DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS FOR THE COBALT RECOVERY CIRCUIT OF THE KOL (KOV) COPPER/COBALT REFINERY, DRC

摘要

There are a number of processes available to the designers of a cobalt recovery circuit. Each has its pros and cons. For the massive DCP/KOL project, the end product will be a hydroxide intermediate produced with tried and tested technologies - apart from manganese precipitation with SO_2/O_2. Environmental and logistical issues weighed against some of the newer technologies. DCP/KOL decided against using the established SX processes at this stage, mainly to keep the process simple but also to avoid the sodium sulphate environmental problems and the risks of having multiple SX reagents on the same site. When the operation is established, the cobalt refining circuit will be extended to produce up to 12 000 tpa electrowon cathode and will utilise IX and/or SX for impurity polishing. The redevelopment of the KOV and Kamoto mines in conjunction with the establishment of a new refinery and refurbishment of the old Luilu refinery will place KOL as one of the major copper and cobalt producers in the world and will contribute significantly to the economy of the Katangan region of the DRC and its people.