment.
CYMG (of which Yunnan Xinli is a subsidiary) has been in operation
since 1937 and is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. It is one
of the top 500 companies in China and has diverse interests in non-ferrous
metals.
The TiO2 project is the first step by CYMG to enter the
TiO2 slag industry. The company plans to start production
of TiO2 slag within the next two years and is also planning downstream
pigment production and titanium metal production plants.
Commenting on the contract award, Dr Sivi Gounden, Bateman Engineering
CEO, said: "This is a very exciting development for Bateman Engineering
as it represents our entry into the Chinese market, which presents
enormous opportunities for further growth. While the project size
is modest, it is strategically important, and is indicative of our
continuing international expansion."
For further information, please contact Ted Fulton, Manager, pyrometallurgy,
on +27-11-899-2376 or email pyrometallurgy@BatemanEngineering.com.
