Lead Metal Production at Paroo Station Mine Using Leach-Electrowinning Process in Methane Sulfonic Acid Solution

摘要

The Paroo Station lead mine, located in Western Australia and owned by LeadFX, has historically produced a lead flotation concentrate from a lead carbonate (cerussite) orebody. The shipment of the 67% lead concentrate from the mine site to smelters is subject to strict environmental controls and high product handling, logistics, treatment, and refining charges due to the transport distance and the lack of intrinsic fuel value and by-product elements. An innovative solution was required to process the concentrate on-site to reduce environmental risk and cost. A hydromet-allurgical process has been studied at bench, pilot, and demonstration plant scale. The process involves leaching and electrowinning of lead in a methane sulfonic acid solution. A Definitive Feasibility Study has been' prepared for production of up to 80,000 tonnes per annum of lead metal at Paroo Station lead mine over a 17-year mine life. The results of the testing and the engineering study are presented.