Zinc Production Practice at Zhuzhou Smelter, Hunan, China

摘要

The zinc plant of Zhuzhou smelter uses a conventional hydrometallurgical process with two-stage leaching and the Waelz process for treatment of leaching residue. Many technical improvements have been made since the plant went on stream in 1968. A high recovery of zinc, high-grade zinc and other products, good overall utilization of raw materials and good technical-economic targets have been obtained in the plant. The basic characteristics of the technology are: (1) hydro-transportation and continuous leaching of the calcine; (2) improved leaching process providing good conditions for pulp clarification and solution purification; (3) treatment of zinc oxide with preliminary F, Cl volatilization and In, Ge, Ga and Tl recovery; (4) low energy consumption in solution purification and electro-winning; (5) volatilizing process for treatment of leach on residue and fixing As in the clinker; and (6) advanced comprehensive utilization of the zinc concentrates, from which Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, Co, In, Ge, Ga, Tl, S and Ag are recovered.