The Extractive Metallurgy

The Extractive Metallurgy:
Experiences and Lessons
by
Prof. Vladko Todorov PANAYOTOV, MEP
27 March 2012
Representation of the State of Baden-Württemberg to the European Union
Advancing with the Restoration Agenda
Building on the Experiences of the Extractive Industry in Promoting
Public Private Partnerships
Mineral processing:
Metals from ores
Heap Leaching
Leaching in Situ
Electrolytic Copper
Copper from leaching operation
Some Relative Properties of
Lixiviants
Production Figures
May 2001 – June 2007
Demand for Metals over Time
1,E+1
10
0
10
10
1,E+1
0
10
9
1
,E+09
10
10 9
1,E+09
IRON
8
1
,E+08
10
10 8
1,E+08
10 7
1,E+07
7
1
,E+07
10
COPPER
LEAD
ZINC
10 5
1,E+05
5
1
,E+05
10
TIN
4
1
,E+04
10
SILVER
1,E+04
10 4
NICKEL
COBALT
1,E+03
10 3
3
1
,E+03
10
GOLD
1,E+02
10 2
2
1
10
,E+02
PLATINUM
110
,E+01
1
,E+01
10
2000
1980
1960
1940
1920
1900
2000
1980
1960
1940
1920
1900
1880
1,E+00
1
1,E+00
1
1880
TONS
6
1
10
,E+06
10 6
1,E+06
Influence of Flotation
Chuquicamata Mine (Chile)
Mineral processing of copper
ore (Mills)
Flotation of Copper Sulfide (froth)
Rare metals as accompanying metals
of mass metals deposits
e.g. Molybdenum + Rhenium
Use Molybdenum:
• stainless high-strength
temperature-resistant steel,
catalysts, electronic parts, x-ray
tubes, lubricants
Production in 2010
234.000t
China
94000
U.S.
56 000
Chile
39 000
Peru
12 000
Canada
9 100
Mexico
8 000
Armenia
4 200
Russia
3 800
Iran
3 700
Mongolia
3 000
Uzbekistan
550
Kazakhstan
400
Kyrgyzstan
250
Rare metals as accompanying metals
of mass metals deposits
e.g. Molybdenum + Rhenium
Use Rhenium:
• Nickel-superalloys for
turbine blades, PlatinumRhenium-Catalysts,
thermoelements
Production 2009 total:
46.200kg
Chile
United States
Peru
Kazakhstan
Poland
Canada
Russia
Other countries
Armenia
25 000
6 000
5 000
3 000
2 400
1 800
1 500
1 500
400
Examples
Actual Situation in Europe
•Europe depends largely on imports of metals
•Recycling for many metals highly developed, but legal situation and
markets for used goods drive recyclable materials out of Europe
•Primary resource potential is still existing, many mines in Europe have
been closed in the past due to high labour and environmental costs
•Increased exploitation activities will result in new mines
•Secondary resources potential in re-processing of old tailing and mine
dumps, metallurgical slags and old waste dumps still largely unused
(Herman Wotruba (11/2007))
Actual Situation in Europe
•Base metal deposits in Europe are comparatively small, low grade
and difficult to mine and process (example: Kupferschiefer)
•Alternative resources: old tailings dumps, old slag dumps and new
metallurgical slags
•Most base metal metallurgical slags are difficult to process and
actually widely used as construction materials, which results in a
complete loss of their metal content
•Production costs for metal mining, processing and smelting in Europe
are high, due to high labour, environmental and energy costs
•Efficient , low-energy , high-recovery processing
technology is needed (Herman Wotruba (11/2007))
Energy saving, comparing recycling and new production
Energy Savings from Recycling
Metals
Metal
%
Aluminum
95
Copper
85
Steel
74
Lead
65
Zinc
60
Rehabilitation
Thank you for your attention!
Prof. Vladko Todorov PANAYOTOV, MEP
vladkotodorov.panayotov@europarl.europa.eu
Tel: +32 228 45384
Mobile: +359 888 207 471