Contents
Cover
Half Title page
Title page
Copyright page
Foreword
Ian M. Ritchie – A Biography
Session Chairs and Co-Chairs
Plenaries
Challenges for Hydrometallurgy in Environmental and Health Stewardship
Abstract
Introduction
Stewardship
Hazard and Risk
The PBT Hazard Criteria
Examples of recent regulatory activities
The Importance of Chemical Speciation
The Way Forward
Conclusion
References
Business Aspects and Future Technical Outlook for Hydrometallurgy
Abstract
Introduction
Hydrometallurgical Processes: Odds of Commercial Success
Commercial Installations of New Technology – the Record
Financial Aspects
What If We Could Predict Startup Times?
A Useful (?) Formula
Where Do We Go from Here?
Non-process Considerations
Summary and Closing
Acknowledgments
References
Biotechnology for Sustainable Hydrometallurgy
Abstract
Introduction
High Rate Biotechnology
Bioconversion of Sulfur Compounds
Bioconversions of Nitrogen Compounds
Bioconversions of Metals And Metal Oxides
Industrial Applications
Conclusions
References
Electrometallurgy
Electrometallurgy: Electrochemistry & Cementation
Electrochemistry: The Key to Understanding Hydrometallurgical Reactions
Abstract
Introduction
The Zincate/Aluminium Cementation Reaction
Cementation of Copper on Nickel
Cementation of gold thiourea using mild steel
References
APPENDIX 1. Experimental Methods
Limitations for the Use of Evans’ Diagrams to Describe Hydrometallurgical Redox Phenomena
Abstract
Introduction
Theoretical Considerations
Experimental Methods
Results and Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
Hydrogen Reduction of Metal Ions: An Electrochemical Model
Abstract
Introduction
Precipitation Kinetics
Heterogeneous Activation: Electrochemical Model
Discussion
Conclusions
References
Alloy Formation During the Cementation of Gold on Copper from Ammoniacal Thiosulfate Solutions
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental Procedures
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
References
Some Aspects of Cementation Reactions
Abstract
Introduction
Thermodynamics
Kinetics and Mechanism
Deposit Effects
Deposit Composition
A Novel Class of Cementation Reactions
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Electrometallurgyl Electrowinning
Effect of Impurity Presence in Zinc Chloride Electrowinning
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and discussions
Conclusions
References
The Effects of Solution Impurities on the Properties of Nickel Cathodes
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results
Discussion
Conclusions
References
Effect of Some Polyols and Organic Acids on the Current Efficiency and the Cell Voltage During Zinc Electrowinning
Abstrat
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Aknoledgments
References
Determination of Crystallite Size and Surface Roughness of Copper Deposits for Electrowinning in the Presence of an Organic Additive
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Experimental Results
Conclusions
References
Electrocrystallisation of Nickel: Effect of Certain Metal Ions
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental Details
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
The Effect of Dissolved Manganese on Anode Activity in Electrowinning
Abstract
Introduction
Effect of manganese
Experimental
Results and discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Study of Anodic Slime from Chilean Copper Electrowinning Plants
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussions
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Zinc Electrowinning Using Novel Rolled Pb-Ag-Ca Anodes
Abstract
Introduction
Microstructures of Anodes
Application in Commercial Electrowinning Cells
Conclusion
References
Electrodeposition of Nickel-Cobalt Alloys from Sulfate Acid Baths
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussions
Conclusions
References
Extraction of Copper at Elevated Feed Concentrations
Abstract
Introduction
Conclusions
References
Investigations of Spouted Bed Electrowinning for the Zinc Industry
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results
Discussion and Conclusions
Concluding Remarks
Acknowledgements
References
Successful Industrial Use of Quillaja Saponins (Quillaja saponaria Molina) for Acid Mist Suppression in Copper Electrowinning Process
Abstract
Introduction
Quillaja saponins
Laboratory experiments
Pilot plant tests
Industrial trials
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Hydrogen Inhibitor Applications in Fuel Cells and Base Metal Electrowinning
Abstract
Introduction
Effect of MagPower Additives in the Magnesium-Air Fuel Cell
Effect of MagPower Additives on the Zinc Electrowinning Process
Test Work
Conclusions
References
Direct Electrowinning of Silver from Dilute Leach Liquors
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
High Current Density Emew® Copper Electrowinning
Abstract
Introduction
Radomiro Tomic Bleed Electrolyte Programme
Results
Conclusion
Performance of Intercell Bars for Electrolytic Applications: A Critical Evaluation
Abstract
Introduction
Background: Whitehead configuration
Background: Walker configuration
Intercell Bar Comparison
AZSA intercell bar
Outokumpu double contact intercell bar
Optibar InterCell Plus
Experimental comparison
Economical comparison
Intercell bar substitution: project evaluation
Conclusion
References
Acknowledgements
Commercial Development of a Descending Packed bed Electrowinning Cell, Part 2: Cell Operation
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results
Discussion and Conclusions
References
Operations
Feasibility Studies: Just How Good Are They?
Abstract
Introduction
Discussion
Thirteen Project Pitfalls
Innovation: The Way Forward for Hydrometallurgical Processing
Abstract
Introduction
Hydrometallurgy – A Tool Towards Sustainable Development
Solution Chemistry in Hydrometallurgy
Case Studies of Innovative Process Technologies in Hydrometallurgy
Conclusion
References
Copper Concentrate Leaching Developments by Phelps Dodge Corporation
Abstract
Introduction
Process Chemistry
Batch Testing of High Temperature Process
Continuous Pilot Plant Testing of High Temperature Process
Commercial Development and Application of Concentrate Leaching at Bagdad
Commercial Drivers for Concentrate Leaching
Summary and Conclusions
References
Hydrometallurgical Applications of Rheology Testing
Abstract
Introduction
The Importance of Rheology in Hydrometallurgy
Applied Rheology Testwork
Conclusions
References
The Development and Implementation of Industrial Hydrometallurgical Gallium and Germanium Recovery
Abstract
Introduction
Technology Review
Bench Scale Testing
Pilot Testing
Proposed Flowsheet
Cost Estimates
Conclusion
References
The Sepon Copper Project: Development of a Flowsheet
Abstract
Introduction
Geology
Process Options
Process Options Review
Plant Design Concepts
Conclusions
Reference
The Teck Cominco Hydrozinc™ Process
Abstract
Introduction
Background
Process Description
Plant Results
Engineering and Economics
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
Removal of Phosphorus from Lisakovsky Iron Ore by a Roast-Leach Process
Abstract
Introduction
Characteristics of the Deposit
Comprehensive Test Program
Pilot Plant Trials
Industrial-Scale Demonstration Plant
Conclusions
References
On-Line Analyzers in Hydrometallurgical Applications
Abstract
Introduction
Process Overview
Discussion
References
Environmental Hydrometallurgy
Environmental Hydrometallurgy
Recycling
Recycling Non-Ferrous Metals from U.S. Industrial Waste
Abstract
Introduction
The Specialty Recycling Plants
Conclusions
References
Copper Recovery from Waste Printed Circuit Board
Abstract
Introduction
Copper Recovery Process
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
References
Metal Recovery from Electronic Scrap by Leaching and Electrowinning IV
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussions
Conclusions
References
Nomenclature
Recovery of Zinc(II) from Spent Hydrochloric Acid Solutions from Zinc Hot-Dip Galvanizing Plants
Abstract
Introduction
Theory of Zinc(II) Extraction from Chloride Media
Extraction of Zinc(II) from Hydrochloric Acid Solutions
Conclusions
Acknowledgement
References
Recycling of ZnO Flue Dust to Produce Zinc by Hydrometallurgical Routes
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Recovery of Cobalt and Tungsten from Scrap Carbide Pieces Through a Hydrometallurgic Route
Abstract
Introduction
Recovery Routes for Tungsten and Cobalt from Scrap Hard Carbides
Materials and Methods
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
References
Selective Leaching of Platinum and Palladium by Chloride Solution
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Chemistry of Palladium and Platinum
Results and Discussion
Conclusion
References
Recovery of Chromium(VI) from Electroplating Rinse Water: The Development of a Hollow Fibre Solvent Extraction Process
Abstract
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Environmental Hydrometallurgy: Precipitation
Neutralisation and Precipitation of Iron(III) Oxides at Ambient Temperatures Using Caustic, Lime or Magnesia
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
Appendix I
References
The Precipitation Chemistry and Performance of the Akita Hematite Process — An Integrated Laboratory and Industrial Scale Study
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Recent Developments in Iron Removal and Control at the Zinc Corporation of South Africa
Abstract
Introduction
Iron Removal at Zincor
Future Initiatives
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
Reference List
Iron(II) Oxidation by SO2/O2 in Uranium Leach Solutions
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results
Conclusion
Acknowledgments
References
Reactions of Carbon Dioxide with Tri-Calcium Aluminate
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Carbonation of dilute test liquor
Carbonation of TCA in dilute test liquor
Chemistry of TCA reaction with CO2 and dilute test liquor
TCA –Dawsonite Equilibrations
TCA neutralisation at fixed pH
Conclusions
Acknowledgments
References
Removal of Thallium from Wastewater
Abstract
Introduction
Reductive Precipitation Technology
Conclusions for the Controlled Reductive Precipitation Technology
Acknowledgments
References
Adaptation of Dilute Mode Lime Dual Alkali Scrubbing at Stillwater Mining Company’s PGM Smelter
Abstract
Introduction
Process Description
Process Performance
Conclusions
Gypsum Fouling in Neutralization Reactors and Aqueous Streams
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental Methods
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
The Behaviour of the Lanthanide Elements During Jarosite Precipitation
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Recovery of Cerium by Oxidation/Hydrolysis with KMnO4 – Na2CO3
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and discussion
Conclusions
References
Compartmental Modelling of an Aggregating Batch Gibbsite Precipitator
Abstract
Introduction
A Simulated Gibbsite Precipitation System
A Compartmental Precipitator Model
Simulation of A Batch Gibbsite Precipitator
Conclusions
Acknowledgment
Nomenclature
References
Gibbsite Crystal Growth in Caustic Aluminate Solutions Under Different Flow Regimes
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental Gibbsite Precipitation Systems
Analysis of Gibbsite Crystal Growth
Conclusions
Acknowledgment
Nomenclature
References
Selective Precipitation of Cobalt from Ammonia Leach Solutions: Recent Experience at the Corefco Refinery in Fort Saskatchewan
Abstract
Overview of Cobalt Recovery in the Sherritt Process
The Effect of Calcium Input to Leach
As an Independent Process for Cobalt Purification
References
Selective Precipitation for Cobalt and Molybdenum Recovery from a Synthetic Industrial Waste Effluent
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Environmental Hydrometallurgy
Acid Rock Drainage
Remediation of Acid Mine Drainage at the Friendship Hill National Historic Site with a Pulsed Limestone Bed Process
Abstract
Background
Methods
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
References
Development of SRB Treatment Systems for Acid Mine Drainage
Abstract
Introduction
SRB Subsurface Bioreactor
On-Site SRB Bioreactor
Integrated Biological Treatment
Improvements in Engineered Bioremediation of AMD
Summary
Acknowledgements
References
High Rate Biotechnology to Produce Low Cost Sulphide for the Selective Recovery of Metals from Acid Wastewater - Commercial Case Studies
Abstract
Introduction
The BioSulphide - Thiopaq Technology - Basic Description
Integration of BioSulphide-Thiopaq Technology and Lime Plants
Case Studies
Conclusions
References
Prevention of Acid Mine Drainage from Open Pit Highwalls
Abstract
Introduction
Technology Descriptions
Field Testing
Laboratory Testing
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
References
Application of Lignosulfonates in Treatment of Acidic Rock Drainage
Abstract
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results And Discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgement
References
Environmental Hydrometallurgy
Arsenic
The Removal of Arsenic from Process Solutions: Theory and Industrial Practice
Abstract
Introduction
Solubility of “Ferric Arsenates”
Methods of Arsenic Disposal
Discussion
Acknowledgements
References
Biological Water Treatment for Dissolved Metals and Other Inorganics
Abstract
Introduction
Methods
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Sorption of Arsenate from Aqueous Solution with Manganic Ferric Oxyhydroxide
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussions
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Preparation, Characterization and Solubilities of Adsorbed and Co-Precipitated Iron (III)-Arsenate Solids
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Adsorptive Removal of Arsenic and Fluoride by Using Orange Juice Residue
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Procedure of Adsorption Tests
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Removal of Arsenic by Red Mud from Contaminated Waste Water
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
References
Environmental Hydrometallurgy General
Biosorption of Heavy Metal Ions from Wastewater by Streptomyces Viridosporus
Abstract
Introduction
Experimental
Analytical Procedure
Results and Discussions
Conclusions
References
Metal Waste Prevention by SLM
Abstract
Introduction
Challenges
Achievements
Application/Exploitation
Acknowledgments
References
The SO2/O2 System as a Novel Technology for the Remediation of Contaminated Sediments
Abstract
Introduction
The SO2/O2 System
Experimental
Results and Discussion
Economical Analysis
Conclusions
References
Separation of Copper, Nickel and Cobalt in Sulphate and Chloride Solutions by Solvent Extraction
Abstract
Introduction
Description of the production flow
Recovery of copper
Recovery of nickel
Recovery of cobalt
Conclusion
References
Reclamation of Cobalt and Copper from Copper Converter Slags
Abstract
Introduction
Characterization of the Copper Converter Slag
Process Options
Processing Slags for Metals Extraction
Process Chemistry of Metals Extraction from Slags
Metals Recovery from Leach Liquor
Conclusions
Acknowledgement
References
The Use of Pb Isotopes, Total Metals Analysis and Total Metals Ratios to Characterize Pb Transport and Fate in an Interrupted Stream, Aravaipa Creek, SE Arizona
Abstract
Introduction
Sampling and Analysis
Results and Discussion
Conclusions
References
Author Index
HYDROMETALLURGY 2003
Professor Ian M. Ritchie
A Publication of TMS (The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society)
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Foreword
International Hydrometallurgy Symposia have been landmark conferences with worldwide participation by academic, industrial, administrative, and government personnel involved in a variety of hydrometallurgical applications: metal production, recycling, waste treatment and minimization, research and development, water and soils remediation, etc. Always well attended, these symposia have been held every 10 years since 1963 under sponsorship of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) with the lead society alternating between The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) and the Society of Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration (SME). Proceedings from these symposia are also well referenced and have served the hydrometallurgical community for decades. The four previous symposia and proceedings were organized and edited by M.E. Wadsworth and F.T. Davis (Dallas, TX, 1963), D.J.I. Evans and R.S. Shoemaker (Chicago, IL, 1973), K. Osseo-Asare and J.D. Miller (Atlanta, GA, 1983), and J.B. Hiskey and G.W. Warren (Salt Lake City, UT, 1993).
In order to better satisfy the hydrometallurgical community, the AIME-affiliated societies of TMS and SME approached the Metallurgical Society (MetSoc) of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) to begin cooperating at a global level by having one large symposium as opposed to several small, competing annual conferences. In this regard, the three societies decided to combine the 5th International Symposium on Hydrometallurgy with the 2003 Hydrometallurgy Meeting of MetSoc in conjunction with the 2003 CIM Conference of Metallurgists in Vancouver, British Columbia between August 24 and 27. The societies also agreed to hold future symposia every five years with organization responsibility rotating to SME in 2008, CIM in 2013, and ultimately back to TMS in 2018. Other global societies would be welcome to get involved as well and, with this in mind, the organizing committee decided to honor Professor Ian M. Ritchie for all his efforts in promoting and advancing hydrometallurgical technologies through his own research and development activities as well as with the A.J. Parker Cooperative Research Centre for Hydrometallurgy in Australia that he developed and began directing in 1992. “Hydro 2003: The Ritchie Symposium” and the ensuing proceedings represent the first effort of this unprecedented and hopefully increasing cooperation among these societies and possibly a host of other international organizations.
The organizing committee anticipated that 4 plenary and 90 invited papers would be submitted to the proceedings. These were expected to cover a variety of topics including, but not limited to, fundamentals, biotechnology, leaching, environmental applications, crystallization and precipitation, adsorption, ion exchange, solvent extraction, cyanide and alternatives for precious metal extraction and recovery, chloride and other lixiviant use in base metal extraction and recovery, process development and modeling, thermodynamic and kinetic evaluations, plant practices and innovations, scale-up, waste treatment and minimization, waste water and resource recovery, cementation and corrosion, process mineralogy and characterization, future role of hydrometallurgy, economic evaluations, and pyrometallurgical comparisons. Plenary presentations were planned for Monday morning followed by 3 concurrent sessions, each with 6 papers beginning Monday afternoon and ending Wednesday afternoon. However, the committee received over 250 abstracts and attributed this as strong support by hydrometallurgical community for the cooperation of the societies as well as for the symposium being named in honor of Professor Ian M. Ritchie. Based on this extremely favorable response, the committee decided to accept 180 abstracts and, of these, 154 papers were eventually submitted for publishing in these proceedings. This forced the committee to expand the number of concurrent sessions to five with some morning sessions having seven papers.
Most of the anticipated topics were covered and the end result was another International Hydrometallurgy Symposium and Proceedings of high value; however, the strengths are in leaching and solution purification as well as electrometallurgy and environmental hydrometallurgy which explains why the proceedings are divided into two volumes with these specific names. Volume 1 includes Ian Ritchie’s plenary “Is Extractive Metallurgy Becoming Extinct?” as well as 17 papers on precious metal leaching with cyanide and alternatives particularly thiosulfate, 32 papers on leaching applications and fundamentals using heap, chloride and autoclave techniques, and 24 papers on solvent extraction. On the other hand, Volume 2 includes the three plenary presentations by Bruce Conard on “Challenges,” Doug Halbe on “Business Aspects,” and Cees Buisman on “Biotechnologies” as well as 25 papers covering acid-rock drainage, arsenic, recycling and other environmental issues, 14 papers dealing with precipitation and crystallization, 9 papers on plant operations, and 18 papers about electrowinning regarding such topics as history, additives and impurities, anode and cell design, acid mist, and fundamentals. Excellent papers also cover adsorption (2), ion exchange (4), and electrochemistry (5), the latter being critical reviews for understanding leaching, precipitation, cementation, and electrowinning.
The organizing and editing committee gratefully acknowledges all the authors and presenters without whom none of this would be possible. Their patience and understanding of the review process for 154 papers was and is appreciated. Many of the authors also helped spread the word about the symposium which the hydrometallurgy community consequently received with great enthusiasm. This, of course, includes the four plenary speakers! Sincere appreciation is also extended to the various entities (universities, institutions, companies, agencies, etc.) that sponsor the research and publication efforts of the authors as well as their expenses to attend and present at the symposium. The committee is also indebted to the session chairs and co-chairs who volunteered their services and expenses to help run this event. Critical to the success of Hydro 2003 has been the support of the three societies involved and their willingness and ability to cooperate, particularly at the division level including TMS/EPD, SME/MPD and MetSoc/Hydrometallurgy Section. Specific people include TMS’s Dan Steighner, Director of Member, Marketing, and Meeting Services; Michael Packard, Manager of Meeting Services; Christina Raabe, Manager, Continuing Education and Information Transfer; Marla Boots, Technical Programming Assistant; and Stephen Kendall, Book Publishing Coordinator; MetSoc’s Gillian Jazzar, Administration and Meeting Planning; Ronona Saunders, Publications, Web and Marketing; Eric Brosseau, Registration and Dispatcher; and SME’s Tara Davis, Publicity and Programming Manager; and Joette Cross, Meetings Manager. Finally, sincere appreciation is extended to the committee’s universities and companies for the time, computer, and secretarial resources to help make the editorial changes to most of the 154 papers; this would not have happened without the marvels of e-mail, the worldwide web, and two wonderful administrative assistants who always come through in the clutch: Gail Bergman (Montana Tech) and DaNette Rule (Montana Tech/CAMP).
Courtney Young, Chair
Montana Tech
Butte MT USA
Corby Anderson
CAMP/Montana Tech
Butte MT USA
David Dreisinger
University of British Columbia
Vancouver BC Canada
Akram Alfantazi
University of British Columbia
Vancouver BC Canada
Amy James
The Shaw Group, Inc.
Denver CO USA
Bryn Harris
Process Research Ortech
Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Ian M. Ritchie – A Biography
Professor Ian Mackay Ritchie was born on March 18, 1936 in Tidworth, Hampshire, England the son of Lieut. Col. W.J. and Mrs L.E.P. Ritchie. In 1959 he married Ann McMahon, the girl who had nursed him when he was in hospital four years earlier. Ian and Ann have three children, Kathy, Andrew and Alec of whom they are extremely and lovingly proud.
Ian received his high school education at Watford Boys Grammar School and then went on to Cambridge University where he obtained a B.A. in Natural Sciences and an M.Eng. in Chemical Engineering. His final year project, from which he published a paper, was on solvent extraction. He also received a “blue” for playing badminton for Cambridge. Upon graduation, he accepted a position with Transitron Electronic Corporation, in Wakefield, Massachusetts, USA as a Research and Development Engineer. His research there was largely in solid state chemistry and resulted in a paper and a patent.
He left Wakefield in February 1962 to take a Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry at the University of Melbourne in Australia. This was also in solid state Chemistry, the topic being the reactions between metals and gases such as oxygen. Despite a substantial teaching load as a tutor, he was able to complete his degree in 1965 and was made a Lecturer in that year. In 1968, he was promoted to Senior Lecturer. During these years at Melbourne University, his focus was on metal oxidation reactions. For his work in this field, he was awarded the Grimwade Prize for Industrial Science from Melbourne University.
Several important changes took place in 1972. He took up a position as Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia in Perth and he started investigating the effect of oxide films on cementation reactions and other corrosion reactions. So began his interest in hydrometallurgy which has increased steadily with the years. He was awarded the Australasian Corrosion Medal in 1979 for his work in this area. In 1984, he made another move, this time as Professor of Chemistry at Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia, where he remains today, even though he has supposedly retired. During his time there, he was named Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research for three years (1986–1988) and served as Acting Dean of the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences for eight months (June 1991-January 1992) after which he began finalizing the plans for the A.J. Parker Cooperative Research Centre for Hydrometallurgy. In June of 1992, the Centre was formally established and Dr. Ian Ritchie was appointed as director.
For the past decade, Dr. Ritchie has dedicated his life to the Centre and it is obvious he has succeeded (as addressed later). However, the opportunity did not come by chance; it came from the previous two decades that he also dedicated to furthering hydrometallurgical technology. Since 1970, Ian authored a book, edited another, and published an additional 124 papers with 88 appearing in refereed journals and the other 36 in conference proceedings. He has also been professionally active as a referee reviewing manuscripts for 9 journals including one as a member of the Editorial Board, as a researcher in numerous hydrometallurgical areas particularly gold processing and metal cementation, and a recognized invited-lecturer presenting keynote and plenary addresses at a variety of conferences including twelve in the last six years. He has, on several occasions, given youth lectures in hydrometallurgy for schools. However, perhaps his most daunting task has not been working the ropes to keep the Parker Centre for Hydrometallurgy funded but rather to find students to conduct research and help keep it running. Consequently, Dr. Ritchie has first-hand experience regarding the difficulties associated with recruiting students into hydrometallurgy. This is one reason why he was asked to give a plenary on the status of “Extractive Metallurgy Education” for the Hydro 2003 Symposium. His interesting perspectives on the subject are included in “Is Extractive Metallurgy Becoming Extinct?” in these proceedings. Dr. Ritchie has also received numerous accolades for his efforts including the 1997 Stokes Medal for Electrochemistry and the 1997 Applied Research (R G Becher) Medal from the Royal Australian Chemical Institute, the 1997 Western Australian Citizen of the Year (Professions), and the 2000 President’s Award from the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. He has received a Doctor of Science from Cambridge University (1999) and an Honorary Doctorate from Murdoch University (2001). He has been elected a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (1993) and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (2001). In 2003, he was awarded a Centenary Medal by the Australian Commonwealth Government.
On three occasions during his teaching career, Dr. Ritchie went on sabbatical leave. In 1970, he studied with Dr. W. Hayes at the Clarendon Laboratory, Oxford University. In 1982, he returned to Oxford to study with Dr. H.A.O. Hill in Department of Inorganic Chemistry. In 1989, his travels took him to Mintek in South Africa as a consultant and then to Department of Metallurgical Engineering at University of Utah, Salt Lake City, as a Visiting Professor. During these leaves, he would teach courses, particularly on “Electrochemistry in Hydrometallurgy.” In this course, Ian covers all aspects of electrochemistry (i.e., Evans’ diagrams, redox potential, mixed potential, corrosion, metal dissolution, metal recovery, cementation, surface control, etc.) and includes laboratory exercises (i.e., cyclic voltammetry, intermittent galvanostatic polarization, ring-disk studies, reversibility, etc.) as well as the use of free energy for thermodynamically modeling hydrometallurgical processes. Students have proclaimed that the course rates among the highest they have ever taken and additionally point out that his lectures were eloquently delivered, well organized, and showed concern for the students and their understanding due to his one-on-one approach with them. He truly takes a genuine interest in the student and their success. This insures that science is not only learned but learned to be applied. Due to his research and educational activities, particularly in electrochemistry, oxidation and kinetics, hydrometallurgy and associated technologies have been tremendously advanced via their applications and their understanding. The hydrometallurgical community has him and the one of the world’s leading research organizations, the AJ Parker Cooperative Research Centre for Hydrometallurgy, to thank.
In 1992, Dr. Ritchie finished developing and began directing the A.J. Parker Research Centre for Hydrometallurgy via an Australian Government grant for approximately A$10.5 million (Australian). Since then, he has been responsible for its growth and, in the 5th Year Review of the Parker Centre carried out at the end of 1997, the Review Panel said of the Centre’s research:
“The A.J. Parker CRC has achieved a high level of research excellence and has established itself as a world leader in the field of hydrometallurgy and is producing excellent results.”
“It is the firm opinion of the Panel that each program area has produced at least one hall-mark outcome that makes a significant contribution to the field of hydrometallurgy. To have credit for just one alone would be a tremendous accomplishment.”
“The qualities and capabilities displayed by the Director and other members of research management are truly exemplary. The Director devotes 100% of his time to CRC activities. He is clearly the guiding force behind the success of this Centre. He demands a high measure of excellence from himself and has left this imprint on others. The esteem in which he is held is reflected by the prestigious awards that he has recently received.”
Currently, the Parker Centre, as it is more commonly referred, is in its second 7-year funding cycle via an A$18.5 million Commonwealth Grant, has over 85 full time staff and research scientists, and employs about 45 students, mainly doctoral candidates. The staff, scientists and students are from five joint venture research partners comprised of universities (Curtin, Murdoch and Queensland) and government research agencies (CSIRO Minerals and WA Dept of Industry and Resources). With an annual research budget near A$17 million, the Centre is now the largest hydrometallurgical research organization in the world with 12 industrial partners representing most of the leading mining companies in the world. Under Ian’s leadership, the Centre has been recognized with three awards: the 1996 Western Australian Industry and Export Award for Research, a 1999 Inaugural Award for Technology Transfer from the Cooperative Research Centres’ Association, and the 1999 Business and Higher Education Round Table Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Collaborative Research and Development involving a Cooperative Research Centre.
The Parker Centre has become a focus of world-class efforts to provide technical solutions to the minerals industry. Hydrometallurgy activities encompass both fundamental and applied research in alumina, gold, and base-metal sectors. The Centre is now growing its client base into overseas markets, particularly North America, South Africa and Europe. Quality, strategic R&D by the Centre is seen by the industry as an attractive investment. A recent survey of the industry revealed an estimated ten-fold return based on direct costs of research to the client. In addition, the Centre has a strong commitment to education of postgraduate students wishing to enter the mining industry as well as providing specialist courses for those technical professionals already employed in the industry. The wide range of employment opportunities in the mining industry is reflected in the diversity of the disciplines amongst the Centre’s research team: extractive metallurgy, chemistry, biotechnology, physics, engineering, molecular modeling, microscopy, geology and computational fluid dynamics.
Typical examples of Parker Centre research activities include using (1) atomic force microscopy and molecular modeling to control gypsum scaling and improve the understanding of alumina crytallization in a Bayer plant, (2) biology to hasten the leaching kinetics of copper from chalcopyrite, improve the degradation of thiocyanate and cyanide in gold process waters, and modify the (3) computational fluid dynamics and lasers to make thickeners work more efficiently, (4) strain gages and metallography to determine the electrowinning conditions to minimize stressing in cobalt and nickel production, (5) solvent extraction to remove manganese from cobalt/nickel process solutions, separate rare-earth metals such as neodymium from one another, and examine phase separation and organic degradation as well as cross-contamination of solvent extractants, (6) synergists to improve selectivity of given solvent extractants as alternatives to the expensive option of developing new extractants, (7) modern gravity recovery techniques to pre-concentrate gold prior to hydrometallurgical processing, (8) geotechnical parameters to understand and model heap leaching kinetics, predict the leaching behavior of preg-robbing ores as well as the effect of minerals on thiosulfate leaching of gold, and oxidize sulfide minerals to thiosulfate for gold dissolution, (9) traditional research methods to minimize copper-catalyzed oxidation of thiosulfate and to improve upon ferric ion precipitation from nickel-laterite leach solutions as well as the leaching kinetics of base metals by chloride and of gold by ammonium thiosulfate both with and without copper, (10) autoclaves to determine the effect of chloride on pyrite oxidation, and (11) sulfur dioxide to produce ferrous cation which reductively dissolves manganese dioxide. In fact, contributions from these activities to Hydro 2003 Symposium and Proceedings are major and greatly contribute to its success. These contributions come from multi-disciplinary teams which help keep the hydrometallurgical community on top of cutting-edge technology.
Session Chairs and Co-Chairs
Opening Remarks
Dave Dreisinger
Metals and Materials Engineering
U of British Columbia
Vancouver BC Canada
Akram Alfantazi
Metals and Materials Engineering
U of British Columbia
Vancouver BC Canada
Honorary Plenary
Courtney Young
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Montana Tech
Butte MT USA
Cyanide
Bill Staunton
A. J. Parker Centre for Hydrometallurgy
Murdoch University
Murdoch WA Australia
John Hollow
Fairbanks Gold Mining, Inc.
PO Box 73726
Fairbanks AK USA
Alternatives and Thiosulfate I
Phil Thompson
Dawson Metallurgical Laboratories, Inc.
2030 N. Redwood Road, Suite 70
Salt Lake City UT USA
Mike Nicol
A. J. Parker Centre for Hydrometallurgy
Murdoch University
Murdoch WA Australia
Thiosulfate II
Mark Aylmore
A.J. Parker Centre for Hydrometallurgy
CSIRO Minerals
Perth WA Australia
Chris Flemming
Lakefield Research Limited
185 Concession
Lakefield Ontario Canada
Heap Leaching I
Larry Todd
Leaching & Environmental
Phelps Dodge Process Technology Center
Safford AZ USA
Pragna Bhakta
Newmont Mining Corporation
PO Box 669
Carlin NV USA
Heap Leaching II and General
Greg Wardell-Johnson
A. J. Parker Centre for Hydrometallurgy
Murdoch University
Murdoch WA Australia
Mark Vancas
Bateman Engineering
350 S. Williams Blvd., Suite 230
Tucson AZ USA
Fundamentals I
Courtney Young
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Montana Tech
Butte MT USA
Pat Taylor
Metallurgical & Mining Engineering
Colorado School of Mines
Golden CO USA
Fundamentals II
James Budac
Sherritt International
10101 114th Street
Fort Saskatchewan AB Canada
Corby Anderson
CAMP Montana Tech Butte MT USA
Chloride
Gus van Weert
Metals and Materials Engineering
U of British Columbia
Vancouver BC Canada
Dirk Verhulst
Altair Nanomaterials Inc.
204 Edison Way
Reno NV USA
Pressure and Autoclave
Ken Lamb
AMEC E&C Services
111 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 400
Vancouver BC Canada
V. Ramachandran
RAM Consultants
9650 E. Peregrine Place
Scottsdale AZ USA
Ion Exchange
Gerald Sterzik
Teck Cominco Metals
Box 1000
Trail BC Canada
Khosrow Nikkah
AMEC Mining and Metals Consulting
111 Dunsmuir Street, Suite 400
Vancouver BC Canada
Adsorption and Solvent Extraction I
Don Ibana
A.J. Parker Centre for Hydrometallurgy
Curtin University of Technology
Perth WA Australia
Saskia Duyvestyn
Metallurgical Engineering
University of Utah Salt Lake City UT USA
Solvent Extraction II
Charles Maes
CYTEC 2085 E. Technology Circle, Suite 300
Tempe AZ USA
Juris Harlamovs
Teck Cominco Metals
Box 1000
Trail BC Canada
Solvent Extraction III
Kathy Sole
Anglo American Research
Laboratories (Pty) Ltd
Johannesburg South Africa
Mark Dietz
Chemistry Division
Argonne National Laboratory
Argonne IL USA
Solvent Extraction IV
Jim Lommen
Fluor Daniel Inc
Address 10547 W 69th PI
Arvada CO USA
David Hughes
Outokumpu Technology Group
Riihitontuntie 7 C
Espoo Finland
Plenaries
Bryn Harris
Process Research Ortech
Mississauga ON Canada
Amy James
The Shaw Group, Inc.
Denver CO USA
Corby Anderson
CAMP/Montana Tech
Butte MT USA
Electrochemistry
Akram Alfantazi
Metals and Materials Engineering
U of British Columbia
Vancouver BC Canada
Kwadwo Osseo-Asare
Pennsylvania State University
Materials Science and Engineering
University Park PA USA
Precipitation I
Dave Dreisinger
Metals and Materials Engineering
U of British Columbia
Vancouver BC Canada
David Muir
A.J. Parker Centre for Hydrometallurgy
CSIRO Minerals
Perth WA Australia
Precipitation II
Larry Twidwell
Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Montana Tech
Butte MT USA
John Dutrizac
CANMET
555 Booth Street
Ottawa ON Canada
Precipitation III and Electrowinning I
Phil Guerney
JKTech - JKMRC
University of Queensland
Indooroopilly QLD Australia
Tim Robinson
Phelps Dodge Process Technology Center
9780 E. Sanchez Road
Safford AZ USA
Electrowinning II
Tony Bagshaw
AMIRA International Limited Research
PO Box 1368
W. Perth WA Australia
Andreas Siegmund
RSR Technologies, Inc.
2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 1800
Dallas TX USA
Electrowinning III
Peter Mason
Falconbridge (Australia) Pty. Ltd.
Suite 701, Level 7, 9 Sherwood Road
Toowong QLD Australia
Doug Robinson
Dremco, Inc.
via Bistolfi 35
Milano Italy
Acid Rock Drainage
Lynn McCloskey
MSE Technology Applications, Inc.
200 Technology Way
Butte MT USA
Phil Sibbrell
US Geological Survey
Leetown Sci. Ctr.
Kearneysville WV USA
Arsenic
Nick Welham
A. J. Parker Centre for Hydrometallurgy
Murdoch University
Murdoch WA Australia
Bryn Harris
3670 Sainte Famille
Montreal Quebec Canada
Environment
Doug Alexander
Anglo American Research
Laboratories (Pty) LtdUniversity of Arizona
Johannesburg South Africa
Brent Hiskey
Materials Science & Engineering
University of Arizona
Tucson AZ USA
Recycling
Rob Stephens
Teck Cominco Metals
Box 1000
Trail BC Canada
Paul Queneau
P.B. Queneau & Associates Inc.
5906 McIntyre St., Bldg. 2
Golden CO USA
Operations
Nick Hazen
Hazen Research
4601 Indiana Street
Golden CO USA
John Marsden
Phelps Dodge Corporation
1 N. Central Avenue
Phoenix AZ USA
Consideration of environmental and human health issues in metallurgy is growing rapidly. While not all metallurgists need to have detailed expertise in environmental and health questions, they should be aware of the challenges the metals industry faces, be able to interact with colleagues in other sciences and contribute to sound metal resource management. Hydrometallurgists occupy a unique position among metallurgists because of their knowledge of the behaviour of metals in aqueous systems, which are of fundamental importance in understanding environmental chemistry and human toxicology. As a result, hydrometallurgists should more frequently and passionately lend their expertise in assessing environmental and health risks of metals and in helping to develop effective global guidelines, regulations and process and product stewardship strategies, thereby enabling metals to continue their beneficial service to society.
When we use the term hydrometallurgy we usually mean the art, science, and technology of the aqueous treatment of metal-bearing ores for the purpose of extracting, separating and refining valuable metals. Most people who call themselves hydrometallurgists are engaged in some aspect of extractive metallurgy or metals processing. What possible interest could these people have in environmental and health stewardship, which is the theme of this paper?
There are two primary reasons why hydrometallurgists should be interested in stewardship. First, there is the interest that all metallurgists have in their continued livelihoods. As metals find themselves under increasing customer and regulatory scrutiny that aims to severely restrict the uses of metals, or outright ban the uses of certain metals, there is a threat to those livelihoods. If metals cannot be sold, metallurgists will not be needed. This paper will discuss some recent regulatory initiatives and the challenges the metals industry faces from them.
Second, there should be a specific interest by hydrometallurgists in environmental stewardship because aquatic media, the media where hydrometallurgists ply their trade, are essential pathways for metal movement among compartments (freshwater lakes, rivers, marine waters, soil and sediment pore waters) and physico-chemical conditions within these compartments control metal speciation and the ultimate expression of toxicities. While all metallurgists should be interested in using their knowledge to assist in intelligent and wise decision-making on the safe use of metals, hydrometallurgists, because of their unique knowledge of the aqueous chemistry of metals, are particularly well-suited to help provide sound understandings of the ways in which metals behave in the environment, and thus to influence risk management decisions for metals.
This paper is aimed to alert hydrometallurgists to certain challenges their industry faces and to encourage their assistance in helping resolve them. It is not my aim to review in a comprehensive manner the litany of international activities with respect to metals. Rather, I will give some specific cases that serve to illustrate the types of actions underway and to suggest industry measures that will likely play a key role in sustaining the continued safe use of metals. Nor is it my aim to review the behaviour of all metals in the environment. I aim instead to describe some generic properties and to give some specific information on certain metals to serve as illustrations.
I use the term stewardship to refer to the metal industry’s responsibilities and obligations to manage our operations and the products from our operations (both desired and undesired products) with moral regard to the rights and safety of others. While industry stewardship can be encouraged through charters and governing policies of industry associations, the details of stewardship remain the responsibilities of individual companies, plants, departments, and individual employees.
“Sustainable development”, which has received widespread attention over the last decade [1], is a part of stewardship. Management system standards, such as the ISO 9000 (quality) and ISO 14000 (environmental management systems) series of standards, aim to aid stewardship. Most metals resource companies are involved in these activities because they recognize that their license to continue operating is granted by society, and it is clear that society is requiring a deepening of industrial resolve to manage its processes and products properly.
The response of the metals industry to improving its stewardship is encouraging, as witnessed by the work of the Mining, Minerals and Sustainable Development (MMSD) Project [2]. However, the existence of political pressures is resulting in very rapid environmental and health actions in many jurisdictions worldwide. The speed with which some of these actions are being adopted and regulations promulgated, where careful scientific analyses are often replaced by expedient politics, is of great concern for both the effectiveness of the actions and the possible drastic consequences that may result to certain industrial sectors such as the metals industry.
It is a common misconception that the words hazard and risk are synonymous. This has resulted in much confusion by legislators, regulators and the public. A substance is hazardous if it has the potential to cause a harmful effect to any organism at some dose by any route of exposure. A hazard is associated with a substance if it is the source of the toxic species, even though the toxic species might have a different structure or composition than its parent substance. Hazard identification involves the determination of the nature and strength of a toxic response as a function of dose.
Risk is the probability that a hazard will actually exert its effect. For example, water is hazardous, yet swimming has an acceptably low risk provided appropriate precautions and supervision are practiced. Risk is only present if a dose of the toxin is received. The probability of receiving a dose is related to the amount of exposure to the toxin. Exposure assessment takes into account the magnitude of exposure, the pathways and rates (e.g., frequency, duration) by which a dose may be delivered.
Not all severely hazardous substances present a large risk. A risk is only present if the exposure (and dose received) is sufficient to increase the probability of harm to an unacceptable level. It follows that zero risk, when a hazard is present, is not possible. However, negligible or acceptably small risks are possible. Risk assessment, when properly conducted, allows priorities to be set to achieve appropriate allocation of resources and sound decision-making for managing the risk. Risk assessment is therefore an essential component of stewardship.
When concern about potential risks from chemical pollutants dawned in the middle of the 20th