:: Chilean SX Project Almost Complete

Bateman's first solvent-extraction project in Chile, a design-engineering contract to establish a 25,000 t/y SX/EW plant for the Mantos de Luna copper project, is nearing completion.

This JV, between Bateman and Minmetal, a local Chilean engineering and construction firm, uses the proprietary reverse-flow, mixer-settler technology: the Bateman Settler. Plant construction is due to be complete by the last quarter.

The project is near Tocopilla in Chile's Region II. Its coastal proximity allows it to use sea water to leach the copper ores and necessitates using chloride-resistant materials for construction.

Advantages of using the Bateman Settler are:

• High process efficiency with low organic loss
• A compact layout
• Short construction time
• Low capital cost
• Ease of operation and maintenance.

Metals processed by Bateman Settlers include copper, cobalt, nickel and zinc. Plant capacities range from a pregnant leach solution flow rate of 15-11,000 litres/min.