Publication Cover
Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy
Transactions of the Institutions of Mining and Metallurgy
Volume 128, 2019 - Issue 1-2
481
Views
2
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
NON-FERROUS CONVERTERS

Converter processing of platinum group metals

, , &
Pages 134-159 | Received 21 May 2018, Accepted 25 Jul 2018, Published online: 16 Aug 2018

References

  • Anderson LE, Floyd JM, Lightfoot BW, Muller R. 1985. Smelting of Olympic Dam Copper Concentrates using Sirosmelt Technology. In: TMS-AIME fall extractive meeting on complex sulfides; processing of ores, concentrates and by-products. San Diego, CA: TMS-AIME; p. 623–634.
  • Bakker ML, Nikolic S, Alvear GRF. 2011. ISACONVERT™—continuous converting of nickel/PGM matte with calcium ferrite slag. JOM. 63(5):60–65. doi: 10.1007/s11837-011-0079-1
  • Baldock BR, Chard IL, Elliot BJ, Willis GM, Floyd JM, Robilliard KR. 1993. Desulphurisation of high-grade nickel matte from Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter using AUSMELT technology. In: Reddy RG, Weizenbach RN, editors. The Paul E. Queneau international symposium extractive metallurgy of copper, nickel and cobalt volume I: fundamental aspects. Denver, CO: TMS; p. 1081–1100.
  • Beath CB, Westwood RJ, Cousins CA. 1961. Platinum mining at Rustenburg – The development of operating methods. Platinum Metals Rev. 5(3):102–108.
  • Bezuidenhout GA, Eksteen JJ, Akdogan GA, Van Beek B, Wendt W, Persson W. 2017. Implementation of flame optical emission spectroscopy system for converter Fe end-point control associated with Ni-Cu-S-PGM converter mattes. Miner Eng. 100(1):132–143. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2016.10.024
  • Biswas AK, Davenport WG. 1994. Extractive metallurgy of copper. 3rd ed. New York: Wiley; p. 259.
  • Boldt JR. 1967. The winning of Nickel: Its geology, mining, and extractive metallurgy. Editor, Paul Queneau. Publisher, Methuen; p. 249–288.
  • Brimacombe JK, Bustos AA, Jorgensen D, Richards GG. 1985. Towards a basic understanding of injection phenomena in the copper converters. In: Proceedings of the physical chemistry of extractive metallurgy symposium. New York, NY: AIME; p. 327–351.
  • Bustos AA, Brimacombe JK, Richards GG. 1988. Accretion growth at the tuyeres of a Peirce–Smith copper converter. Can Metall Quart. 27(l):7–21. doi: 10.1179/cmq.1988.27.1.7
  • Bustos A, Cardoen M, Janssens B. 1995. High oxygen enrichment at UM–Hoboken Converters. Proceedings of the Copper 95 – Cobre 95 International Conference– Volume IV–Pyrometallurgy of Copper. Nov 26–29, 1995, Santiago, Chile; p. 255–269.
  • Bustos AA, Ip SW, O’Connell G, Kaiura GH, Toguri JM. 1988. Converting simulation at Falconbridge Limited. In: Tyroler GP, Landolt CA, editors. Extractive metallurgy of nickel and cobalt. Warrendale: TMS; p. 335–354.
  • Bustos AA, Kapusta JP, Macnamara BR, Coffin MR. 1999. High oxygen shrouded injection at Falconbridge. In: Díaz C, Landolt C, Utigard T, editors. Proceedings of copper 99:cobre 99 international conference volume VI–smelting. Warrendale: Technology Development, Process Modeling and Fundamentals, TMS; p. 93–106.
  • Choi N, Cho WD. 1997 Jun. Distribution behavior of cobalt, selenium, and tellurium between nickel-copper-iron matte and silica-saturated iron silicate slag. Metall Mater Trans B. 28:429–438. doi: 10.1007/s11663-997-0109-0
  • Coetzee V. 2006. Common-sense improvements to electric smelting at Impala Platinum. In: Jones RT, editor. Southern African pyrometallurgy 2006, SAIMM. Johannesburg: Cradle of Humankind; p. 63–76.
  • Coleman AP. 1913. The nickel industry: With special reference to the Sudbury region, Ontario (Ottawa. ON: Government Printing Bureau. 170:1–206.
  • Crundwell F, Moats M, Ramachandran V, Robinson T, Davenport WG. 2011. Extractive metallurgy of nickel, cobalt and platinum group metals. 1st ed: Elsevier.
  • Cuthbert G, White R, Martin B, Doyle C, Hrepic J, Díaz C. 1997. The effect of slag composition control on the performance of magnesite-chrome refractory linings in top blown rotary converters. CIM Bull. 90(1011):87–90.
  • Czernowalow M. 2004. Crocodile River Platinum-mine to be reopened, Mining Weekly. http://www.miningweekly.com/print-version/crocodile-river-platinum-mine-is-set-to-be-reopened-2004-07-23.
  • Donald JR, Warner AEM, Dalvi AD, Scholey K, Ross A, Harris C. 2005. Risks and opportunities in continuous converting for nickel at Inco. In: Ross A, Warner T, Scholey K, editors. Converter and fire refining practice. Warrendale, PA: TMS; p. 295–307.
  • Exploring Unicore Precious Metals Refining. 2005. httpambientair.rec.orgdocumentsumicore, 01/2005; p. 1–12.
  • Font J, Hino M, Itagaki K. 1998. Solubility of copper or nickel in iron-silicate base slag equilibrated with Cu2S-FeS or Ni3S2-FeS matte under high partial pressures of SO2. Mater Trans JIM. 39(8):652–657. doi: 10.2320/matertrans1989.39.652
  • Font J, Hino M, Itagaki K. 2000. Phase equilibrium and minor-element distribution between Ni3S2-FeS matte and calcium ferrite slag under high partial pressures of SO2. Metall Mater Trans B. 31(6):1231–1239. doi: 10.1007/s11663-000-0010-6
  • Font JM, Takeda Y, Itagaki K. 1998. Phase equilibrium between iron-silicate base slag and nickel-iron matte at 1573 K under high partial pressures of SO2. Mater Trans, JIM. 39(6):652–657. doi: 10.2320/matertrans1989.39.652
  • Forbes JE. 1977. Oxygen enrichment of the converter air at Rustenburg Platinum Mines. J SAIMM. 1:132–153.
  • Georgalli GA, Eksteen JJ, Reuter MA. 2002. An integrated thermochemical-systems approach to the prediction of matte composition dynamics in an Ausmelt nickel–copper matte converter. Miner Eng. 15:909–917. doi: 10.1016/S0892-6875(02)00119-X
  • George DB. 2002. Continuous copper converting - a perspective and view of the future. In: Stephens RL, Sohn HY, editor. Sulfide smelting. Seattle, WA: TMS; p. 3–13.
  • Gouldsmith AFS, Wilson B. 1963. Extraction and refining of the platinum metals: A complex cycle of smelting, electrolytic and chemical operations. Platinum Metals Rev. 7(4):136–143.
  • Gronningsater A, Drummond PR. 1942. Notes on the operation of the basic copper (and copper-nickel) converter. Trans CIM. XLV:99–139.
  • Hidayat T, Shishin D, Grimsey D, Hayes PC, Jak E. 2018 Feb. The integration of plant sample analysis, laboratory studies, and thermodynamic modeling to predict slag-matte equilibria in nickel sulfide converting. Metall Mater Trans B. 49B:132–145. doi: 10.1007/s11663-017-1127-1
  • Hochreiter RC, Kennedy DC, Muir W, Wood AI. 1985. Platinum in South Africa (metal review series no. 3). J SAIMM. 85(6):165–185.
  • Hoffman RR, Kaiura GH. 1988. Process update at Falconbridge Limited - Sudbury operations. In: Taylor JC, Traulsen HR, editors. World survey of non-ferrous smelters. Phoenix, AZ: TMS; p. 311–334.
  • Holappa L, Jalkanen H. 2003. Copper converting versus steel converting – a critical comparison. In: Kongoli FK, Itagaki K, Yamauchi C, Sohn HY, editors. Yazawa international symposium metallurgical and materials processing: principles and technologies volume II: high–temperature metals production. San Diego: TMS; p. 401–415.
  • Jones RT. 1999. Platinum smelting in South Africa. S Afr J Sci. 95:525–534.
  • Kapusta JPT, Davis J, Bezuidenhout GA, Lefume S S, Chibwe DK. 2012. Industrial evaluation of sonic injection in a Peirce–Smith converter at the Lonmin Platinum Smelter. In: Schonewille RH, Rioux D, Kashani–Nejad S, Kreuh M, Muinonen MES, editors, Towards Clean Metallurgical Processing for Profit, Social and Environmental Stewardship, Proceedings of the 51st Annual Conference of Metallurgists of CIM (COM 2012), Sep 30–Oct 3, Niagara, ON. Ed; p. 43–58.
  • Kapusta JPT, Stickling H, Tai W. 2005. High oxygen shrouded injection at Falconbridge: five years of operation. In: Ross A, Warner T, Scholey K, editors, Converter and Fire Refining Practice, Feb 13–17, San Francisco, CA. TMS, Warrendale, PA; p. 47–60.
  • Kellogg HH. 1987. Thermochemistry of nickel-matte converting. Can Metall Quart. 26(4):285–298. doi: 10.1179/cmq.1987.26.4.285
  • Kellogg HH, Díaz C. 1992. Bath smelting processes in non-ferrous pyrometallurgy: an overview. In: Brimacombe JK, Mackey PJ, Kor GJW, Bickert C, Ranade MG, editors. Proceedings of the Savard/Lee international symposium on bath smelting. Warrendale, PA: TMS; p. 39–65.
  • Landolt CA, Taylor JC. 1988. Nickel smelters – survey review. In: Taylor JC, Traulsen HR, editors. World survey of non-ferrous smelters. Phoenix, AZ: TMS; p. 121–155.
  • Lehner T, Ishikawa O, Smith T, Floyd J, Mackey P, Landolt C. 1994. The 1993 survey of worldwide copper and nickel converting practices. In: McCain JD, Floyd JM, editor. International symposium on converting, fire-refining and casting. Warrendale, PA: TMS; p. 1–58.
  • Lindsay N, Tredoux M, Sellschop F. 1994. Mineralogical evaluation of PGE behaviour in Fe-Ni-S and Cu-Ni-S mattes and fayalite slag: geological implications. The AusIMM Proceedings. 2:95–106.
  • Liu Q. 1991. Development of nickel smelting at Jinchuan nickel smelter, China. In: Vereecken J, editor. EMC ‘91: Non-ferrous metallurgy-present and future. Brussels, Belgium: IMM; p. 165–174.
  • Mabiza L. 2006. An overview of PGM smelting in Zimbabwe – Zimplats operations. In: Jones RT, editor. Southern African pyrometallurgy 2006, SAIMM. Johannesburg, South Africa: Cradle of Humankind; p. 63–76.
  • Mäkinen T, Fagerlund K, Anjala Y, Rosenback L. 2005. Outokumpu's technologies for efficient and environmentally sound nickel production. COM 2005: Nickel and Cobalt, August 21–24, 2005, Calgary, AL; p. 71–89.
  • Mäkinen T, Pienimäki K, Dhulipala P, Mponda E. 2010. Elegant solution for challenging Zambian raw material base. Erzmetall. 63(6):292–300.
  • Marcuson SW. 2009. A century of converter operation in Vale Inco’s Ontario operations. In: Kapusta J, Warner A, editors. International Peirce–Smith converting centennial. San Francisco, CA: TMS; p. 103–125.
  • Matousek JW, Whellock JG. 1990. Precious metals losses in pyrometallurgical processing. CIM Bull. 1:97–101.
  • Matusewicz R, Hughes S, Hoang J. 2007. The AUSMELT continuous copper converting (C3) process. In: Warner AEM, Newman CJ, Vahed A, George DB, Mackey PJ, Warczok A, editors. Cu2007 - Vol. III (book 2), The Carlos Díaz symposium on pyrometallurgy. Toronto, ON: GDMB; p. 29–47.
  • McCullough SD, Geldenhuys IJ, Jones RT. 2008. Pyrometallurgical iron removal from a PGM-containing alloy. Third International Platinum Conference ‘Platinum in Transformation’, SAIMM; p. 169–176.
  • Mining Engineering. 1968. Russia – nickel industry shows growth. Min Eng. 10:108–109.
  • MMC Norilsk Nickel Annual Report. 2013. Rethinking our strategic priorities. https://www.nornickel.com/files/en/gsm/agm2014/materials/NN_AR_2013_en-fin-na-20-iyunya(1).pdf; p. 44–56.
  • Mounsey EN, Floyd JM, Baldock BR. 1998. Copper converting at Bindura Nickel Corporation using Ausmelt technology. In: Asteljoki JA, Stephens RL, editors. Sulfide smelting ‘98: current and future practices. San Antonio, TX: TMS; p. 287–301.
  • Muinonen S, Jabbar R, Cummings A, Goodall G. 2017. The Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations converting practice, an update. COM2017. The Conference of Metallurgists hosting World Gold & Nickel Cobalt; Aug 27–30, Vancouver, BC.
  • Neal RJ, Reyburn RA. 1979. Converter operating practice at the Copper Cliff smelter of the Inco metals company. In: Johnson RE, editor. Copper and nickel converters. New York, NY: TMS (AIME); p. 167–184.
  • Nell J. 2004. Melting of platinum group metal concentrates in South Africa. VII International Conference on Molten Slags Fluxes and Salts, Cape Town, South Africa, 25–28 Jan, SAIMM; p. 165–170.
  • NorNickel. 2018. https://www.nornickel.com/business/assets.
  • NorNickel Strategy Update. 2017. Investing in Sustainable Development. https://www.nornickel.com/news-and-media/media-library/?type=presentation&limit=all#24251, London, Nov 2017; p. 10–21.
  • Paakkonen E, Mattelmaki M. 1996 Nov 27–29. The direct Outokumpu nickel smelting (DON) process and the Harjavalta expansion. Nickel. 96:235–242.
  • Pandher R, Muinonen SJ, Jabbar R, Muinonen M, Goodall G. 2017. Discrete event simulation of the Glencore Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations converter aisle. COM2017. The Conference of Metallurgists hosting World Gold & Nickel Cobalt; Aug 27–30, Vancouver, BC.
  • Pelletier A, Mackey P, Southwick L, Wraith A. 2009. Before Peirce and Smith – The Manhes converter: Its development and some reflections for today. In: Kapusta J, Warner A, editors. International Peirce–Smith converting centennial. San Francisco, CA: TMS; p. 29–50.
  • Pigarev SP, Tsymbulov LB, Istomin SA, Selivanov EN, Chumarev VM. 2012. Structure and properties of the slags of continuous converting of copper nickel-containing mattes and concentrates: II. effect of the SiO2/CaO ratio on the structure and liquidus temperature of the slags. Russian Metallurgy (Metally). 2012(3):171–177. doi: 10.1134/S003602951203010X
  • Piskunen P, Avarmaa K, O’Brien H, Klemettinen L, Johto H, Taskinen P. 2018 Feb. Precious metal distributions in direct nickel matte smelting with low-Cu mattes. Metall Mater Trans B. 49:98–112. doi: 10.1007/s11663-017-1115-5
  • Queneau P, O'Neill CE, Illis A, Warner JS. 1969 Jul. Some novel aspects of the pyrometallurgy and vapometallurgy of nickel. JOM. 21:35–45. doi: 10.1007/BF03378898
  • Reznik ID. 1993a. Flowsheets of cobalt recovery from nickel and copper - nickel ores in Russia. In: Reddy RG, Weizenbach RN, editors. The Paul E. Queneau international symposium extractive metallurgy of copper, nickel and cobalt volume I: fundamental aspects. Denver, CO: TMS; p. 1293–1304.
  • Reznik ID. 1993b. Regularities of cobalt and nickel distribution between smelting products. In: Reddy RG, Weizenbach RN, editors. The Paul E. Queneau international symposium extractive metallurgy of copper, nickel and cobalt volume I: fundamental aspects. Denver, CO: TMS; p. 169–182.
  • Roset GK, Matousek JW, Marcantonio PJ. 1992. Converting practices at the Stillwater precious metals smelter. JOM. 44(4):39–42. doi: 10.1007/BF03222819
  • Salt B, Cerilli E. 2009. Evolution of the converter aisle at Xstrata nickel’s Sudbury smelter. In: Kapusta J, Warner A, editors. The international Peirce–Smith converting centennial symposium. San Francisco, CA: TMS; p. 135–149.
  • Sorokin ML, Bystrov VP, Nikolaev AG, Komkov AA. 1993. Thermodynamic of nickel matte converting. In: McCain JD, Floyd JM, editor. Converting, fire refining and casting. San Francisco, CA: TMS; p. 59–68.
  • Steyn CW, Brooks KS. 2017. De-bottlenecking of the Anglo Platinum Converting Process utilizing advanced process control, Control Conference Africa 2017, IFAC (International Federation of Automatic Control) hosting by Elsevier Ltd., 7–8 Dec, Johannesburg, South Africa, 50; p. 1–6.
  • Suikkanen P, Haavanlammi K, Hietala K. 2014. 20 years of DON process and its new benefits for Cu–Ni–PGM bulk concentrates. COM 2014 – Conference of Metallurgists Proceedings. Sep 28 – Oct 1, Vancouver, BC.
  • Tan P, Ball J, Hogg B, Snashall D, Telford P. 2011. Modeling of copper converter foamover and operational improvements. EPD Congress 2011, 27 Feb–3 Mar, San Diego, CA. TMS; p. 787–799.
  • Tan P, Vix P, Telford P. 2006. Control of Foaming Phenomena during Copper Blow in Copper P-S Converter. EPD Congress 2006, Mar 12–16, San Antonio, TX. TMS; p. 461–474.
  • Tarasov AV, Leontyev LI, Rozenberg ZHI. 2006. Environmental problems of metallurgical plants in Polar Regions and ways for their solution (Norilsk region as an example). In: Kongoli F and Reddy RG, editors, Sohn International Symposium Advanced Processing of Metals and Materials Volume 1 – Thermo And Physicochemical Principles: Non–Ferrous High–Temperature Processing. TMS; p. 295–299.
  • Thoburn WJ, Tyroler PM. 1979. Optimization of TBRC operation and control at Inco’s Copper Cliff nickel refinery. In: Copper and nickel converters. Warrendale, PA: TMS (AIME); p. 274–290.
  • Toscano P, Utigard TA. 2003. Nickel, copper, and cobalt slag losses during converting. Metall Mater Trans B. 34(1):121–125. doi: 10.1007/s11663-003-0062-5
  • Toscano P, Utigard TA. 2004. Slag loss control with bessemer mattes. CIM Bull. 97(1076):71–74.
  • Tsymbulov LB, Yertseva LN. 2006. On the interrelation of solid and liquid states in sulphide systems containing Cu, Ni, Co, Fe and determination of the metallisation level of the components in melts. In: Kongoli F, Reddy RG, editors. Sohn international symposium advanced processing of metals and materials volume 1 – thermo And physicochemical principles: Non–ferrous high–temperature processing. San Diego: TMS; p. 375–386.
  • Umicore – History. 2018. http://pmr.umicore.com/en/about-us/history/.
  • Vanbellen F, Chintinne M. 2006. The precious art of metals recycling. In: Kongoli F, Reddy RG, editor. Sohn international symposium. advanced processing of metals and materials volume 1 – thermo and physicochemical principles: Non–ferrous high–temperature processing. Warrendale, PA: TMS; p. 43–52.
  • Viviers P, Hines K. 2005. The new Anglo Platinum Converting project. Proceedings of the First Extractive Metallurgy Operators’ Conference, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. AusIMM:101–108.
  • Warner AEM, Díaz CM. 2003. An overview of the metallurgy of nickel–copper matte converting. In: Kongoli FK, Itagaki K, Yamauchi C, Sohn HY, editors. Yazawa international symposium metallurgical and materials processing: principles and technologies volume II: high–temperature metals production. San Diego: TMS; p. 113–129.
  • Warner AEM, Díaz CM, Dalvi AD, Mackey PJ, Tarasov AV, Jones RT. 2007. JOM world nonferrous smelter survey part IV: nickel: sulfide. JOM. 59(4):58–72. doi: 10.1007/s11837-007-0056-x
  • Warner AEM, Liu J, Javor F, Lawson R, Shellshear W, Hoang T, Falcioni R. 2005. Developments in Peirce–Smith converting at Inco’s Copper Cliff smelter during the last 35 years. In: Ross A, Warner T, Scholey K, editors. Converter and fire refining practice. San Francisco, CA: TMS; p. 27–43.
  • Wicks JN. 2000. Notes on: Smelter and Converter practice at Waterval Smelter: process, challenges and innovations. SAIMM Workshop: Developments in Non-Ferrous Metallurgy, Cape Town, South Africa; p. 1–10.
  • Yazawa A, Nakazawa S. 1998. Comparisons between copper, lead and nickel. smelting processes from thermodynamic viewpoints. In: Asteljoki JA, Stephens RL, editor. Sulfide smelting ‘98: current and future practices. San Antonio, TX: TMS; Warrendale, PA, p. 39–48.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.