ALBION PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY ORES Duncan Turner (Core - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

ALBION PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY ORES Duncan Turner (Core Resources) Mike Hourn (Xstrata Technology) 1

Presentation Topics • Overview of Albion Process • Fine Grinding - IsaMill • Sulphide Oxidation - Albion Process • Commercial Plant - Flowsheet & Equipment • Capital & Operating Costs • Project Updates • Project Development Program 2

Albion Process Overview 3

Albion Process Overview • Combination of Fine Grinding and Atmospheric Oxidative Leaching to breakdown sulphide minerals (e.g. pyrite) to make refractory gold available for cyanide leaching Stirred Mills Atmospheric Pressure Feed P 80 ~75 µm Temperature ~95 o C Product P 80 10-12 µm Oxygen Injection ~20-30 hours 4

Albion Process Overview • Leaching of sulphides minerals often yield by-products and precipitates that passivate or blind the mineral surface as the minerals dissolve. • Passivation normally complete when precipitate layer is 2-3 µ m thick. • The combination of fine grinding and Albion Process leach conditions overcomes passivation of mineral surfaces by precipitates allowing sulphide oxidation to continue to the desired extent Mineral particle size of P 80 8-12 µ m prevents passivation Temperature and pH regime of Neutral Albion Process leach results in low density precipitates that passivate slowly Unleached 9 micron Leached particle Particle with over 96 % volume dissolution 5

Albion Process Overview • Developed in 1994 originally by MIM Holding Limited 6

Albion Process Overview • MIM Holding focused on own projects with Albion Process a strategic technology to their gold business and project acquisition opportunities/targets • 2004 - Xstrata PLC bought MIM Holdings with Xstrata more involved in base metal projects • 2005 - Albion Process launched by Xstrata Technology with the technology then available outside of Xstrata Group • 2005 - Core Resources became global marketing agent for Albion Process • Late 2005 - first licence issued for Las Lagunas Project • Late 2006 - second licence issued for Certej Project 7

Albion Process Overview • Process is patented worldwide  Australian Patent No. 700850 (Acid Albion Process)  Australian Patent No. 744356 (Neutral Albion Process) • Two licenses issued • One plant under construction to be commissioned early 2011 • Other projects in advanced stages of testing and engineering Las Lagunas Project Dominican Republic 8

Albion Process Overview • Xstrata Technology are the technology providers for Albion Process equipment  Albion Process Reactor including design and supply of mechanically agitated modular and field erected tanks  Oxygen injection technology (HyperSparge)  Process control, instrumentation and automation • Suppliers of other technologies: • Located in Brisbane, Australia • www.xstratatech.com 9

Albion Process Overview • Core Resources Pty Ltd - global marketing agents • Testwork conducted at hrl testing (Brisbane, only accredited lab) www.coreresources.com.au www.albionprocess.com www.hrltesting.com 10