Cobalt distribution during copper matte smelting
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INTRODUCTION
MOVING toward operating in a sustainable manner is now an obligation on all companies processing raw materials. In its simplest form, sustainable development is that which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.[1] Sustainable development involves the simultaneous pursuit and integration of economic prosperity, environmental integrity, and social equity. All industry sectors perform against this triple bottom line as the framework for decision making and for identifying best practices. With gradually decreasing ore grades leading to ever lowered income, the minerals industry is always seeking to improve the margin per tonne of ore processed. The presence of many minor elements within a base metal production circuit provides opportunities for increased revenue via by-product production but may also induce extra costs for impurity management. The effects of minerals and metal products on the environment and human health, both positive and negative, also need to be assessed throughout all phases of the mineral life cycle.[2] Life cycle analysis is an example of a tool for assessing the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product. In relation to minerals processing, Ayres et al.[3] refers to the “cradle” as the mine, the “grave” as the ultimate disposal site, and recycling as analogous to “reincarnation,” in the sense that it is the beginning of a second life. By definition, it may be argued that there is no grave for metals because they are chemical elements. It is the challenge to each generation of metallurgists to ensure that the resources put into the extraction of metals are well preserved for future generations. Increasing recoveries during processing, lowered production costs, end of life management, and managed disposal are some of the tools for integrated resource and waste management. T.S. KHO, Postgraduate Student, and D.R. SWINBOURNE, Associate Professor and Head of School, are with the School of Civil & Chemical Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC 3001, Australia. Contact e-mail: [email protected] T. LEHNER, Manager, Research and Development, Boliden Mineral AB, S 932 81 Skelleftehamn, Sweden, is Adjunct Professor, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden. Manuscript submitted December 5, 2004. METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS B
Each stage in the life cycle involved with metals production leads to the concentration of the base metal in one phase, and its eventual recovery as a saleable metal product. Minor elements always accompany the base metal in the ore and they will distribute between the different phases during each stage of processing, where they constitute an additional resource. In this respect, the precautionary principle of sustainable development is subscribed to by many smelters, i.e., that the behavior of all elements entering the smelter needs to be quantified and understood, whether they are currently known to be useful or of environmental concern. In this way,
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