:: Outokumpu to Deliver World's Largest Copper Solvent Extraction Plant for Minera Escondida, Chile

Outokumpu Technology will design and deliver a new world-class VSFTM Solvent Extraction Plant for Minera Escondida Limitada for its Sulfide Leach Project in Chile. The contract value is over EUR 40 million.

Outokumpu Technology's scope includes engineering, proprietary equipment and supplies, construction, erection, training, commissioning and start-up supervision services. The new plant will be located at the existing Minera Escondida's mine site, approximately 160 km east of Antofagasta in the II Region of Chile. The plant will be operational in 2006.

The new plant uses Outokumpu's advanced Vertical Smooth Flow technology and it will be the largest plant of its kind in the world. The feed solution throughput capacity is 9 000 m3/h with only two solvent extraction lines. The estimated production of the plant will be 180 000 mtpy cathode copper.