PILOT PLANT DEMONSTRATION OF THE PRIMALEAD PROCESS CONFIRMS THE VIABILITY TO GET GREEN LEAD PRODUCT FROM MINE LEAD

摘要

World lead consumption is continuously increasing due to lead-acid batteries uses, and about 40%rnlead demand is supplied as galena concentrates, which require large and complex factories to be processed,rnincluding an acid capture plant. Tecnicas Reunidas' Primalead process easily converts galena concentratesrnto a lead oxide/carbonate product, able to be processed in either primary or secondary lead smelters with norngeneration of slag or sulphurous gases. This paper presents the successful results of a pilot plant operationrnshowing the viability of the Primalead process to get a marketable green lead product, including recoveryrnof lead, silver, and other metals.