Copper, zinc and lead concentrate filtration plant

Description

Aurelia Metals Limited (AMI) is an Australian company that explores and extracts gold, silver, lead, zinc and copper. It operates the Hera and Peak gold and base metal mines in Midwestern New South Wales.

The Peak Gold Mine began production in 1992 and currently comprises five underground workings near Cobar in New South Wales. It produces gold, copper and silver.

Although Peak is mainly a gold mine, it also produces copper, zinc and lead. After checking with a team of geologists, it was decided to extend production. This required the company to replace the old filters. Our competitors recommended increasing the number of filters, but TH suggested using just two oversized filters as this would enable production to be increased gradually.

In all three cases, the process maintained moisture levels of less than 14% with a 13 minute cycle. The initial requirements were for a maximum of 17.5 t per hour for copper, 15.2 for zinc and 17 for lead.

The filter presses supplied were the following:
- For Zn: APN 16 filter press with 24 metal plates for washing and drying.
- For Cu and Pb: APN 16 filter press with 18 plates.

The project is currently under development and is expected to come on line by early next year.